Package of practices for cultivation of citronella
1. Package of Practices for Cultivation of Citronella
• B . N. : Cymbopogon winterianus
• Family : Poaceae
• CROMOSOME NO : 2n = 20, 40
• CENTER OF ORIGIN : Sri Lanka
2. Soil:
• Wide range of soil
conditions is suitable for
cultivation of Citronella.
• Soils rich in humus having
good water holding
capacity and good drainage
should be preferred.
• Alkaline water logged soils
are detrimental for crop
growth
• The ideal pH range is 5.0-
7.0
3. Climate:
• Citronella thrives well under the tropical and subtropical
conditions.
• It requires abundant moisture and sunshine for good
growth.
• A good rainfall of about 2000-2500 mm well spread over
the year high atmospheric humidity,
• Appear to influence the growth of the plant, yield and
quality of the oil favourably
4. Propagation :
Vegetatively propagated with clumss, usually an
acre of Java Citronella can provide enough material for 10 acres
of land. Citronella plantation lasts for 5 years and it is necessary
to maintain fertility of soil
5. Planting Time :
Onset of monsoon or at the middle of rainy season
i.e. June - July
Spacing :
• The seedlings or saplings or slips can be transplanted on
ridges and furrows.
• The planting distance of 60 x 90 sq. cm can be adopted.
• This will accommodate 18,000 plants/ha.
Improved Varieties :
Bio 13, Manjusha, Mandakini.
6. Manuring :
Usually 8-10 tons of compost mixed with 40 kg
P205 and 40 kg K20 per hectare before plantation. After plantation
80-1.00 kg N/ha per year should be applied in 4 splits.
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.
Weeding :
Weeding is necessary for the first 23 months till the
planting material get established.
7. Pests and Diseases :
Generally leaf blight and
Arithracnose affect Citronella. DithaneM-45 or Z-78: sprays control
leaf blight However, amthracnose can be controlled by application
of Dithiocarbamate
Harvesting :
Three cuttings may be obtained in the first year
commencing 6 months after planting. Leaf blades contain more oil
than sheath and hence harvesting is done 15-20 cm above the
ground level. Optimum oil yield is obtained when the sixth leaf is
well developed. After 1 year the harvesting is needed at 2.5
months interval
8. Yield :
The partially wilted herb yield is in the range of 20-30
t/ha. The average oil recovery is 1 %. Hence the oil yield is about
200-300 kg/ha/year. A crop under average management should
not yield less than 200 kg oil/ha/year
Uses :
• he oil is used mostly in perfumery, both directly and indirectly.
• Soaps, soap flakes, detergents, household cleansers,
technical products, insecticides, etc are often perfumed exclusively
with this oil.
• It is also a valuable constituent in perfumery for soaps and
detergents
