This document summarizes information about lemongrass oil, including its botanical name, production, cultivation parameters, uses, and trade. Lemongrass oil is extracted from Cymbopogon citratus grass through steam distillation. It grows in tropical climates with high sunlight and humidity. Common uses of lemongrass oil include use in insect repellents and as a preservative, pesticide, and culinary herb. Global production is around 1300 tonnes annually, with major producers including China, Indonesia, and India.

4. Lemon grass oil
 Cymbopogon citratus – Poaceae/ Graminae
 citronella grass/fever grass/gavati chaha

5.  Perfumery chemicals such as citronellal,
citronellol, and geraniol
 soap, candles and incense, perfumery,
cosmetic, and flavouring industries throughout
the world.
 plant-based insect repellent-registered-1948
 citronella as a biopesticide with a non-toxic mode of
action
 use of citronella as an insecticide is prohibited under
the Biocidal Product Directive 2006

7. Cultivation parameters
 abundant sunshine and high humidity (70 % and
above).
 Temperature range between 200C to 380C
 well-distributed rainfall of 2000-3000 mm
 if irrigation is available citronella can be cultivated in
regions of low rainfall also.
 sandy loam soils
 Heavy clayey soils

9.  It does not tolerate water stagnation.
 ideal pH range is 5.0-7.0
 clumps of vigorously growing plant of 6-months to one
year old into slips
 beginning of monsoon (May-June)
 at 45 x 45 cm in plain land at 5-8 cm depth on
one side of the ridges
 60 x 45 cm in sloppy land
 weed competition in the initial stages
 N, P205, K20 @ 200:80:75 kg/ha/year

10.  During rainy season crop may suffer iron deficiency
 leaf chlorosis-rectified by spraying 0.25% ferrous
sulphate
 Harvesting
 In the first year only 3 cuts
 From second year onwards, 5-6 harvests
 The crop can be maintained economically for about 4
years.

11. Production
 Supercritical fluid extraction
 353.15K and 18.0 MPa of pressure. Yield-2.2 %
 Distillation of oil
 The grass is steam distilled for better recovery
 boiler, a distillation vessel, a condenser and two
receivers / separators.
 Distillation is completed within 3 hours

13. yield less than 200 kg oil/ha/year.
Rs.140/15ml

14. uses
 culinary herb in Asian cuisine
 subtle citrus flavour dried and powdered or used fresh
 used in teas soups and curries
 poultry, fish, beef, and seafood
 often used as a tea in African countries
 Lemongrass oil is used as a pesticide and a preservative
 lemongrass oil has antifungal properties
 ability to repel some insects, such as mosquitoes
 no toxicity when used as a topical insect repellent,
 lure to attract honey bees
 pheromone created by the honeybee's Nasonov gland
 is effective in calming barking dogs

15.  grow to about 2 m (6.6 ft) and have magenta-colored
base stems.
 used in soaps, as an insect repellent
 insect sprays and candles, and in aromatherapy
 in home gardens to ward off insects such as whitefly
adults
 gavati chaha (गवती चहा)
 herbal 'soup' used against coughs, colds

16.  put on the ancient palm-leaf manuscripts found in
India as a preservative.
 It is used at the Oriental Research Institute Mysore
 French Institute of Pondicherry

17. Trade
 world production of citronella oil is approximately
1300 tonnes
 China and Indonesia - producing 40 percent
 Taiwan, Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil, Sri Lanka,
India, Argentina, Ecuador, Jamaica, Madagascar,
Mexico, and South Africa.
 natural citronella oil has been eroded by chemicals
synthesised from turpentine

18. Indian trade
Assam
10,000 hectare
America biggest importer
Japan biggest importer in Asia.
2000 years back/ Distillation starts 1890
During 1950 India produce1800 tonnes/year.
Currently world production 800-1300 tonnes/Y
Listea cubeba/ synthetic citral- china
India major player in production- 80% exported.
Guatemala, China, Mexico, Bangladesh

19.  Current world production 1300 tonnes with India
350 tonnes
 In India 3000 hectares

20. Thank you