Hello Sir
Lemongrass
The plants are hardy and grow under a variety of conditions. The most ideal conditions are a warm and humid climate with, plenty of sunshine and rainfall of 250-280 cm per annum, uniformly distributed. Regarding the soil, it can be grown from poor soils, in the hill slopes. Soil pH ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 is ideal. As it has good soil binding nature, they can be grown as vegetative cover over naked, eroded slopes.
Nursery:The soil should be well pulverized for forming the seed bed and it should be a raised bed one. Leaf mould and farm yard manure are also added to the soil while forming the bed. 15-20 kg of seeds are required for raising seedlings for one hectare. Seeds are sown in lines drawn at 10 cm interval mthe beds and -covered with cut grass materials when the seedlings are about 2 months old or, about 12 to 15 cm high, they are ready for transplanting.
Field Preparations:The land is cleared of the underground vegetations and pits of 5 cm cube are made at a spacing of 15 x 19 cm. Splits from old clumps can also be used for propagations.
Manures and Fertilizers: The Aromatic Plants Research Station, Odakkali (Kerala) recommends 100 kg of N/ha.
Under North East conditions, application of 60 kg N, 50 kg P and 35 kg K is recommended per hectare.
Harvesting of Lemon Grass:Lemon grass comes to harvest 90 days after planting and subsequently it is harvested at 50-55 days interval.. The grass is cut 10 cm above the ground level and 5-6 cuttings can be taken in a year subject to the climatic conditions. Depending upon the soil and climatic conditions, the crop can be retained in like field for 5 to 6 years.
On an average 25 kg of oil can be obtained from first year per hectare plantation and about 80 to 100 kg of oil per year from 2nd to 6th year if well maintained.
In North India, Jammu lemon grass (C. pendulus) is cultivated under irrigated condition as a source of citral. The cultural practices are almost similar to East Indian lemon grass. It is propagated exclusively by slips which are planted on flat beds. A spacing of 50 x 50 cm is adopted. A dose of 260 N, 80 kg P205 and 120 kg K20 per hectare is recommended in 3-4 split doses. The crop responds to irrigation especially during hot summer months.
For Citronella
Climate: Humid climate with warm temperature with well distributed rainfall favours growth of Citronella.
Soil:ide range of soil conditions is suitable for cultivation of Citronella. Soils rich in humus having good water holding capacity and good drainage should be preferred. Alkaline water logged soils are detrimental for crop growth.
Propagation: Vegetatively propagated with clumss, usually an acre of Java Citronella can provide enough material for 10 acres of land. Citronella plantation lasts for 5 years and it is necessary to maintain fertility of soil.
Planting Time: Onset of monsoon or at the middle of rainy season i.e. June - July
Spacing:The seedlings or saplings or slips can be transplanted on ridges and furrows. The planting distance of 60 x 90 sq. cm can be adopted. This will accommodate 18,000 plants/ha.
Improved Varieties: Bio 13, Manjusha, Mandakini.
Weeding: Weeding is necessary for the first 23 months till the planting material get established.
Manuring: Usually 8-10 tons of compost mixed with 40 kg P205 and 40 kg K20 per hectare before plantation. After plantation 80-1.00 kg N/ha per year should be applied in 4 splits.
Irrigation:For healthy crop growth it should be irrigated frequently. This crop uses large amount of water. Irrigation interval of 15 days in winter and 10 days in summer is required for good yield.
Pests and Diseases:Generally leaf blight and Arithracnose affect Citronella. DithaneM-45 or Z-78: sprays control leaf blight However, amthracnose can be controlled by application of Dithiocarbamate.
Harvesting: Three cuttings may be obtained in the first year commencing 6 months after planting. Leaf blades contain more oil than sheath and hence harvesting is done 15-20 cm above the ground level. Optimum oil yield is obtained when the sixth leaf is well developed. After 1 year the harvesting is needed at 2.5 months interval.
