Characteristic and variability of important genotypes of bael (Aegle marmelos L. Correa) using chemical composition and leaf morphology

Bael (Aegle marmelos L. Correa), family Rutaceae is a perennial fruit tree known for its important nutrients and traditional uses as medicine. This study was conducted on eight genotypes of bael to evaluate for physico-chemical composition of bael leaves. The results showed that the maximum size of leaf length, width and petiole were recorded in genotype NB-7 which was 13.43 cm, 7.90 cm and 6.76 cm, respectively with green colour. The content of essential oil obtained from leaves of different genotypes of Aegle marmelos ranged from 0.40-0.62%. The maximum oil content was found in NB-9 (0.62%) followed by NB-5 (0.60%), NB-17 (0.58%), Pant Sujata (0.51%), NB-16 (0.47%), Pant Aparna (0.43%), NB-7 (0.41%), and NB-4 (0.40%). GC and GC-MS were used to analyse the essential oils in order to characterise and determine the percentage of different volatile secondary metabolites. NB-16 (87.83%), NB-9 (83.75%), NB-5 (80.91%), Pant Sujata (76.83%), NB-7 (71.31%), NB-4 (50.46%), NB-17 (49.27%), and Pant Aparna (47.47%) were the genotypes with the highest percentages of limonene. The other notable compounds in studied genotypes, viz. Pant Aparna and NB-17 were α-phellandrene (28.0% and 25.15%), α-pinene (6.74% and 5.36%), and (E)-β-ocimene (5.15% and 3.80%). On the other hand, (E)-β-ocimene (21.81%), β-caryophyllene (6.76%), and (Z)-β-ocimene (4.35%) were presented in NB-4. The present study demonstrated significant genotype-dependent variability in the content and essential oil composition of A. marmelos.