Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
Introduction
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is a perennial aromatic grass belonging to the Poaceae family. It is cultivated for its essential oil, which is rich in citral and widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and perfume industries.
Botanical Classification
- Botanical Name: Cymbopogon flexuosus (East Indian Lemongrass)
- Family: Poaceae
- Chromosome Number: 2n = 20
- Origin: India and Southeast Asia
Economic Importance
- Lemongrass essential oil contains citral (75-85%), used in:
- Pharmaceuticals (antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal).
- Cosmetics and perfumery (soaps, shampoos, deodorants).
- Food and beverages (flavors, herbal teas).
- Dried lemongrass leaves are used in medicines and herbal teas.
- The plant helps in soil conservation and reclamation.
Major Producing States in India
- Uttar Pradesh – Largest producer.
- Kerala – Traditional producer.
- Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam – Major growing regions.
Key Characteristics
- Growth Habit: Tall, tufted grass with slender, linear leaves.
- Height: Grows up to 1-1.5 meters.
- Root System: Fibrous roots that help in soil conservation.
- Leaves: Long, narrow, and aromatic when crushed.
- Flowers: Rarely flowers in cultivated conditions.
Climatic Requirements
- Temperature: 20°C – 35°C (optimum growth).
- Rainfall: 100-150 cm annually.
- Sunlight: Prefers full sunlight for higher oil yield.
- Drought Tolerance: Can tolerate dry conditions but prefers humid environments.
Soil Requirements
- Well-drained sandy loam to clay loam soil with good organic content.
- Soil pH: 5.0 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
- Tolerates saline and alkaline soils, making it ideal for wasteland reclamation.
Varities
- OD-19 – High oil content (0.5-0.8%), citral (85-90%), drought-tolerant.
- Krishna – Fast-growing, oil yield (0.6-0.8%), citral (78-85%), pest-resistant.
- Pragati – Suitable for warm climates, oil (0.5-0.7%), citral (75-80%).
- Praman – High biomass, long lifespan, oil (0.6-0.9%), citral (82-87%).
- Cauvery – Tropical variety, oil (0.5-0.7%), citral (76-80%).
- Jor Lab L-8 – Best for heavy rainfall areas, oil (0.6-0.75%), citral (80-85%).
- Sugandhi – Aromatic, ideal for Kerala & Karnataka, oil (0.6-0.8%), citral (75-85%).
- SD-68 – High-yielding, disease-resistant, oil (0.7-0.9%), citral (80-88%).
Propagation Methods
Lemongrass is propagated through:
- Seeds – Used for large-scale propagation but takes longer.
- Rooted Slips (Tillers) – Preferred method for commercial cultivation.
Land Preparation
- Deep ploughing (30 cm) to loosen soil.
- Addition of FYM or compost (10-15 tonnes/ha) to improve fertility.
- Formation of ridges and furrows for planting rooted slips.
Planting Time and Spacing
- Planting Season:
- June-July (main planting season in India).
- February-March (for irrigated areas).
- Spacing: 45 cm × 45 cm (row-to-row and plant-to-plant distance).
- Planting Depth: 3-5 cm deep.
- Seed Rate: 2.5-3 kg/ha (for seeds), 25,000-30,000 slips/ha (for tillers).
Nutrient Management
Nutrient | Recommended Dose (kg/ha) |
Nitrogen (N) | 100-120 kg |
Phosphorus (P₂O₅) | 40-50 kg |
Potassium (K₂O) | 40-50 kg |
Farmyard Manure (FYM) | 10-15 tonnes |
- Nitrogen is applied in split doses (after 30 and 60 days of planting).
- Phosphorus and Potassium applied as a basal dose.
- Micronutrient sprays (Zn, Fe) enhance oil yield.
Irrigation Management
- First irrigation immediately after planting.
- Requires 6-8 irrigations per year.
- Drought-resistant but needs moisture for good growth.
- Avoid water stagnation, which leads to root rot.
Weed and Pest Management
Weed Control
- Mulching with organic material reduces weed growth.
- Manual weeding every 30-45 days after planting.
- Pre-emergence herbicides like Pendimethalin (1 kg/ha) can be used.
Pest and Disease Management
Pest/Disease | Symptoms | Control Measures |
Shoot borer | Feeds on young shoots | Spray Neem oil (1%) or Chlorpyrifos (0.2%) |
Leaf blight (Helminthosporium) | Brown spots on leaves | Spray Mancozeb (0.2%) |
Rust (Puccinia spp.) | Yellow pustules on leaves | Use resistant varieties, Mancozeb (0.2%) |
Root rot (Fusarium spp.) | Wilting of plants | Improve drainage, treat soil with Trichoderma |
Harvesting and Yield
Harvesting Time
- First harvest: 90-100 days after planting.
- Subsequent harvests: Every 50-60 days.
- Harvest early in the morning for maximum oil content.
- Cut the crop 10-15 cm above ground level.
Yield
- Fresh herbage yield: 20-25 tonnes/ha
- Lemongrass oil yield: 100-150 kg/ha
Post-Harvest Processing
- Drying: Harvested leaves are wilted for 6-8 hours before oil extraction.
- Distillation: Steam distillation method is used to extract citral-rich lemongrass oil.
- Filtration & Storage: Filtered oil is stored in airtight containers.
Intercropping and Crop Rotation
- Intercropping: Can be grown with pulses (moong, urad), sugarcane, maize.
- Crop Rotation: Rotation with cereals or legumes maintains soil fertility.
