Agronomic practices on the biomass and essential oil yield of lemon grass: A potential aromatic crop
Abstract
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), an aromatic perennial grass native to tropical and subtropical regions, is renowned for its distinctive lemon fragrance and wide range of uses in culinary, medicinal, and industrial sectors. It is widely cultivated for its essential oil, which is rich in citral, the compound responsible for its lemony scent. This guide provides a detailed insight into the cultivation practices, climatic requirements, soil conditions, and economic aspects of growing lemongrass. Lemongrass offers several benefits to farmers and cultivators • High demand in the essential oil, cosmetics, and culinary industries. • Hardy nature, making it easy to cultivate in different types of soils and climates. • Medicinal properties: Lemongrass has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. • Low-maintenance crop, with relatively less water and fertilizer requirements • Crop can tolerant Saline soil up to 8.0 pH and water up to 2500 TDS. • It can continue for 5-7 years once planted. • One can Harvest 3-4 cuttings per year. • Nearly free from all diseases. • Requiring less water than other crops, it can also be grown rain-fed. • No one can cut and take away the grass as cow and Buffalo do not eat it. • Away from problem of handing Bulk produce from Farm to market. • With proper irrigation practices it can be also grown and recommended for undulant and barren lands.
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Species of lemongrass
There are two primary species of lemongrass cultivated for their commercial and medicinal value:
East Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus): Cultivated mainly in India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia, this species is primarily used for oil extraction.
2.
West Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): Native to South Asia, this species is primarily used in culinary applications and herbal remedies.
Improved varieties
Lemongrass "CKP-25, Krishna, CIM-Shikhar, Jor Lab-L8, Lemongrass "CPK-F2-38, RRL-16, Jama Rosa, Pragati, OD-19, OD-408, Praman.
Major chemical constituents
Citral (70-85%), CIS-Ocimene, Geraniol butyrate. pH range: The preferred pH for lemongrass cultivation is between 5.0 and 8.0. It can tolerate slightly acidic to alkaline soils.
Climatic requirements
Nutrient content: Lemongrass benefits from organic matter and nutrient-rich soil. Organic compost or farmyard manure should be incorporated into the soil before planting.
Propagation
Lemongrass is primarily propagated through vegetative methods since seeds are less effective for large-scale cultivation.
Division of Root Clumps:
The most common method is by dividing well-established root clumps. These clumps are separated into smaller sections (slips) each containing a one or few tillers and roots. Quality planting material required for transplantation in one acre of area is 25,000 and for one hectare 62,000 slips are sufficient.
Transplanting:
The rooted divisions (slips) are transplanted into the field once they develop a strong root system. This can be done directly in the field or in nurseries, depending on the climatic conditions.
Planting techniques
• Spacing: Proper spacing between plants is essential for their healthy growth. For large scale farming, plants should be spaced 40 cm apart in rows with the distance of 40-60 cm.
• Time of planting: Planting is generally done at the beginning of the rainy season or during months with adequate moisture to ensure successful root establishment. But it can be transplanted in any season of the year.
Irrigation
Lemongrass requires moderate water levels, especially during its early stages of growth. During dry periods, irrigation should be provided to maintain soil moisture. Irrigate the crop at intervals of 15-20 days, depending on the soil type and weather conditions.
Nutrient management
To maintain optimal plant growth and oil production, a balanced supply of nutrients is necessary:
Weed control
Weeding should be done manually or chemically during the first few months after planting, as young lemongrass plants are susceptible to weed competition. Mulching around the plants can also help in controlling weeds, retaining soil moisture, and reducing erosion.
Pests and diseases
Though relatively hardy, lemongrass can be affected by a few pests and diseases, such as: Leaf Blight: Caused by fungi, it leads to yellowing and browning of leaves. Prevent by applying appropriate fungicides and maintaining good field hygiene.
• Red Spider Mites: These small pests suck the sap from the leaves, causing them to dry up. Regular irrigation and organic pesticides can help manage mite infestations.
• Nematodes: Soil-borne nematodes can affect the root system, stunting growth. Treat the soil with organic amendments like neem cake to control nematode populations.
Harvesting and yield
1. Harvesting Time: Lemongrass can be harvested about 4-6 months after planting. The leaves and stalks are harvested when they reach a height of around 1-1.5 meters. Subsequent harvests can be done every 3-4 months.
Method:
The leaves are cut 10-15 cm above ground level using sharp tools. Care should be taken to avoid damaging the lower part of the plant, which will regrow after harvest. 3. Yield: On average, a well-maintained crop can yield around 30-40 tons of fresh leaves per hectare per year (> 50 tons in case of variety CKP-25) with oil recovery percentage of 0.4 to 1.0 and the average oil yield ranges between 200-300 kg per hectare.
Post-harvest management
After harvesting, the lemongrass leaves are processed to extract essential oil or used fresh/dried for various applications.
Essential Oil Extraction:
Lemongrass essential oil is extracted using steam distillation and hydro-distillation methods. Freshly harvested leaves are chopped and placed in a distillation chamber where the oil is extracted. The oil is collected, cooled, and filtered for impurities.
Drying:
If the leaves are intended for herbal teas or other culinary uses, they should be air-dried in the shade to preserve their aroma and flavor.
Oil distillation
Freshly harvested leaves are taken for the purpose of distillation.
During mild weather condition the harvested leaves can be spread in shade or left in field for 12 to 24 hours to make it semi-dry. This allows better packing of plant material in distillation stills and economises the consumption of fuel also. If the leaves are overgrown, then they may be chopped into pieces into distillation stills for better oil recovery. Distillation process is completed within 3 to 3.5 hours with boiler operated plant and it takes 4 to 5 hours with directly fire plant. Steam distillation or water distillation are done for recovery of oil from citronella leaves.
Uses of lemon oil
Lemon oil is widely used in perfume industry directly and indirectly.
It is used extensively in soaps, detergents, house-hold cleaner, mosquito cream, Agarbatti, tea blending etc. Oil also serves as starting material for certain important isolates such as Geraniol, Citronellol, these can be converted into some of most widely used aromatics. Oil contains â-ionone, which is precursor of Vitamin B12; it is also antibiotic, anti-flatulent. Citronella oil is used in cough syrup to remove muscle fatigue; it is also used for wound healing. The oil has very good aroma therapeutic properties and good medicinal properties.
Lemongrass oil was a traditional source of citral. This oil was used as a raw material for the manufacture of ionones and methyl ionones. Lemongrass oil has bactericidal properties. No limit is specified in the use of lemongrass oil in flavours and fragrances. However, citral has certain restrictions as per IFRA guidelines. Citral, the major component of essential oil in lemongrass, is commonly used in soaps, perfumes, detergents, cosmetics and candles. Most soaps and aftershaves with a fresh lime fragrance use citral. The essential oil is a popular ingredient in aromatherapy.
Economic aspects and market potential 1. Investment and Costs:
The initial investment in lemongrass cultivation includes costs for land preparation, planting materials, fertilizers, and irrigation setup. However, once established, the crop requires minimal maintenance and offers multiple harvests over several years.
Income:
Lemongrass is a highly profitable crop, especially for farmers who engage in oil extraction. The essential oil is used extensively in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and perfumery industries, making it a high-demand product.
Oil recovery percentage from fresh herbage ranges from 0.4% to 1.0%. We can produce annually 250 to 320 litters of oil per hectare.
Normally, Essential oil of lemon grass sells approximately Rs. 1200 to Rs. 1500 Per liter.
Depending on the cultivation, we can earn net profit Rs. 200,000 to 2,50,000 per hectare in the first year. In the improved variety, CKP-25 profits from Rs. 2,50,000-3,40,000 per year/hectare in the 2nd and subsequent years.
Market Opportunities:
There is an increasing global demand for natural essential oils and herbal products, creating ample market opportunities for lemongrass farmers. In addition to the essential oil market, dried lemongrass is also sold for herbal teas, culinary uses, and traditional medicine.
References
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- How to cite this article: Sahu K, Sarathi N. Agronomic practices on the biomass and essential oil yield of lemon grass: A potential aromatic crop. International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research. 2026;SP-10(10):123-125. doi: https://w ww.doi.org/10.33545/26174693.2026.v10.i10Sb.10267
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