Chemical and biological profiles of Lavandula luisieri essential oils from western Iberia Peninsula populations

The chemical composition and biological activity of wild Lavandula luisieri (Rozeira) Rivas-Martínez populations from the south Beira interior region in central eastern Portugal are described. The essential oils of these four populations have been analyzed by GC–MS, and their antifeedant effects evaluated against Spodoptera littoralis, Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi. Relative concentration data (% values) was subjected to principal component and cluster analysis. Relative concentration data and antifeedant effects were subjected to a stepwise multiple regression analysis. Additionally, one of these populations has been adapted to experimental field cultivation.

Research highlights
► The essential oils from several L. luisieri populations from the western Iberian Peninsula populations show as a common major compound, trans-α-necrodyle acetate.
► The essential oil from the Penamacor population had strong insect antifeedant action and therefore was selected for cultivation.
► The essential oils from the cultivated samples maintained or improved their antifeedant effects respect to the wild population.