World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 9 (5): 389-396, 2013 ISSN 1817-3047 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjas.2013.9.5.14065 Corresponding Author: Sami A. Metwally, Ornamental Plant and Woody Trees Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. 389 Effect of Different Water Regimes Interacted with Zinc on Growth and Chemical Composition of Geranium Sami A. Metwally, Mohamed S. Shaheen, 1 2 Sharbat L. Mohamed and Bedour H. Abou- Leila 3 3 Department of Woody Trees and Ornamental Plant, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt 1 Department of Aroma Chemistry of Flavour, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt 2 Department of Field Irrigation Water Relations, National Research Centre, Egypt 3 Abstract: This investigation was carried out at the greenhouse of National Research Centre, Egypt to study the response of Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) to different levels of soil moisture and zinc treatments. The results indicated that, plant growth i.e. plant height (cm), branches number and shoot fresh weight decreased with irrigation plants after depletion of more or less 50% of field capacity. Drought increase essential oil % and decreased oil yield. Zinc 1000 ppm proved to be affective in increasing the yield of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil. The volatile profile of odorous parts of the plant was analyzed by GC/MS. The major compounds in essential oils were oxygenated monoterpenes with geraniol (54, 12%) at 1000 ppm of zinc. Subjecting Pelargonium graveolens to 30 % depletion of field capacity increased the constituent geraniol with (34, 73%),while under water stress 70% depletion of field capacity germacrone was increased. Key words: Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.) Growth Essential oil Soil moisture Zinc. INTRODUCTION (menthone). Literature survey revealed that there is no Geranium plant (Pelargonium graveolens L.), family graveolens L. essential oil cultivated in Egypt. Geraniaceae used as ornamental plant and reported to Water regime is one of the great important factors have several folkloric medicinal applications. It cultivated that affect on growth and oil production, the availability mainly for production of oil which is of commercial value and supply of soil moisture not only governed the rate and in its economic with rose oil. Increasing geranium and type of growth but also commanded the availability growth and oil yield could be achieved by improving of plant nutrients. At the same time excessive irrigation culture treatments. The essential oil fraction of this plant resulted in more vegetative with no additional yield [4]. is widely and extensively used in cosmetic industry, in Water stress resulted in significant reduction of fresh and aromatherapy and as flavouring for foods due to its dry matter and essential oil of Japonica mint [3]. While, unique strong rose-like fragrance [1]. It is one of the best Hendawy and Khalid [5] reported that, essential oil, total skincare oils because it is good in opening skin pores and carbohydrates and proline content were pronouncedly cleaning oily complexions. Other uses of geranium increased with increasing stress of Salvia officinalis L. essential oil that are becoming increasingly popular (sag) plant. Also, Shao et al. [6] mentioned that water include the treatment of dysentery, hemorrhoids, stress showed a depressive effect on growth of Ocimum, inflammation, heavy menstrual flows and even cancer [2]. while it has increasing effect on essential oil percentage. Misra and Srivastava [3] reported that, there are These results confirmed by Khalid [7] on Ocimum sp. and significant variations in the composition of the oil of Tawfic [8] on Mung bean. Zinc fertilizers as foliar was Pelargonium graveolens L. depending on cultivars and suggested specially with Egyptian alkaline soil, where its culture conditions; all of essential oils of this specimen availability is relatively low. The positive effect of zinc on are rich in monoterpene alcohol (geraniol) and/or ketone growth and oil production was reported by Nasiri et al. [9] report on essential oil composition of Pelargonium