CITRONELLA
Botanical Name :. Cymbopogon winterianus
Family: Gramineae
Origin : South East Asia
Geographical distribution
It is native to tropical areas of Asia. It is commercially grown in Indonesia, Java,
Burma, India and Sri Lanka. This crop is a recent introduction into India and its
cultivation is mainly done in the lower hills of Assam, in Karanataka and southern
Gujarat, covers about 2,000 hectares of area.
Economic importance
Citronella oil is one of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and stems of
different species of Cymbopogon (lemongrass). The main constituents of Citronella oil
are Citronellol (65%), Citronellal (12-49%) and Geraniol (14-24%). The oil is used
extensively in soap, candles, perfumes and other cosmetic properties. Citronella oil is
perhaps most famed for its insect repellent properties. It has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial,
anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal features.Citronella oil is a raw material for isolation of
above perfumery compounds.
Soil requirements
Citronella can be cultivated in light loam soils, rich in organic matter and well-drained
soils. It thrives best in humid tropical areas with moderately warm temperature and well
distributed rainfall.
Climatic requirements
Humid climate with warm temperature with well distributed rainfall favours growth of
Citronella.
Varieties: Bio 13, Manjusha, Mandakini.
Cultural practices:
(i) Land preparation: Plough 3-4 times. Land is laid out into ridges & furrows spaced at
60 cm.
(ii) Time of sowing: June-July
(iii) Method of sowing:By planting each slip at recommended spacing
(iv) Spacing: The planting distance of 60 cm x 90 cm can be adopted.
(v) Seed rate:28000 slips can be required for one ha of planting.
(vi) Manures and fertilizers: The crop requires FYM 10 t/ha and NPK at 25:40:40
kg/haas basal dose. 75 kg N/ha can be applied in 3 equal splits of 25 kg each at 3,
6 and 9 months after planting.
(vii) 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.
(viii) Interculturing and Weeding: One to two weeding at the initial stages and
earthing up after each harvest are required.
(ix) Diseases: Leaf blight
(x) Pests: Red spider mite, white fly
Plant Protection:
Diseases
Most important disease is leaf blight or Carbularia leaf blight caused by Carbularia eragrostidis.
This can be controlled by Carbendazim (Bavistin at 1.0g/liter) followed by Benomyl of
Benzimidazole group (Benlate 50 wp) @0.2% at 10 days interval.
Insect-pests
During dry season the crop may be affected by yellowing and crinkling disease (due to mites).
The emerging leaves become wrinkled and pale. It may fail to open and the part may die.
This may be controlled by spraying a mixture of Docofol (Kelthane) @ 2 ml/lit and Ethion
(Tafethion, 50 EC) @ 1 ml/lit along with a wetting agent like Triton AE or Enditron AE @
0.5 ml/lit. In the subsequent years stem borer and in rainfed condition termite may infest the
crop. These can be controlled by applying Furadan @ 20 kg/ha or by spraying 0.5 %
Dimethoate 400 to 500 kg Neem oil cake. The crop sometimes may show yellowing of
growing leaves indicating a mixed deficiency of Zinc, Molybdenum and Sulphur. Two or
three foliar sprays of a complete micro-nutrient mixture at fortnightly intervals are sufficient
to combat the deficiency
(xi) Harvesting: First harvest can be made in 4-6 months after planting then after 3-4
months.
Research Station: Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow
Yield: The herbage yield is about 20 - 30 t/ha/year. Oil is extracted by water
distillation. The oilcontent ranges from 0.2% to 0.3%.
Oil yield:
First year : 50 - 100 kg/ha
Second year : 100 - 150 kg/ha
Fifth year : 250 - 300 kg/ha
Distillation: Oil can be obtained by steam distillation from dried grass for 12-24 hours. Average recovery
of citronella oil is 1%. Yield is about 150-200 kg per hector. 16-20 tonnes of fresh herbage on distillation
it gives 100-150 kg of oil. The Indian market rate of citronella oil is Rs. 250-300 per kg.
