RANI LAKSHMI BAI CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

Assignment
on:
Citronella
COURSE NAME: CROP PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY-II (RABI)

COURSE CODE: APA 205 2(1+1)

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Dr. Anil Kumar Rai Shalini Shukla

B.Sc(hons.)Ag2nd year

Ag/063/17
 INTRODUCTION:

Java citronella is an aromatic grass belonging to family Poaceae.

Essential oil “oil of citronella” is obtained by steam distillation.
It is also used as a source of imported perfumery chemicals like citronellal,
Citronellol and Geraniol.
Due to presence of these chemicals it is being used in soap, toiletries,
mosquito repellents, and perfumery, cosmetic and flavouring industries
throughout the world.

CLASSIFICATION:

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION:

 Both the Java and Ceylon type have originated from managrass of Ceylon, which occurs
today in two wild forms:- C. nardus var.linnael (typicus) and C. nardus var.confertiflorus.
 The java citronella which is called Mahapengeri in Ceylon is the result of selection from the
Ceylon citronella.
 It is distributed in tropical and subtropical countries like India, Taiwan, Gautermala,
Honduras, Malaysia and Brazil.
 THE NBRI, LUCKNOW INTRODUCED CITRONELLA TO INDIA.
 AREA & PRODUCTION

india; 120

world; 2500

 At present the world production of citronella oil is approximately 2000-2500t.

 India produces about 120 t oil annually.
 The important citronella growing states in our country are: Assam, Gujarat, Jammu,
Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, west Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

SOIL:

 Sandy loam soil rich with organic matter has been found most suitable for citronella crop.
 Heavy clay and sandy soils are not conducive for good growth.
 A pH range of 5.0 – 8.0 has been found good, but pH of around 6.0 is most suitable.
 It will be good under tropical and sub- tropical conditions with a high rainfall (200-250cm)
and high humidity.
 Good drainage should be preferred.
 Alkaline water logged soils are detrimental for crop growth.

FIELD PREPARATION:

 Desired fine tilth is obtained by ploughing and harrowing.

 The field is laid out in 6m x 6m size beds, providing irrigation channels.
 Ridges and furrows are made at 60cm intervals.

SEEDS AND PLANTING:

 Citronella flowers profusely in South India at higher altitudes and sporadically in the plains of
north and north eastern regions.
 
The viable seeds are not produced because of irregularities in meiosis.
 Therefore the species is only propagated only by vegetatively.
 It can be propagated through slips.
 About 28,000 slips at a spacing of 60cm x 45cm in ridges can be planted.
 The bush is gently dug out and separated into a number of slips and each slip contain 1-3
tillers.
 The fibrous roots and leaves should be trimmed out off before plnting.
 Vegetative propagation by clumps, usually an acre of java citronella can provide enough
material for 10 acres of land.
 Citronella plantation can last for 5 years and it is necessary to maintain fertility of soil.
 Onset of monsoon or at middle of rainy season (June-July) is considered as best planting time.
 The seedlings/saplings/slips can be transplanted on ridges and furrows.
 A planting distance of 60cm x 90cm can be adopted.
 This will accommodate 18,000 plants/Ha.
 It is observed that one year old on an average gives about 50 slips.

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT:

 Usually 8-10 tonnes of compost mixed with 40 kg p2o5, and 40 kg k2o/ha before
plantation.80-100kg/ha per year should be applied in 4 splits.
 The CMAP, Lucknow has recommended a spray of 0.5% Fe through ferrous sulphate+
citric acid to check the spread of chlorosis.

WATER MANAGEMENT:

For healthy crop growth it should be irrigated frequently.

This crop uses large amount of water.
Irrigation interval of 15 days in winters and 10 days in summers is required for good yield.
Life irrigation is given at 3rd day.
Under Karnataka conditions about 8-10 irrigations are required in the dry period.
 WEED MANAGEMENT:

 Citronella plantations should be kept wed free.

 Weeding is necessary for the first 23 months till the planting material get established.
 1-2 weeding at the initial stages and earthing up after each harvest.

HARVESTING AND YIELD:

 Three cuttings may be obtained in the first year commencing 6 months after panting
 Leaf blade contain more oil than sheath and hence harvesting is done 15-20cm above the
ground level.
 Optimum oil yield is obtained when the sixth leaf is well developed.
 After 1 year harvesting is needed at 2.5 months interval.
 Oil extraction is done after shade drying the leaves for one day.
 The herbage yield is about 20-30 t/ha/year.
 Oil is extracted after distillation.
 The oil content ranges from 0.2-0.3%.

OIL YIELD:

 1st year: 50-100kg/ha

 2nd year: 100-150kg/ha
 5th year: 250-300kg/ha
 PEST AND DISEASES:

o Generally leaf blight and anthracnose affect citronella.

o Dithane M-45 or Z-78 sprays control leaf blight and anthracnose can be controlled by
application of dithiocarbamate.

VARIETIES:

 JORHAT C-2, JAVA -2, CIMAP-BIO-13 are high yielding varieties (South and East India).
 MANJUSHA and MANDAKINI- (CIMAP Lucknow- northern plains).
 MANJARI - erect growing herb.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE:

 Mainly grown for its oil.

 Oil is a good mosquito and bug repellent.
 REFERENCES:

1. Agriinfo.in
2. https://www.shambhala.com
3. Tnau Agritech Portal
4. Eagriculture