Palmarosa - Cymbopogon Martini [Supplier & Exporter] Seeds & Essential Oil

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• published: 30 Dec 2013
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Palmarosa is a wild growing plant related to lemongrass. It has fragrant leaves, long slender stems and terminal flowering tops. It is a drought hardy grass attaining a height of 1.5 to 2.5m having hairy and fibrous shallow root system with long linear lanceolate leaves. It produces large fawn coloured inflorescence containing while, hairy star like spiked flowers. Soil A well-drained sandy loam soil with soil pH of 7.5-8.5 is ideal for cultivation of Palmarosa and receiving rainfall of about 150 cm annually is an It can also be cultivated in well-drained clay loam soil which are free from water logging. Climate Warm tropical climate upto 300m elevation in the foothills is suitable for cultivation of Palmarosa. Temperature ranging from 10 - 360C with annual rainfall around 1000mm and ample sunshine are congenial for its growth. Moist and warm climate throughout the year accelerates its growth. Areas, which are affected by severe frost, are not suitable as the frost kills the grass and reduces the oil content. Propagation Raising Seedlings in Nursery Usually nursery is sown by end of April to mid of May under partial shade. Nursery beds are well prepared in May. The nursery beds are made by adding enough FYM , compost or organic matter. Channels are dug around the beds to provide irrigation. Normally 2 - 2.5 kg of seed is required to cover 100 sq.m nursery, which provides sufficient seedlings to plant one hectare area. As the seeds are small and light, they are mixed with fine soil for obtaining even distribution and ease in sowing. They are sown in lines, 15-20 cm apart. Seeds should not be sown densely to avoid overcrowding of seedlings The beds are watered lightly and regularly. Germination starts within two weeks. Later on, 0.2-0.5% solution of urea may be sprayed for good vegetative growth. In about 3-4 weeks, seedlings are ready for transplanting. By Slips For better quality and yield of oil it is recommended to grow Palmarosa by slips obtained by dividing well-grown clumps. Tops of clumps are cut off within 20-25 cm of the root. The latter is divided into slips and the lower brown sheath is removed to expose young roots. Slips should be taken from plants giving a good yield and a high quality of oil. However the rate of establishment of rooted slips is very poor as compared to nursery transplants. Slips should be planted in June-July or during the rainy season. Planting The field is prepared before the onset of monsoon. It is ploughed and harrowed so as to give a fine tilth. All the stubble and roots of weeds are removed. The seedlings are transplanted in the fields as soon as the rainy season sets in. They can be transplanted even earlier, if the weather is not very warm and irrigation is available. Healthy and established seedlings, which are about 15 cm in height, are carefully removed from the nursery and are planted at a spacing of 60 cmx60cm. Irrigation Requirement of irrigation depends upon the climatic conditions. The grass requires irrigation fortnightly during the growing season. With an ample supply of water, growth is luxuriant. It is a drought hardy species. However its growth is slow under rainfed cultivation where the plants grow in height but seldom covers the entire field. Two irrigations in rainfed crop significantly increased herbage and oil yields. Harvesting The essential oil is distributed in all parts of the grass, viz., flower heads, leaves and stems, the flower heads containing the major portion. It is recommended to harvest the crop 7-10 days after opening of flowers. The number of harvest depends upon the climatic condition of the place of cultivation and method of crop management. During the first year, usually one crop is obtained in October-November, whereas 2-3 crops are obtained in the subsequent years in subtropical areas in the North Indian plains. Four harvests are taken in tropical areas of South and North-East. Usually, the grass is cut at a height of 5-8 cm from the ground level and the whole plant is used for distillation. The maximum yield of oil is obtained when the entire plant is at a full flowering stage. The harvested herbage is spread in the field for 4-6 hours to reduce its moisture by 50% and such semi-dry produce can be stacked in shady cool space for few days without much loss of its oil. Uses Oil of Palmarosa is used in perfumery, particularly for flavoring tobacco and for blending of soaps due to the lasting rose-note it imparts to the blend. It also serves as a source for very high grade geraniol. Geraniol is highly valued as a perfume and as a starting material for large chemicals, viz., geranyl esters that have a permanent rose-like odour. Web: http://www.natureherbs.org Blog: http://natureherbsorg.blogspot.in/ Email : natureherbs@ymail.com, sales@natureherbs.org Mob: +91 841 888 5555 Skype: nature.herbs