Citronella

Scientific Name:

• Java Citronella: Cymbopogon winterianus
• Ceylon Citronella: Cymbopogon nardus

Family: Gramineae Plant Part Used: Leaves

Uses of Citronella

1. Starting material for the production of geraniol and citronellal.
2. Used in perfumery, soaps, and cosmetics.
3. Essential in the preparation of detergents, household cleaners, insecticides, and polishes.
4. Used in pharmaceuticals.
5. Employed in the flavoring industry.
6. Acts as an ingredient in deodorants, mosquito repellent creams, and allied products.
7. Spent grass is utilized in paper preparation and as fuel.

Soil Requirement

• Prefers soils rich in humus with good water-holding capacity and drainage.
• Sandy loam soil is ideal.
• Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.5.
• Alkaline and waterlogged soils are detrimental to growth.

Climatic Requirements

• Requires a humid climate with warm temperatures.
• Well-distributed rainfall of 200-250 cm with 75-90% relative humidity is favorable.
• Poor growth is observed under shaded conditions.

Improved Varieties

1. RRL JOR-3-1970: Oil content – 46.2%.
2. IW 31243, IW 31245 (NBPGR, Delhi) – Java variety.
3. CIMAP/Bio 13.
4. Manjusha.
5. Mandakini.

Method of Propagation

• Propagated through slips due to irregularities in meiosis, leading to the absence of viable seeds.
• Slips are obtained from mature, healthy clumps.
• Each slip should have 2-3 tillers.
• Before planting, trim fibrous roots and leaves.
• 0.05 ha of a 1-4-year-old plantation is sufficient for providing slips for planting 1 ha of the main field.

Planting Time The onset of the monsoon or mid-rainy season (June – July) is the best time for planting.

Spacing and Planting Layout

• Transplantation is done on ridges and furrows.
• Spacing:
  • 60 cm x 90 cm (Plant population: 18,000 plants/ha)
  • 60 cm x 60 cm (Plant population: 28,000 plants/ha)

Weeding and Earthing Up

• Weeding is essential during the first 2-3 months until the plants are well-established.
• Earthing up should be done up to 4 months after planting.

Manuring and Fertilization

• Recommended dose: 200:80:80 kg NPK per hectare per year.
• Application of 8-10 tons of compost along with 60 kg P₂O₅ and 50 kg K₂O per hectare before planting.
• Nitrogen should be applied in 4 split doses for better crop growth.

Irrigation

• Frequent irrigation is essential for healthy crop growth.
• Irrigation intervals:
  • 15 days in winter.
  • 10 days in summer.

Harvesting

• First harvest: Six months after planting.
• Three cuttings can be obtained in the first year.
• Leaf blades contain more oil than sheaths; hence, harvesting is done 15-20 cm above the ground level.
• Optimum oil yield is obtained when the sixth leaf is well developed.
• After the first year, harvesting is done at 2.5-month intervals.
• The crop remains economical for 4-5 years.

Yield

Herbage Yield:

• First year: 25-30 t/ha/year
• Second year: 40-45 t/ha/year

Oil Yield:

• First year: 200-300 kg/ha
• Second year: 320-450 kg/ha

Oil Constituents

• Citronellal: 32-45%
• Geraniol: 12-18%
• Citronellol: 11-15%
• Geranyl acetate: 3-8%