Lemon scented gum

• Scientific name: Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.and Eucalyptus globulus var. globules

a. Environment:

• Tropical and subtropical climate.
• High winds injure the plant.
• Drought tolerance plant.

b. Cultivation:

• Preparation of Land:- 1-2 deep ploughings, 1-harrowing and proper leveling drainage.
• Preparation of pit:- 1m x1m x 1m.
• Transplanting: June – July – August after one month of sowing
• Sowing Season :- April – May in nursery bed.
• One month old seedlings with 2 to 4 pairs of leaves or about 20 – 30cm tall seedlings planted in the field or in pits.
• Spacing :- 120 x 90cm (Tall),45 x 30cm (Dwarf)

c. Management:

• Manures and Fertilizers:- 10 – 15 tons of FYM or compost / ha. NPK – 40:25:25kg / ha / year.
• Interculture:- Earthing up, weeding and hoeing is essential.
• Irrigation:- 8 – 10 irrigations.1 – 2 irrigation at early season.

d. Pruning:

• The terminal branches are cut to induce the plants to produce more lateral branches.
• First coppicing – 30 to 45cm above ground in 6 to 8 months old plants.
• 2nd coppicing – 4 to 5 months after 1st coppicing
• 3rd coppicing -80cm to 1m above the ground. Usually, coppicing is done in April and Oct.- November.

e. Harvesting:

• The leaves and terminal branch lets should be cut down.
• 3 harvests i.e. March, July and November can be taken per year.
• Yield:- From 3rd year onwards up to 10th years-30 – 40 tones of green herbs / h.
• The fresh herbs yield 0.75 to 2.0% of oil. The oil yield about 100 – 150kg/h

f. Chemical evaluation:

• The main constituent of the oil is ‘Citronella’ (80 -90%).
• Other chemicals, Geraniol, Cineole, Pinene, Sesquiterpene, Isopulegol, citronellol, citriodorol, guaiol.
• Actions:- Antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal,deodorant, expectorant, fungicidal, insecticidal.

g. Uses:

• The oil is used as a fragrance component in soaps detergents and perfumes
• Also used in room sprays and insect repellents.
• The oil is used in asthma; laryngitis, sore throat, colds, fevers and skin diseases.
• Construction purposes,
• The dry wood is also suitable for paper pulp industry and fuel.