Citronella

• Scientific name: Cymbopogon winterianus

a. Environment:

• Hot and humid climate is preferred.
• Good sunshine and high rainfall
• A well – drained sandy loam to clayey – loam soil with rich organic matter
• pH ranging from 4.5 to 7.5.
• Water- logged soils hamper the growth.

b. Cultivation:

• Propagation:- Viable seeds and Rooted slips.
• The rooted slips contain 1 – 3 tillers.
• Preparation of land:- 1-2 ploughing, 1-disking, 1- harrowing and leveling the soil.
• However deep ploughing is needed. Free from weeds and stubbles.
• Seed rate:- 1.50- 2.5 kg/ha. Viable seeds should be used.
• Sowing Season:- Mainly June-July, anytime of the year if there is sufficient irrigation facility.

c. Management:

• 10-12 tons of FYM/Compost/ha.
• 80:40:40 or 120:50:50 kg of NPK/ha/year.
• Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied 2-4 split doses as top dressing.
• Interculture: – 2-4 weeding and hoeing
• Irrigation: – 10-12 irrigations. The crop is irrigated after every 10-15 days during the dry season.
• Diseases: Leaf blight, Anthracnose – spray Dithane M-45

d. Harvesting:

• 6-7 months after and then subsequent harvesting is done at 2-3 months intervals upto 4^th year
• Yield: -15-20 tons of fresh herbage in the first year. 25-30 tones/ha in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year.
• The oil yield:-75-100kg/ha. in the 1st year ; 150-200 kg/ha in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year.
• The yield of oil ranges from 0.5 to 1.2 percent while in rainy season, it is less and in dry season, the oil yield is none

e. Chemical evaluation:

• Chemical Constituents:-The main constituent is Geraniol.
• Besides, the oil consists of Citral, Citranellal, Linalool, Iso-pulegol,
• Actions:-Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, diuretic, febrifuge and tonic. The oil is used in flue, rheumatic pain and menstrual problems.

f. Uses:

• The oil is used in soaps, cosmetic, creams and perfumery.
• The oil is used in most major food categories including alcoholic and soft drinks.
• It is used as in insect repellent and deodorants.
• Used as insect repellents and aromatherapeutic agents (Leite et al., 1986;Shah, et al., 2011; Wijesekera , 1973)