Cymbopogon Martinii - Palmarosa Essential Oil

Palmarosa (Cymbopogon Martinii) Varieties Motia, Sofia, Tripta, Trishna, PRC-1, IW 31245, IW 3629, IW 3244, OPD-1, OPD-2, RRL (B)-77, Motia, Sofia and Tripta are the popular varieties under cultivation.

Soil and climate A well drained loamy soil rich in organic matter is suitable. It comes up well under tropical conditions with an annual rainfall of about 150 cm and tolerates upto a pH of 9.5.

Seeds and planting Through seeds The optimum seed rate is 2.5 kg of seeds/ha. The seeds are sown in raised nursery beds in lines at 15 - 20 cm apart. Transplant the seedlings after 3 - 4 weeks in ridges at a spacing of 60 x 60 cm during June - July.

Through slips Establishment will be poor as compared to seedlings. About 28,000 slips/ha will be required to plant at 60 x 60 cm spacing.

Manuring FYM 10 t/ha and NPK at 20:50:40 kg/ha are required as basal dose. Top dressing is done with N 15 kg/ha is applied in 3 splits at 3, 6 and 9 months after planting. Application of ZnSo4 25kg/ha will increase the yield.

Aftercultivation Give 1 - 2 weedings in the early stages and earth up after each harvest and top dressing.

Harvest The first harvest commences at 3 - 4 months of planting. Subsequent harvests are done at 3 - 4 months interval upto 5 years after which replanting has to be carried out. Cut the bush by leaving 10-15cm from the ground level. Shade dry the leaves for 2 to 3 days and then subject to steam distillation for oil extraction.