natureherbs
New Member
Plant Description
It is a tufted aromatic perennial herb with fibrous roots, erect over 2 m tall, with smooth leaves and bearing a large inflorescence.
Soil
The species has been found to grow well under varying soil conditions, but the sandy loam soil with abundant organic matter is the most suitable. Heavy clay soils and sandy soils do not support good growth of the plant. The plant has been found to grow well under a pH range of 5.8-6.0. Although 180-120 m altitude is optimum, the plants are reported to grow well at the altitudes between 1000-1500 m.
[video=youtube_share;aQG_y07Reg4]http://youtu.be/aQG_y07Reg4[/video]
Varieties
Mandakini
Clonal selection, gives a little less herb yield (35 t/ha) and oils (118 kg/ha). the variety is suitable for hills and Tarai tracts of Himalayas.
Manjusha
Clonal selection, gives a herbage yield of 43 tons/ha. and 150 kg/ha of oil per annum.
The variety is suitable for indo-gangetic plains.
Manjiri
It is an elite mutant clone of Manjusha M3-8. It has been found to possess 50-90% more oil, high cirtonellol and low elemol content. It has profuse tillering and rapid growing ability thus producing a high herb yields.
Bio-13, Java-2, Jorhat-2
High yielding varieties for the southern and eastern India.
Propagation
Citronella is a perennial grass, however, it does not produce viable seeds, therefore, the species can be propagated only vegetatively by slips. This is achieved by splitting well-grown clumps. It has been observed that an year old clump yields on an average about 50 slips. The clump is gently separated into a number of slips and each slip contains 1-3 tillers. These slips are the unit of propagation and on planting establish themselves as plants or bushes. Fibrous roots and leaves should be trimmed off the slips before planting.
Season of Planting
Although the plantation of Java citronella can be initiated anytime during the year, onset of monsoon is the best time. The land should be prepared to fine tilth by discing and tilling. There should be enough moisture in the field at the time of planting.
Spacing
The slips should be planted at a distance of 60 cm x 60 cm apart. However, in areas where the soil is very fertile and the climatic conditions support luxurious growth, a spacing of 90 cm x 90 cm may be followed.
Harvesting
Citronella is cultivated for essential oil. Although, all the plant parts contain oil, leaves contain the maximum amount of oil. Therefore, only the leaves should be harvested. Harvesting is done by sharp sickle at about 20-45cm above the ground. The number of harvests, which can be taken during a year, depends upon the growth of the plants. Under favourable conditions, upto 4 harvests can be obtained in a year. The leaves are ready for first harvest, about 6 months after planting. The second and subsequent harvests can be taken thereafter at 2.5 -3 months interval. Harvesting too soon and too late affects the quality of oil adversely. The delay also causes the leaves to dry up resulting in decrease in yield of oil. While harvesting, only the leaf blade should be cut and the sheath should be left. This is because the sheath contains only little and poor quality oil. Flowering should be discouraged as it causes aging in plants and reduces their life span. The same schedule of harvesting is to be followed during second and subsequent years. The Java citronella plantations remain productive for 5-6 years but the yield of leaves and oil is highest during second and third years, after which it starts decreasing. It is recommended that the plantation should be uprooted after 3-4 years and rotated with some small legume species. Horsegram is a very good rotational crop in south, cowpea or sunhemp (Crotalaria species) is recommended for north Indian plains.
Yield
On an average, the oil content is about 1% on the basis of fresh weight of leaves. Depending upon the nature of growth, the yield of fresh leaves is about 15-20 tonnes/ha in the first year and 20-25 tonnes/ha in the second as well as in the third year, after which the yield declines. The yield of oil obtained during the first year is about 100 kg/ha and 150 kg/ha during second and third years. Under very favourable conditions, yield of 200-250 kg oil/ha can be obtained.
Uses
The oil is used mostly in perfumery, both directly and indirectly. Soaps, soap flakes, detergents, household cleansers, technical products, insecticides, etc are often perfumed exclusively with this oil. It is also a valuable constituent in perfumery for soaps and detergents.