MAKEUP

Section C     

3b.     Package and Practice of Citronella :

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cymbopogon winterianus 

 FAMILY: Poaceae It is a tufted aromatic perennial herb with fibrous roots, smooth leaves and bearing a large inflorescence. 

ESSENTIAL PARTS: Citronella oil and Citronella leaves 

CONSTITUENTS OF ESSENTIAL OIL: Citronella oil contains geraniol ( 18-20 %). 

SOIL: Sandy loam soil with abundant organic matter is suitable with ph: 5.8- 6.0 Model Project Profile Advancing North East 2 

➢ CLIMATE: It requires abundant moisture and sunshine with good rainfall of about 2000-2500 mm 

➢ PROPAGATION: It is propagated vegetatively by slips by splitting well-grown clumps. The clump is separated into number of slips and each slip contain 1- 3 tillers ➢ SEASON OF PLANTING: Onset of monsoon 

➢ SPACING: 60cm X 60 cm apart 

➢ IRRIGATION: Irrigation should be provided twice a week during the first month of planting and thereafter once in 5 days. 

➢ MANURING: Under Northeast India and North India, 80-120 kg N /ha/ year is recommended and 40/kg/ ha of phosphorus and potassium each. 

➢ HARVESTING: Harvesting is done by a sharp sickle at about 20-45 cm above the ground. The leaves are ready for first harvest about 6 months after planting. The second and subsequent harvests can be done 2.5-3 months interval. Under favourable conditions, upto 4 harvests can be obtained in a year. 

➢ YIELD: The yield of fresh leaves is about 15-20 tonnes /in first year and 20-25 tonnes /ha in second as well as third year. The yield of oil obtained during first year is about 100 kg/ha and 150 kg/ha during second and third years. Under very favourable conditions, yield of 200-250 kg/ha can be obtained. 

➢ DISEASES: Generally, leaf bight and anthracnose affects citronella. Dithane M-45 or Z-78 sprays control leaf blight and anthracnose can be controlled by application of Dithiocarbamate. 

3a.    Package and Practice of Lemongrass  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.

 

3.3              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.

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

 20-300 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 :   Pragati , Praman , Jama Rosa . 

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). On an average, a healthy plant gives about 100-200 g of seeds. 

 

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. 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. 

 

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. 

 

5.9              Nutrition

 

It is recommended to apply 30 kg nitrogen, 30 kg P₂ O₅ and 30 kg K₂O per ha basal dose at the time of planting. In Zinc deficient soils of Uttar Pradesh, 25 - 60 kg Zinc sulphate per ha. is applied. 

 

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.

4a.     

The carbon cycle is the process through which carbon moves between living organisms and the environment. C3, C4, and CAM plants are three different strategies used by plants to fix and utilize carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Let's explore each of these plant types and their carbon cycle processes:

C3 Plants:

C3 plants are the most common type of plants and include many trees, vegetables, and grains. In C3 photosynthesis, the first stable product formed during carbon fixation is a three-carbon compound known as 3-phosphoglyceric acid (PGA). The key steps in the C3 carbon cycle are as follows:

Carbon fixation: Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is incorporated into the plant through small pores called stomata and combines with a five-carbon compound called ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) in a process called carboxylation. This forms PGA.

Reduction: PGA is converted into another three-carbon compound, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P), with the help of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).

Regeneration: Some G3P is used to synthesize glucose and other carbohydrates, while the remaining G3P is used to regenerate RuBP through several enzymatic steps.

C4 Plants:

C4 plants have evolved an additional step in their carbon fixation process, which helps them efficiently capture and use carbon dioxide even in environments with high temperatures and limited water availability. Examples of C4 plants include maize, sugarcane, and sorghum. The key steps in the C4 carbon cycle are as follows:

Carbon fixation: In C4 plants, atmospheric CO2 is initially fixed into a four-carbon compound called oxaloacetate, which occurs in specialized cells called mesophyll cells.

Separation: The four-carbon compound is transported to another type of cell called bundle sheath cells, where it releases CO2 to be used in the conventional C3 pathway.

Calvin cycle: The CO2 released in the bundle sheath cells enters the Calvin cycle, similar to the C3 plants, where it is converted into glucose and other carbohydrates.

CAM Plants:

CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plants have adapted to arid and desert environments by fixing carbon dioxide during the night when temperatures are cooler and moisture loss is minimized. CAM plants include succulents like cacti, agave, and pineapple. The key steps in the CAM carbon cycle are as follows:

Carbon fixation: CAM plants open their stomata at night to take in atmospheric CO2, which is then fixed into a four-carbon compound called malate or oxaloacetate and stored in large vacuoles within cells.

Daytime: During the day, the stomata close to reduce water loss, and the stored malate is broken down to release CO2. The CO2 enters the Calvin cycle, similar to the C3 plants, to synthesize glucose and other carbohydrates.

5a.     

Carbohydrate, Fat, and Protein in Barley:

Barley is a versatile grain that is rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and protein. It contains about 73-75% carbohydrates, which provide energy to the body. The type of carbohydrates found in barley includes starch and dietary fiber, including both soluble and insoluble fibers. Barley also contains a moderate amount of fat, mainly in the form of healthy unsaturated fats. The protein content of barley is relatively high, typically ranging from 10-15%. Barley protein is considered a good source of essential amino acids.

Carbohydrate, Fat, and Protein in Lucerne (Alfalfa):

Lucerne, also known as alfalfa, is a perennial legume that is commonly used as a forage crop for livestock. It is low in fat and contains about 15-20% protein, making it a valuable source of plant-based protein. Lucerne is also rich in carbohydrates, including dietary fiber, which contributes to its nutritional value as a feed source.

Carbohydrate, Fat, and Protein in Pea:

Peas are a type of legume that are often consumed as a vegetable or used as an ingredient in various dishes. They are relatively low in fat and provide a good amount of dietary fiber. Peas contain about 14-25% protein, making them a good source of plant-based protein. The carbohydrate content of peas is primarily in the form of starch.

Carbohydrate, Fat, and Protein in Chickpea:

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a popular legume used in many cuisines worldwide. They are low in fat and rich in dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber. Chickpeas contain about 19-22% protein, making them an excellent plant-based protein source. The carbohydrate content of chickpeas consists mainly of starch.

Carbohydrate, Fat, and Protein in Wheat:

Wheat is one of the most widely cultivated cereal crops globally and is a staple food for many populations. It is primarily consumed in the form of flour, which is used to make various bread, pasta, and other wheat-based products. Wheat is rich in carbohydrates, providing energy through its starch content. The fat content of wheat is relatively low. Wheat contains about 10-15% protein, which contributes to its nutritional value.

Irrigation Management for the Crops:

Barley: Barley is a moderately drought-tolerant crop but requires adequate water during critical growth stages. It is important to provide sufficient water during germination, tillering, and grain filling stages. Avoid over-watering, as it can lead to lodging and disease problems.

Lucerne: Lucerne requires regular irrigation to maintain its productivity and quality. It is a deep-rooted crop and can tolerate some drought conditions. However, it is crucial to monitor soil moisture and provide irrigation when the soil moisture level drops below a certain threshold.

Pea: Peas require consistent soil moisture throughout their growth stages, especially during flowering and pod development. Adequate irrigation is crucial during dry periods. Avoid waterlogging, as it can lead to root diseases.

Chickpea: Chickpeas are relatively drought-tolerant but still require sufficient moisture during key growth stages. Adequate irrigation is crucial during flowering and pod formation stages. It is important to monitor soil moisture levels and provide supplemental irrigation when needed.

Wheat: Wheat requires adequate moisture during the early growth stages, particularly during tillering and grain filling. Irrigation is especially important if rainfall is insufficient. However, excessive moisture during the later stages can negatively impact yield and quality.