Abstract
The potential of Murraya exotica has never been fully exploited in Pakistan and very little work has been carried out as an important essential oil crop. In present study growth potential and phytochemical profile of M. exotica under Faisalabad agro- climatic conditions were explored. The nutrition effects on growth and flowers production of M. exotica were investigated. It was noted that values of different growth parameters significantly increased with increase in the fertilizer level whereas, maximum values of plant height (125.07 cm), number of branches (43.6), number of flowers (164.1), size of flowers (1.89 cm), fresh weight of flowers (23.6 g) and dry weight of flowers (7.39 g) were recorded in plants supplied with 20 g NPK/plant/month + 4 kg FYM/plant (T6). In addition, this also significantly enhanced the nutrient contents (N, P and K) and photosynthetic pigments in the flowers. Phytochemical analysis revealed increase in carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, alkaloids, flavonoids, proteins and free amino acids contents.