LEMON GRASS

1. INTRODUCTION
Lemon grass (Cymbopogan flexuosus) is a native aromatic tall sedge (family: Poaceae) which grows in many parts of
tropical and sub-tropical South East Asia and Africa. In India, it is cultivated along Western Ghats (Maharashtra,
Kerala), Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states besides foot-hills of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. It was introduced in
India about a century back and is now commercially cultivated in these States.
2. OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this report is to present a bankable one acre model for high quality commercial cultivation of the
crop.
3. BACKGROUND
3.1. Origin
Most of the species of lemon grass are native to South Asia, South-east Asia and Australia. The so called East Indian
lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) , also known as Malabar or Cochin grass is native to India , Sri Lanka, Burma
and Thailand ; for the related West Indian lemon grass (C. citratus ), a Malesian origin is generally assumed. Both the
species are today cultivated throughout tropical Asia.
3.2 Botanical Description
Lemon grass is tall, perennial sedge throwing up dense fasciclles of leaves from a short rhizome. The culm is stout,
erect, upto 1.8 meter high. Leaves are long, glaucous, green, linear tapering upwards and along the margins; ligule very
short; sheaths terete, those of the barren shoots widened and tightly clasping at the base, others narrow and separating. It
is a short day plant and produce profuse flowering in South India. The inflorescence is a long spike about one metre in
length. Flowers borne on decompound spatheate; panicles 30 to over 60 cm long.
3.3 Area and Production
At present, India grows this crop in 3,000 ha area, largely in states of Kerala, Karnataka, U.P. and Assam and the annual
production ranges between 300-350 t/annum.
3.4 Economic Importance
The oil is distilled from leaves and flowering tops of Lemon grass. The oil has strong lemon-like odour, due to high
percentage (over 75%) of citral in the oil. The characteristic smell of oil makes its use in scenting of soaps, detergents,
insect repellent preparations. However, the major use of oil is as a source of citral, which goes in perfumery, cosmetics,
beverages and is a starting material for manufacture of ionones, which produces vitamin A. The Citral rich oil has
germicidal, medicinal and flavouring properties. An allied species called West Indian lemon grass (C.citratus) has low
citral content in the oil and has meager trade in the country.
4. MARKET ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY
4.1 Demand and Supply Patterns
During early fifties India produced over 1800 t/annum of this oil and held monopoly both in production and
world trade. This situation no longer exists as Guatemala, China, Mexico; Bangladesh etc. have developed its
cultivation over large areas.
Currently the world production of oil of Lemon grass is around 600 t/annum. However, another 600 t of a substitute oil
viz., Litsea cubeba (rich in citral) is exported by China (price Rs.400/kg) which limits the scope for any faster growth in
export trade of lemon grass oil. Synthetic citral is also available which competes with this oil and natural citral in
market. The current price of oil is Rs.350 to 400/kg (price has increased in recent months). The price of citral varies
from Rs.500 to Rs.550/kg (vide Graph-I).
The trend in prices of oil both in the domestic and international markets during the five year period i.e. 1998-2002 are
depicted in the graph below. There are two markets for lemon grass oil presently viz., Cochin and Mumbai. The agents
of processing / exporting companies visit the production area, check up the quality of the crop and agree up a price with
the producer. The purchaser collects the produce at the site on agreed price and bears the cost of further transportation /
processing.
4.2 Import / Export Trends
India is the largest producer of lemon grass and about 80% of the produce is being exported. The essential oil is being
traditionally exported to West Europe, U.S.A. and Japan.
4.3 Analysis and Future Strategy

The country has evolved cv. Jamrosa through crossing lemon grass with an allied spp. which produces more robust
growth of the crop and the oil has higher citral content. Its annual production is around 20 to 25 tonnes. So far, our aim
has been to develop high citral bearing cultivars. Considering the bio-diversity in Cymbopogon spp. found in India;
some allied spp. have shown to contain high value of nerolidal and farnesol in the oil. Obviously, varieties with these
high value aroma compounds should be developed. The RRL (Jammu) has recently come out with a culture rich in
bisabalol (15-20%); this has to be upgraded to yield 35-40% of this aroma compound to fetch better return and develop
into monopoly item for export. Further, RRL (Jorhat) has published composition of Litsea kingii oil (native to North
East) containing 32.8% sabinine which is another aroma compound fairly valuable in trade. This should also receive
focus in cultivation and crop improvement in the country.
The oil of lemon grass has high percentage of terpenes (limonene and myrecene), beside menthyl heptenone,linalool,
geranyl acetate, nerol and geraniol left in the oil after extraction of citral. Obviously, we should produce these minor
fractions in high purity to fetch good price and market them separately. Further, citral can be converted into high value
compounds like cintronellal, geraniol, geranyl acid and geranyl nitride but the processes are governed by patents. We
should therefore make an attempt to develop our own methods for their production or trading houses be encouraged to
buy patents to produce these fractions of lemon grass oil in the country.
5. PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
5.1 Agro-climatic Requirements
The crop grows well in both tropical and subtropical climates at an elevation upto 900 m. (above m.s.l.). However, ideal
conditions for growing lemon grass are warm and humid climate with sufficient sunshine and 250-330 cm rainfall
per annum, evenly distributed over most part of the year. A temperature ranging from 20-30 0 C and good sunshine
throughout the year is conducive to high crop yield. Lemon grass can also be grown in semi-arid regions receiving low
to moderate rainfall.
Lemon grass can grow well over medium fertile soils and moderate irrigation. Well drained sandy loam is most suitable
for the growth of the plant . It can be grown on a variety of soils ranging from loam to poor laterite. Calcareous and
water logged soils should be avoided as they are unsuitable for cultivation.
5.2 Growing and Potential Belts
Lemon grass is widely cultivated in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu in the southern region, parts of Uttar
Pradesh and Uttaranchal in the northern region and Assam in the north-eastern region. At present, East Indian lemon
grass (C.flexuosus) is mainly cultivated in the western part of India.
It can be cultivated throughout Andhra Pradesh either as a rainfed or irrigated crop in poor and marginal soils,
wastelands and alkaline soils having pH 9.6.
5.3 Varieties
The varieties of lemon grass grown in the country include the following:
Table-1: Currently grown varieties and their description
Variety
Description
Sugandhi

It is adapted to a wide range of soil and climatic condition.

(OD 19)

A red stemmed variety with plant height 1 to 1.75 m and profuse tillering.

The oil yield ranges from 80 to 100 kg per hectare with 85-88 per cent of total
citral produced under rain-fed conditions (with life saving irrigation).
Pragati

It is a tall growing variety with dark purple leaf sheath suitable for north
Indian Plains and tarai belt of subtropical and tropical climate.

Average oil content is 0.63 per cent with 75-82 per cent citral.

Praman

Evolved through clonal selection and belong to species C. pendulus.

It is a medium sized variety with erect leaves and profuse tillering.
The oil yield is high with 82 per cent citral.

Jama Rosa

Very hardy with vigorous growth.

The variety yields about 35 tonnes of herbage per ha. containing 0.4 % oil(FWB).
The variety yields upto 300kg oil in 4-5 cuts in 16-18 months growing period.

RRL 16

Average herbage yield of this variety is 15 to 20 tonnes/hectare/annum giving 100 to

110 kg oil.
The oil content varies from 0.6 to 0.8 per cent (fresh weight basis) with 80 per cent

citral.

CKP 25

Other
Varieties

A hybrid between C.khasianum X C.pendulus.

Gives 60 t/ha herbage in North Indian plains under irrigation.

The oil contains 82.85% citral.

OD-408, Kaveri
(OD-408 is white stemmed selection from OD-19 and is an improvement in yield in
terms of oil and citral content.
Kaveri needs high soil moisture to produce luxuriant growth and is evolved for river
valley tracts.)

Krishna, Pragati and Cauvery are improved varieties of lemongrass suitable for cultivation in Andhra Pradesh. OD-19
is an old and established variety.
5.4 Propagation
The crop is best propagated through seed raised in nurseries, 2.5 kg. of the fresh seed produces enough seedling for
planting one ha. of land. It is also vegetatively propagated by splitting the clumps into slips. These are planted at a
spacing of 60x80 cm. About 55,000 slips are required for one ha of planting.
5.5 Seed Production
The crop flowers during November-December and seeds mature in next two months viz. February-March (dry season
in Kerala). For collection of seeds, the plants are maintained in good health as the yield of seeds from plants subjected
to regular harvest is low. On an average, a healthy plant gives about 100-200 g of seeds. At the time of seed collection,
the whole inflorescence is cut and sun dried for 2-3 days. These are then threshed and seeds are again dried in the sun
and the seed remain attached with fluffy mass which is removed by beating of seed bag at sowing. These dry seed lots
are stored in gunny bags lined with polythene. The seeds lose their viability if stored for a period more than one year.
5.6 Nursery Raising
The transplanting of nursery raised seedlings is found to be superior to direct sowing of seeds. The seeds are sown by
hand on well prepared raised beds of 1m to 1.5m width at the onset of monsoon and are covered with a thin layer of
soil. Although 2.5 kg. of seed produce enough seedlings, the seed rate is 4-5kg/ha. The bed should be watered
immediately after sowing and care should be taken to maintain adequate moisture in the soil. Seed germinates in 5-6
days and the seedlings are ready for transplanting after a period of 60 days.
5.7 Planting
Seedlings are planted at a distance of 40x40 cm., 40x30 cm., 40x60 cm. apart depending upon fertility of land and
inter-culture implements used. It is better to plant on ridges in areas receiving high rainfall. In case of rooted slips one or
two slips are placed into each hole, about 15 cm deep.
5.8 Irrigation
The newly bred varieties of lemongrass have water requirement for optimum yield. In northern India, 4-6 irrigations are
given during summer months (February- June). If rains are erratic, the field is irrigated at an interval of 3 days during
the first month and 7 - 10 day intervals subsequently. After the establishment of plants, irrigation schedule is adjusted
depending on water holding capacity of the soil and weather conditions.
5.9 Nutrition
It is recommended to apply 30 kg nitrogen, 30 kg P 2 O5 and 30 kg K2O per ha basal dose at the time of planting.
Remaining nitrogen (60 to 90 kg) can be applied as top-dressing in 3 to 4 split doses during the growing season. In soils
having low fertility levels, the dose of nitrogen should be increased. In Zinc deficient soils of Uttar Pradesh, 25 - 60 kg
Zinc sulphate per ha. is applied. Lemongrass crop is free from most pests or disease but may require micronutrients over
marginal lands.
5.10 Intercultural Operations
The field is kept weed free for the first 3 - 4 months after plating. Similarly, weeding cum hoeing is done up to 1 month,
after every harvest. Generally, 2-3 weedings are necessary during a year. In row-planted crops, inter-operations can be
done by a tractor-drawn cultivator or hand-hoe. Distillation waste of this crop is applied as organic mulch @ 3 tonnes/ha
and this is found effective for controlling weeds in the crop. Among herbicides, Diuron @ 1.5 kg ai/ha and Oxyfluorfen
@ 0.5 kg ai/ha are effective for weed control. Lemongrass on establishment smoothen weeds.

5.11Plant Protection Measures

There are several pests and diseases recorded on the crop but these cause only minor damage and loss of crop is usually
insignificant in value.
5.11.1 Insect Pests
Insects
Stem
Boring
Caterpillar

Nematodes

5.11.2 Diseases
Name of disease
Red Leaf Spot

Scientific name of
insects
Chilotrea sp.

Tylenchorhynchus
vulgaris and allied
sp. where soil is the
source
Causal organism
Colletotrichum
graminicola

Leaf Blight

Curvularia
andropogonis

Little Leaf or Grassy

Shoot

Balansia
sclerotica

Nature of damage

Control

It feeds on the stem.

The central leaf gets dried up
and ultimately the whole shoot
dies, resulting in a significant
reduction in the yield of the grass.

Application
of Folidol E
605.

Application
of
Fenamiphos
@11.2kg/ha.

The plants get infected.

Symptoms

Brown spots with

concentric rings in the centre
appearing on the lower
surface of the leaves.

The spots may be formed

on leaf sheaths and midrib.
Later the spots merge to form
bigger patches and the
affected leaves dry away.

Control

Two sprays of
Bavistin 0.1% just after
the appearance of the
disease at an interval of
20 days .

Three sprays of
Dithane M-45 (0.2%) at
an interval of 10-12
days.

Minute, circular, reddish

brown spots mostly on the
margins and tip of the leaves
which merge to form elongated
reddish brown necrotic lesions
resulting in premature drying
of leaves, older leaves are
more susceptible to infection.

Stunted
growth

Little leaf formation in

place of normal inflorescence.

Spraying Dithane Z78 (0.2%) or 0.3%

Copper oxychloride at
an interval of 15 days.

Spraying Dithane
Z-78
(0.3%)
just
before flowering stage
at an interval of 10-12
days.

Use of fresh
seedlings
for
plantation and crop
rotation.

5.12 Harvesting and Yield

Lemongrass flowers in winter season. The first harvest is generally obtained after 4 to 6 months of transplanting
seedlings. Subsequent harvests are done at intervals of 60-70 days depending upon the fertility of the soil and other
seasonal factors. Under normal conditions, three harvests are possible during the first year, and 3-4 in subsequent years,
depending on the management practices followed. Harvesting is done with the help of sickles, the plants are cut 10 cm
above ground-level and allowed to wilt in the field, before transporting to the distillation site.

Depending upon soil and climatic conditions, plantation lasts on an average, for 3-4 years only. The yield of oil is less
during the first year but it increases in the second year and reaches a maximum in the third year; after this, the yield
declines. On an average, 25 to 30 tonnes of fresh herbage are harvested per hectare per annum from 4 -6 cuttings, which
yields about 80 kg of oil. Under irrigated conditions from newly bred varieties an oil yield of 100-150 kg/ha is obtained.
The fresh herb contains on an average 0.3% oil and thick stems are removed before distillation as these are devoid of
oil.
6. POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT
6.1 Drying
The grass is allowed to wilt for 24 hours before distillation as it reduces the moisture content by 30% and improves oil
yield. The crop is chopped into small pieces before filling in the stills. It can be distilled in same distilleries as used for
Japanese mint in India.
6.2 Distillation
Oil is obtained through steam distillation. The oil has a strong lemon like odour. The oil is yellowish in colour having
75-85% citral and small amount of other minor aroma compounds. The recovery of oil from the grass ranges from 0.5 0.8 per cent. It takes about 4 hours for complete recovery of the oil.
6.3 Purification of Oil
The insoluble particles present in the oil are removed by simple filtration method after mixing it with anhydrous sodium
sulphate and keeping it overnight or for 4-5 hours. In case the colour of the oil changes due to rusting then it should be
cleaned by steam rectification process.
6.4 Storage and Packing of Oil
The oil can be stored in glass bottles or containers made up of stainless steel or aluminium or galvanized iron,
depending upon the quantity of oil to be stored. The oil should be filled up to the brim and the containers should be kept
away from direct heat and sunlight in cool/shaded places.
7. SOURCES OF TECHNOLOGY
(i) Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-226015, [Tel: (0522) 2359623]
(ii) Regional Research Laboratory, Jorhat-785006, Tel: (0376)2320353.
(iii) G.B.Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pant Nagar 263145, Distt. Udham Singh Nagar, Uttaranchal
[Tel: (05944) 223 3333, 223 3500
(iv) Herbal Research and Development Institute, Aromatic Plants Centre, Sailakui, Dehradun.
(v) Director, Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Ranikhet, Almora 263 651.
(vi) District Bheshaz Sangh, Uttaranchal.
(vii) Horticulture Department, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore 641003. [[Tel: (0422) 2445414]
8. ECONOMICS OF A ONE ACRE MODEL
8.1High quality commercial cultivation of this aromatic crop is a viable proposition for the small farmer. The
economics of a one acre model farm are presented below.
Costs & Returns
8.2 The cost components of such a model along with the basis for costing are exhibited in Annexures I & II.
summary is given in the figure below.
Project Cost: (Unit One Acre)
Sl.
No.
1.

Component
Cultivation Expenses
(i)
Cost of planting material
(ii) Input Cost
(iii Insecticides & pesticides

(Amount in Rs.)
Proposed
Expenditure
200
4500
2000

)
(iv)
(v)
2.

3.
4.

5.

Cost of Labour
Others, if any, please specify (Power)
Total

Irrigation
(i)
Tube-well/submersible pump
(ii) Pump & Electrical Installation
(iii Others, if any
)
Total
Cost of Drip/Sprinkler
Infrastructure
(i)
Store & Pump House
(ii) Labour room
(iii Agriculture Equipments
)
(iii Others, if any, (Drying platform)
)
Total
Land Development
(i)
Soil leveling
(ii) Digging
(iii Fencing
)
(iv) Others, if any, please specify
Total

Land, if newly purchased (Please indicate the year)*

Grand Total
*Cost of newly purchased land will be limited to one-tenth of the total project cost

7000
3600
17300
32000
25000
57000
20000
6100
16000
42100
4000
29600
33600

6.

1,50,000

8.3 The major components of the model are:

Land Development: (Rs.4.0 thousand): This is the labour cost of shaping and dressing the land site on layout.
Fencing (Rs.29.6 thousand): It is necessary to guard the farm by barbed wire fencing to safeguard the valuable
produce from poaching.
Irrigation Infra-structure (Rs.57 thousand): It is necessary to install a bore well with diesel/electric pumpset and motor
for providing adequate support to the crop. This is part cost of tube-well.
Equipment/Implements (Rs.6.1 thousand): A one acre farm would not be able to invest on heavy machinery and will
have to hire needed tractor.
Building and Storage (Rs.36 thousand): A one acre farm would require minimally a drying platform, a labour shed and
a store room.
8.4 Labour cost has been put at an average of Rs.70 per man-day. The actual cost will vary from location to location
depending upon minimum wage levels or prevailing wage levels for skilled and unskilled labour.
8.5 Recurring Production Cost: Recurring production costs are exhibited in Annexure III. The main components are
planting material, purchase of inputs, power and labour cost on land preparation, application of inputs, inter-cultural and
other farm operations.
8.6 Besides, provision is also included for processing (extraction of oil) and marketing. The total annual recurring cost
for a one acre farm works out to Rs.4.5 thousand (approx.)

8.7 Returns from the Project: The yield from the farm is estimated at 100 kg. of oil. Valued at Rs.500 per kg. the
total realization of the three crops works out to Rs.1.50 lakhs (vide Annexure III).