Everything you need to know about the cultivation of aromatic plants in India. Learn about the cultivation of: 1. Citronella 2. Geranium 3. Palmarosa 4. Patchouli 5. Vetiver.
1. How to Cultivate Aromatic Plant: Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus):
Cultivation Technology of Citronella:
The essential oil of citronella is obtained from the distillation of green herb. There are distinctly two types of oil available in the market i.e. Ceylon type and the Java type. The Ceylon type oil is obtained from the species Cymbopogon nardus Rendle, (Family-Gramineae), whereas the Java type oil is distilled form the plant Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt. At present, the cultivation of Ceylon type is confined to Ceylon on limited scale.
Java type citronella, as it was called mahapengiri in Ceylon was introduced in Java from Ceylon in 1899. Today Citronella Java cultivations is done on large scale in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
The present world production of citronella Java oil is estimated to be around 5000 tonnes annually. Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka, Argentina, India, Taiwan and Brazil are the important growers of citronella Java. Citronella Java cultivation in India is spread over to 5000 ha. of land with annual production of about 800-1000 tonnes of oil.
Soil and Climate:
For optimum growth, deep well drained fertile soil suitable for citronella cultivation, the land should be well drained. Although, pH around 6.0-7.5 is considered to be optimum, successful cultivation of citronella. Although, 150-200 m altitude is considered ideal, the plant has been found grow satisfactorily up to a height of 700 m.
Humid climate with regular rainfall offer most favorable condition for plant growth and oil production. Temperatures beyond 38°C and below 20°C do not support good growth of plant. Because of climatic difference, oil yield in north-eastern and southern part of India is higher than those from north India (subtropical climate).
Propagation:
Planting material is obtained by dividing the clumps from old plantation. The divided units are called “slips”. Depending upon the growth and age of plantation, 20-25 sturdy slips- per clamp can be obtained. Before digging the clumps, all the leaves above 20-25 cm. from ground are removed so as to minimize the loss of water though transpiration from the slips. Lengthy roots are trimmed and dead leaves are removed from slips to allow quick establishment and to protect from soil born insect and pests.
Planting:
Citronella may be planted in flat beds or ridges, depending upon the texture of the soil. In heavier soils, planting on ridges should be preferred. Slips are placed in holes, made with locally available tools, about 6-8 cm deep and soils around slip is pressed properly. Usually, the planting is done at 60 x 60 or 60 x 45cm distance. However, in the areas with large growing period (humid tropics) planting distance can be increased to 70 x 65 cm or even 80 x 75 cm.
In sub-tropical climate, closer planting 60 x 45 cm or 60 x 40 cm is recommended, due to shorter growing period. About 28,000 to 38,000 slips are required for one ha. planting depending upon their spacing. Closer planting helps crop plants to become more competitive against weeds. The best time for planting is the onset of rains. In sub-tropical climates, with assured irrigation, planting can also be done in Feb-March Feb if assured irrigation is available.
Manures and Fertilizers:
Being a leafy crop, needs high quantity of soil nutrients. Therefore, it is a general practice to apply sufficient organic manures and fertilizers. In Guatemala and Haiti, it is common practice to apply spent grass (Distilled herbs) to supplement manures and fertilizers requirement, whereas in Indonesia, growers prefer green manuring. The fertilizer requirement of the crop is greatly depends on the fertility status of the soil and the climatic conditions.
While in northern plains of India does of 120 kg. N and 40 kg each of P2Os and K2O per ha is optimum, crop has been found to respond well up 200-250 kg N/ha in poor red laterite soils of Karnataka. The time of planting in first year and before hoeing and after the rainfall in subsequent years, the remaining half of nitrogen should be applied in four equal splits after each harvest.
Irrigation:
Citronella requires moist condition for good growth. In subtropical areas of north-India where rainy season cover only 3-4 months, the crop requires regular irrigation during rain free period from October-June, and 8-10 irrigations are sufficient to meet the water requirement. In humid part of north-east India where rainfall is well distributed with prolong rainy season, the crop is cultivated in rainfed condition.
Harvesting:
The commercial life span of citronella plantation is upto 4-5 years if maintained properly. Depending upon the climatic conditions and management practices, the first harvest from newly established plantation is taken after 5-6 months from planting. After that, the crop is harvested at 3-4 months interval. Thus, a minimum 4 and maximum 5 harvest/year are taken. Some growers try to take even 6 or more harvests. Harvesting is done with sharp sickle and jerks should be avoided, especially during first harvest, which may cause death of clumps.
Yield and Oil Content:
Citronella leaves contain about 0.6-0.8% essential oil. It varies greatly depending upon crop growth, season of harvest, atmospheric humidity and soil moisture content. Oil content and recovery of oil is lowest during rainy season and the highest during dry months. The production of herb is influenced greatly with the soil, management practices and the climatic conditions.
On an average 21-24 a tonne of herb/ha/year is obtained which on distillation yields 150-200 kg. oil. Under very favorable growing condition, it is possible to produce 220-280 kg oil per ha/year. Herb and oil production in the planting year is only about 60%, however, the optimum yield is obtained from second year onwards.
The oil does have sweet, citrus-rosy with terpenic undertone. Regarding taste it is burning-biting and Lemony rosy in dilution. It is used in fragrance of soap, agarbattis, dhoopbatti and detergent. The use level in such fragrances can go upto 15-20%. It is also used nowadays, in fragrances for floor cleaner, glass cleaner etc. Used in flavour for cheaper rose flavour, at times in fruity flavours.
Use a good natural source for Citronella, Geraniol, Citronellol and Elemol. The Citronellol so obtained is utilized for making Hydroxy Citronellol after hydrogenation. The residue left after isolating these isolates is used in cheap fragrance for detergent, soaps and agarbattis.
The oil is also used as a mosquito repellant and sometimes in fragrances for fresheners. Particularly because of its great making power, it is an effective and universally applicable material for technical products, industrial fragrances. With Cedarwood Virginia oil it is used as a popular remedy against mosquito attack in parts before appearances of modern insecticides.
In Aromatherapy, this oil is found to have antiseptic, bactericidal, fungicidal, insecticide etc. Good for oily skin and effective in cold, flu, migraine, headaches and fatigue.
2. How to Cultivate Aromatic Plant: Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens):
Cultivation Technology of Geranium:
The geranium is called rose geranium and known as first substitute of rose due to rosy smell and chemical constituents present in the oil. The essential oil of Geranium is obtained by steam distillation of matured leaves of the plant. Geranium is botanically known as Pelargonium graveolens, which is endemic to Reunion Island. Original habitat of geranium is South Africa where these plants grow in natural condition. Few varieties reached Europe in 1700 but cultivation was started in eighteenth century in Southern France where it was raised as an annual crop due to severe winter conditions.
It was introduced in Reunion Islands from France in the late nineteenth century. Almost 50 percent of world production is in Renuion Island. Its sub-species of P. roseum and P. radula are also used in producing geranium oil in countries like China, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt. Geranium oil is high-grade perfumery oil having rose oil content due to presence of citronellol and geraniol.
In India, a variety of P. graveolens used to grow wild in the Nilgiris and Shivery Hills. First plantation of a high yielding variety of geranium imported from Reunion Island was started at Vercaud by a French planter Mensieur Sens in the early 20th century. Two varieties of Geranium i.e., Algerian or Tunisian and Bourbon of Reunion were being cultivated in Yercaud (Shivery Hills) and Nilgiris. Former type is grown in the Nilgiris and is slender with dark pink flowers and more sturdy and it is unsuitable in wet conditions while later having light pink flowers is more suitable in wet conditions.
Geranium grows well in temperate, tropical and sub-tropical climates at various altitudes. However, it thrives best in sub-tropical climate. It is sensitive to winter rains, susceptible to water logging. It comes up best in porous, open and slightly calcareous soils having pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. Evenly distributed rainfall of 1000 cm to 1500 cm is considered essential. Heavy rainfall condition accompanied by misty weather brings disease resulting in the loss of foliage. The plants are susceptible to frost. Maximum yield is obtained when temperature range between 15°-18°C throughout the growing period.
North-Indian region which enjoys cold winters and assured irrigation facilities offer luxuriant growth from November to April and gives yield comparable to hilly areas of South. At present India produces 05 tonnes of oil from 950 ha in Nilgiris and 45 ha in Palani Hills, Bangalore and Hyderabad while the national requirement is 150 tonnes which is met through imports. Therefore, it is imperative to identify new areas suitable for cultivation of Geranium.
In north Indian plains the resource plants from pots are transferred to the field in October. Cuttings are prepared from these resource plants from mid-November onwards at 10-15 days interval. These cuttings are directly planted into fields at spacing of 50 x 50 cm. The fields are kept moist with light irrigations. Nursery could be set up in Poly Packs as well.
Propagation:
Planting material is prepared from cuttings obtained by cutting green portion of the stem having 3-4 nodes. Green cuttings put in moist soil root easily to the extent of 70-80%. Brown stem cuttings have high mortality. Application of seradix B-l (1 BA@ 50-100 ppm for 5 minutes) enhances rooting of brown stems. In North India, cuttings are planted in the field during late November to 1st week of December followed by 2-3 light irrigations.
In South India, planting material is prepared in nursery and subsequently transplanted in the field during May-July. Spacing of 60 x 60cm or 60 x 50 cm is followed for a good growth and 27-28,000 cuttings are required per hectare of land. During summer 2-3 irrigation are required in South while in North 7-8 irrigation are required. Irrigation twice a week is preferred in initial stage.
Manure and Fertilizers:
About 25-30 tons of FYM is applied per hectare at the time of preparation of land P:K: @ 80:60 are also applied as basal dose.
Subsequently, 100-120 kg/ha of Nitrogen is applied as top dressing in 4 split doses during growth of crop. Two or three 0.5% sprays of micronutrients during vegetative growth at intervals of 15 days would give good growth of foliage.
Weeding:
The crop may require one weeding after about 30 days from planting and one hoeing after each harvest.
Disease and Pests:
Insect, pests except termites do not easily affect geranium but regular spray of fungicides and bactericides is required to avoid possible attack of pathogens. Sometime geranium plants are attacked by termites, which could be prevented by spray of chloropyriphos 600-800 ml/ha diluted in water.
Harvesting:
In the year of planting 1 or 2 harvests are taken but from second year onwards the leafy shoots are harvested 3-4 times in a year. The tender leaves are harvested at the beginning of the flowering season when the lemon like odour of the leaves change to faint rosy odour and appearance of pinkish flowers. Harvesting is done in the early morning after sunrise with a sharp sickle. Only green portion of the plant is harvested leaving smaller branches in tact, which helps in regeneration, and second crop is obtained after 45-50 days.
Yield:
Good soil and effective care can give yield of 25-27 tons of fresh herbage. Second yield gives 20-25 tons of foliage. Distillation of fresh leaves or slight withering helps to improve the yield. Normally 0.12-0.16 percent oil is obtained. Farmer can ascertain the oil content by distillation of small quantity of herbage in “Clevenger” apparatus. A farmer can get 40-50 kg oil per ha./year.
Uses of Geranium Oil:
It has green, leafy-rosy, minty odour with lasting sweet rosy note. It is used for imparting green rosy note in fragrances for personal and cosmetic products. The terpenless oil is used in high class fine perfumery.
It is also used in gutka, tobacco and pan masala and also for as rose flavour for different food products.
The oil is good for acne and oily skin and for stress related conditions. The de-oiled material can be powdered and can be used for agarbatti, dhoopbatti and face packs.
Isolates – The rhodinol isolated out of geranium oil is well known in fragrance & flavour industry and is a highly priced natural aroma chemical. Rhodinol is also used extensively in perfumery as a base for rose, muguet, carnation, apple blossom, and many other perfume types. Its floral sweetness, delightful freshness and delicate warm rosy tonalities blend well with the odors of hydroxy citronellol, linalool, geraniol, dimethylbenzyl carbinol, Cinnamic alcohol, cyclamen aldehyde, phenyl ethyl alcohol, geranyl esters, linalyl esters, etc.
3. How to Cultivate Aromatic Plant: Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini):
Cultivation Technology of Palmarosa:
Palmarosa botanically known as Cymbopogon martini belongs to family Poaceae, has been known for its essential oil for a long time. In India, the plant is found growing in wild state and known as Rosha grass or Rusa grass by the local people. The oil obtained from the distillation of the flowering tops is referred to as palmarosa oil in trade. There are two district varieties of palmarosa that grown side by side in wild state.
The two varieties are the motia is considered superior due to its high content of geraniol (85-92%) than sofia (Geraniol Content 60-70%). The present total annual world production of palmarosa oil is estimated to be 1000 tonnes. Earlier the cultivation of palmarosa was done on a limited scale in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In Uttar Pradesh, cultivation of palmarosa stated only in recently years. Because of rose like aroma, palmarosa oil and its major constituent, geraniol, is much valued in perfumery and cosmetic industries the world over. There has been increased demand of oil and geraniol.
Palmarosa is adapted to wide range of soil climatic conditions. The plant thrives well on low fertile soils. It does not tolerate prolong aeration. Hence, soil selected for establishing palmarosa plantation should be well drained. Marginal soils, waste lands, soils affected with salinity and alkalinity problems, sandy and sandy loam soils with poor fertility status, undulated lands and soils containing stones and gravels can be utilized for economic production of palmarosa.
The field is prepared by one deep and two to three light ploughing. To cultivate palmarosa under irrigated conditions, beds should deceive fine leveling to avoid water stagnation. There should be provision of drainage channels to drain off excess water during rainy season. On undulated and sloppy lands where plugging is not possible, plantation can be established after clearing the land of bushes and perennial weeds, and shallow tilling of soil manually. In areas with little fear of water logging during rainy season, planting is recommended on ridges.
Propagation and Planting:
It can be planted-
(a) By seed seedlings and
(b) By splitting of clumps into slips.
(a) Planting of Seedlings:
It is better to select light soil near the source of irrigation for nursery. Nursery beds are well prepared and added with good amount of farmyard manure of compost. Before sowing of nursery, beds should be kept moist (at about 60% available soil moisture) for 12 to 15 days to stimulate the germination of weeds and to minimize weed competition in the nursery. It has been found that pre-sowing irrigation of nursery helps in minimizing weed competition to the extent of 70-90%.
The hoeing the beds before sowing kills germinated weeds. Nursery beds are fertilized with basal dose of 25-30 kg of N, 15 kg P2Os and 15 kg K2O per hectare. Three to five kilogram seeds are mixed with 3 to 4 volumes of moist soil and are sown over a nursery area of 400-500 s cm for planting one hectare crop. After sowing, seeds are mixed in the soil by hand or by shallow tilling of the beds. Nursery beds are sprinkle irrigated for 3-4 days, thereafter beds are flood irrigated.
Seedlings become ready for planting in about 35 to 40 days after sowing. Seedlings are uprooted carefully and chopped off from the top, leaving 20-25 cm from crown (ground), to avoid loss of water through transpiration. Seedlings are planted in flat beds or on ridges, maintaining 45-60 cm distance between lines and 30 cm from plant to plant. Field should be irrigated immediately after planting. In soils of low fertility and in problem soils it is desirable to maintain a closure spacing of 45 x 30 cm.
(ii) By Splitting the Clumps (Slips):
Grown up clumps is cut from 20-25 cm from ground and are dug carefully. Clumps are divided into slips containing 3-4 tillers. Slips are planted in the field, maintaining a distance recommended for planting through the seedlings. Slips give very poor establishment compared to the seedlings. Therefore, the method is useful for the multiplication of plants having high oil content and desired quality of oil for the production of seeds.
Manure & Fertilizer:
Palmarosa grows luxuriantly on fertile soils; therefore, in soils of high fertility, crop does not require any fertilizer application for first two years after planting. In soils of medium and low fertility, application of 40-50 kg. Nitrogen, 30-40 kg P2Os and 30-40 kg K2O/ha is recommended before planting.
Nitrogen at the rate of 20 kg/ha is top dressed 45 days after planting and 15 days after each of first and second harvests. In extremely poor soils, application of higher amount of fertilizer is needed. In red laterite soils of south India, which are low in organic matter contents, response up to 200-250 kg N/Ha has been obtained. Application of zinc has been found beneficial.
Weed Control:
Palmarosa is a fast growing crop and hence does not allow weeds to grow. However, it requires weed free environment for proper establishment and growth in the initial stages (up to 90 days after planting).
Irrigation:
Palmarosa is cultivated both as irrigated as well as rainfed crop. Under assured water supply, the crop should be irrigated at 10-15 days interval during dry months of March-June and at 10-15 days interval during dry months of March-June and at 20-30 days interval during post rainy and winter seasons.
Diseases and Pests:
Leaf blight caused by Ellisiella caudate is the most important disease. The disease appears during rainy season in almost all parts of the country. In the initial stages, grayish-brownish spots on leaf lamina appear which become enlarge in later stages of plant growth. Bernelate fungicide has been found quite effective in controlling the disease. In light soil, particularly when over aged and woody seedlings are planted, termite attack becomes very common. Therefore, in such a situation pre-plant incorporation of soil applied insecticide is recommended.
Harvesting:
The crop is harvested at full bloom stage. The proper stage of harvesting comes 15-20 days after the plants start flowering. Crop planted in July becomes ready for first harvest in 3-4 months after planting in September-October. Subsequent harvests are taken in November-December, March-April and June-July. Almost the same schedule is applicable during second and subsequent year of harvests.
Distillation and Yield:
Hydro-steam distillation is used for the distillation of palmarosa oil. Oil content in herb depends upon the climate harvesting season, maturity of crop and the condition of material being distilled. Plantation with very luxuriant plant growth produce herbs with significantly lower oil content, compared to plant having less growth.
The average oil content in various parts of the palmarosa plant var. motia is about 0.40-0.60%. Under good management it is possible to produce 80-100 kg oil/ha in the first year, 125-150 kg in second and subsequent years of harvest.
Uses of Palmarosa Oil:
The odour is sweet, terpenic, grany, rosy type. The oil is used for low cost fragrances for agarbatti, dhoopbatti, cosmetics and soaps. The Palmarosa oil is very good for making floral, sweet and other fancy fragrances.
Also find use in flavours for tobacco, pan masala, sweet supari and khaini.
The oil is used for treatment of face, hands, feet and lips, moisturizing skin, good for acne and wrinkles. It also stimulates cellular regeneration, regulates sebum and effective in neurologic and rheumatic pains.
The geraniol obtained out of Palmarosa oil is of the finest quality and highly priced in fragrance & Flavour industry and is used for making good quality rose and other floral fragrances. This geraniol ex Palmarosa is used in flavours as well particularly rose, vetiver etc.
4. How to Cultivate Aromatic Plant: Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli):
Cultivation Technology of Patchouli:
The Patchouli is an important aromatic plant cultivated for its essential oil which is obtained by steam distillation of matured dried leaves. The botanical name of patchouli is Pogostemon patchouli belongs to family labiatae. The oil is known to blends well with other essential oils, sandalwood, geranium and lavender.
Patchouli oil is considered to be the cheapest fixative among the natural source, and enhances the life of any perfume to which it is part. Presently, there is no synthetic substitute of patchouli oil so it enhances the value and unique position of patchouli oil in perfumery (fragrances and flavours) and cosmetic industry.
The old literatures reveals, the word “Patchouli” was derived from Sanskrit world “Patchouli”. In ancient times, Indian fabrics and shawls, prepared for export to European countries, were permitted with strong odour which was considered characteristics and proof of oriental origin.
This was only in about 1844 when the first shipment of dried patchouli leaves arrived in London and the long sought secret of mysterious scent could be revealed. Thereafter, French manufacturers learned and started using patchouli leaves to their costly shawls in close intimation to the East Indian fabrics.
The plant of Patchouli was first described in 1845 by Pelletier Sautelet, and named Pogostemon patchouli. For many years, the distillation of patchouli oil was confined to British-Malaya, mainly on the Iceland of Penang and Singapore. In the beginning of 20th century, the production of patchouli oil took a new turn when plantings were developed in the province of Sumatra, Indonesia. Initially, the cultivated leaf material was exported to European countries.
This practice continued until before the Second World War, when patchouli industry in Sumatra developed rapidly and Indonesia soon stated to produce more than 85% of total world production. Now-a-days Indonesia also meets more than 80% of total world requirement of patchouli oil. The remaining 20% is produced by China and other countries with very limited production in Malaysia, Brazil and India.
The total world production of patchouli oil is estimated to be more than 800 tonnes annually, of which about 650-700 tonnes is produced in Indonesia. About 80-100 tonnes oil worth Rs.2.2- 2.8 crores is imported annually in the country. Therefore, there is need to popularize the cultivation in different parts of the country to make India self-sufficient in patchouli oil production in the open areas of coastal belt and orchards in Northern Indian plains.
Soils and Climate:
The plants of patchouli can be cultivated in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. However, the plant flourishes best in hot and humid climate with evenly distributed rainfall. The plant can be cultivated on undulated land and terraces where there are remote chances of water logging. The successful cultivation also possible in plains at low altitude provided proper drainage of the field is ensured by planting on ridges and laying out proper water drainage channels.
For best growth plant requires moderate temperature (25-30°C) and high humidity ranges 60-70%. Partial shady conditions are considered for good growth. Hence, the spaces between the mango trees in the orchards of different kinds can be considered suitable for its cultivation. Although, patchouli does not removes much of the nutrients from the soils, availability of reasonably good amount of nutrient in the soils considered essential for optimum productivity.
The above fact holds true considering very luxuriant growth and high productivity obtained from the plantations established on virgin forest lands rich in organic matter. Patchouli plantation requires much attention in subtropical climates, particularly during hot and dry summer in the months of May and June.
Land Preparation:
Before plantation, land is cleared off of bushes and perennial weeds through deep ploughing and digging the spots to uproot the deep rooted bushes. Individual beds are finely leveled to avoid water stagnation and to ensure proper drainage. In areas with little fear of water logging, high ridges are made to save plants especially in the month of July-August.
Propagation:
It is vegetatively propagated especially by stem cuttings from older plants. For best results apical cuttings 10-15 cm long with 3-4 leaves are taken from well-developed branches. These cutting are either used for raising nursery or can be planted directly in the final field. For raising nursery, cuttings are planted in bags or nursery beds containing sufficient sand and leaf-mould mixture, etc. Nursery is raised in the shady place with provision of good drainage. Before planting the cuttings in nursery or in seed beds, these are treated with root promoting hormones for quick establishment and fast growth.
The cuttings are stripped off of one or two fully developed lower leaf before planting. Nursery beds are kept moist for 8-10 days, till the rooting starts, through sprinkler irrigation 2-3 times daily. Best times for raising nursery is when the temperature is mild (20- 25°C) and humidity is around (70-80%). About 4-5 weeks-time, nursery plant becomes ready for planting in field. Mist chambers are best suited for propagating patchouli.
Planting:
In subtropical plains, planting should be preferred on ridges and furrows and for direct planting, it is advisable to start the planting operation when the weather is cloudy and likely to be rained. The cuttings or nursery raised plants are planted on the spacing of 70-85 cm apart at 65-70 cm plant to plant distance. Before preparation of ridges, an application of 20 kg. Furadan or 150 kg. neem cake is advisable.
If the planting is done in open field desired shade can be creating, otherwise, in open field desired shade can be created by planting trees like, popular, mango, teak, etc. few months before planting of patchouli. In any case the newly planted cuttings or nursery plants should be protected against hot sunlight. Irrigation of field is immediately required just after planting of patchouli.
In forest land or in orchards which are rich in organic matter, and patchouli plantation is required to be established for the first time, only a basal application of 30 kg nitrogen, 60 kg P2Os and 35 kg K2O per is considered sufficient for one ha. of land. However, when the plantation is done on a medium fertile soil, application of 40 kg each of N, P2Os and K2O per ha is applied as a basal doses and 100-125 kg N is applied in 3 equal splits doses after each cutting. Use of phosphorus has been found to be quite responsive to patchouli, hence, soils different in phosphorous may need higher application of phosphate fertilizers.
The availability of sufficient soil moisture throughout the growing period is the key factor for successful production of patchouli plants. Therefore, areas enjoying well distributed rainfall and long rainy season are well suited for patchouli cultivation. During dry months frequent irrigations are required to keep the soil moist. In sub-tropical climates during dry summer months, March-June, irrigations at 8-15 days intervals are required.
Diseases, Pests and their Control:
The yellowing, leaf blight disease and root knot nematode are the important diseases and insect pests of patchouli. Root knot caused by Nematodes, is most serious and destructive pest of patchouli. Infected plant roots develop knots varying from 0.4 – 4.5 cm in diameter. In the initial stages of infection, it is difficult to differentiate the infected plants with normal plant. However, in advanced stages, plant shows stunting of top growth and starts wilting.
In absence of any control measure, the nematode spreads at an alarming rate and plant starts drying. Within 1.5- 2.5 months the entire crop stand died and perished. Application of suitable nematicide should be incorporated in the soil and follow a light irrigation. Precautionary measure should include regular application of Neem cake, crop rotation with grass species and intercropping of nematode resistant crops is preferred.
Leaf blight disease is caused by fungus, leaves bear brown spots near the margins which enlarge into patches and causes death of leaves. The disease is controlled by spraying of suitable fungicide like Dithane M-45 or any copper fungicide. Another disease is caused by virus, molting of leaves rolling and crinkling are the important symptoms. As soon as the symptoms appear, infected plants should be uprooted and burnt separately.
Harvesting:
After first cutting, crop is harvested at about 3-4 months interval upto 2-3 years. At the proper stage of harvest the plant growth become slow, the foliage starts turning pale green and leaves emit typical patchouli odour. Harvesting is done with sharp sickle/ knife in the early morning or in the evening and not during hot noon hours. All the young growing leaves and tender branches 35-45 cm above ground are cut.
The cutting close to the ground may lead to considerable delay in re-generation and a long gap between harvest, thus, affecting the total oil production. Patchouli plantation remains productive for 3-3.5 years, after which the plantation is uprooted and rotated with nematode resistant crops for few years.
Drying and Curing of Leaves:
The harvested/plucked leaves and tender twigs is spread out to drying in thin layers on concrete floor. Drying can also be done on racks made of bamboos. In any case it should ensure that complete drying is done in 4-5 days-time. Proper drying is of great importance for obtaining good quality oil. During whole drying period herbs should be frequently turn over by hand or any other tools to ensure even and through drying and to prevent fermentation.
In absence of drying shed, having free air circulations, sun drying is practiced which caused some loses of oil and its odour value. Properly dried leaves develop a strong and characteristic patchouli note which is less noticeable in fresh leaves. To avoid the chances of fermentation of leaves, it is advisable to harvest the crop when the sky is clear and the atmospheric humidity is low.
The highest oil yield was found (5.0-6.0%) in 140-150 days dried leaves. In case of delay in distillation, the dried leaves should be pressed and stored in dry place. Otherwise, the leaves stored loosely, especially during rainy season, may develop mouldy odour due to high atmospheric humidity.
The dried leaves contain about 4.0-5.0% whereas the tender stem has only 0.5-0.8% essential oil. Depending upon the quality of herb and the method of drying the oil recovery on commercial scale distillation varies from 2.5-4.0%. The average yield of fresh herb is about 125-150 q/ha. is harvested form 3- 4 harvests in a year, which on drying remains to 30-32 quintals and yields about 60-70 kg. essential oil.
The herb and oil yields are greatly affected by the age of trees in the orchard area occupied by trees and the amount of sun light available to the patchouli plants. In highly shady conditions, the herb yield and oil content is considerably reduced as the branching, leaf development and oil biosynthesis in the patchouli leaves are adversely affected. The 60-65% shade in orchards is suitable for patchouli plantation.
The odor is sweet herbaceous wood balsamic with Rooty undertone. An ethereal wine like sweet floral note makes it quite useful in fine fragrances. This ethereal top note is little rare. Regarding flavour it is spicy woody and bitter.
It is used a lot in fragrances to its tenacious nature used in fragrances for all types though little in floral. It is stable if used in fragrances for soap. It blends well with sandalwood, vetiver, labdanum, granium, lavender, clarysage, clove, bergamot and neroli. It also blends well with synthetic loke ionones, coumarin, nito-musk, methyl salicylate and cinnamates. It is used extensively in making oriental, fougere, chypre and woody fragrances.
It is used for making the odor of depilatories particularly when used with citrus oils. Also used for making agent for alcoholic breath, onion/garlic odor, in after dinner candy. Such flavours are made when used with geranium, ionone, orris, anis, clove. It is used in flavour for mouth fresheners, tobacco, very extensively in pan masala and gutka flavour. Also used in baked goods, candy and in chewing gum.
It is used in aromatherapy a lot owing to its action as antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiseptic, antiviral, astringent, stimulant, bactericidal, etc. used in skin care for acne and chapped skin, oily skin. For hair care it is used for dandruff, oily hair. Also good for fungal infection, dermatitis, wrinkles. Good in case of repelling moths. Effective in nervous exhaustion, stress etc.
5. How to Cultivate Aromatic Plant: Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides):
Cultivation Technology of Vetiver:
Khus or Vetiver botanically known as Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash is a perennial aromatic plant belongs to family Gramineae or Poaceae. It is known for highly valued essential oil obtained from their roots. The Vetiver plant is native to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ceylon and Malaysia. In India, two types of essential oils produced i.e. North Indian type and South Indian type.
North Indian oil has better perfumery value than south Indian type due the odour value and chemical constituents. The plant is about 2 to 2.5 meter tall, grows along the road side fellow spaces and railway tracks which provides possibilities for utilization of waste lands. It may survives in water logging as well as drought conditions.
The leaves blades are linear, 35-85cm. long, 5-25 mm wide, glabrous and pale green in colour. The highly scented aromatic oil is obtained through steam distillation as well as by hydro distillation (traditional Deg-Bhapka method) of 12-18 months old roots.
Soil and Climate:
Vetiver plant grows in various types of soil, a fertile and well drained sandy loam soil is best suited for its cultivation. Water logged soils, with pH up to 9.0 and light soils containing 75- 80% sand can be best utilized for economic production of vetiver crops. The root growth and development is more in medium textured soil, lengthy and fibrous roots can be obtained from light textured and sandy soil and the roots can be easily removed from soil layers during digging time.
Vetiver grows best in hot and humid climate. In Tropical climate of south India, vegetative plant growth is better than north India as temperature during winter months (November-February) is low in latter and plant remains dominant. For optimum growth, plant requires long day conditions and plenty of sunlight. The shade adversely affects the plant growth and root development of crop.
Propagation:
The Vetiver propagated both by seeds and vegetative parts by splitting the clumps into slips. However, it is desirable to plant the crop for commercial production by the vegetative means i.e. slips. For research purpose, seed propagation is generally meant for development of new varieties in crop improvement programme. The slips are prepared from 6 to 12 months old clumps are cut from 25-35 cm. from the ground level. These clumps are then dug out and divided into slips containing 2-3 tillers. Slips are kept moist and stored in shade. Dried leaves are removed from the slips to avoid the mortality.
Planting:
The plantation of vetiver can be done anytime of the year, except severe winter months (November-Mid January) because the temperature during these months remains very low and hot summer (May-June). The crop planted during rainy season does not require any irrigation, except just after planting. The optimum root growth and oil production, it is recommended to maintain a plant population of 44,000-45,000 plants per hectare with the spacing of 50cm line to line and 45 cm plant to plant distance.
Since, it is a fast growing plant it does not allow any weeds to grow after 2-3 months from planting. One or two weeding is requires during the initial stages for its establishment. In good soils, planting is done at 50 cm. row to row and plant to plant 45 cm whereas in poor or waste soils planting is done at 45 cm row to row and 30 cm. plant to plant is recommended.
Fertilizer Application:
Vetiver is wild grown plant so the fertilization is not required but for optimum root growth and oil production, fertilizer application is recommended depending upon the type of soil. In light textured soil, soils with high pH and laterite soils of south India application of 40kg. of N, 35 kg P2Os and 25 K2O/ha should be made before planting. During second year of crop growth, application of 35kg/ha should be applied after the rains in June-July.
Intercropping:
In vetiver, intercropping during kharif season is found possible because it is slow in growth during initial 60 to 80 days period after planting. Intercropping may be done with leguminous crop namely cowpea (fodder crop) in vetiver to improves the root and oil yield and also economically benefited. The pigeon pea has been found to be the most economically viable intercrop in the vetiver field. On one hand where kharif crops show no adverse effect on the crop, rabi crops like mustard, chickpea and wheat have shown to reduce the oil yield and root growth.
Irrigation:
Regular irrigation is not required in case of crop planted during the rainy season, except at the time of plantations. However, rains free period, irrigation supports is better for plant growth and root yield. Before digging of roots, when field is too dry, a light irrigation minimizes the cost of digging, by increasing the efficiency of labourers and more rootlets can be taken out and separated from the soil easily.
Harvesting/Digging of Roots:
After introduction of new varieties, the time of harvesting is 15-18 months after planting. Low soil moisture at the time of digging helps in separation of roots as soil can be shaken off from the roots easily. The digging of roots before 18 months gives tender and thin roots which yield low quality oil. The odour of such oils is earthy and green and is considered poor in quality. It is advisable to harvest the roots during the dry winter months to get the highest oil yield as well as best quality oil.
Fully developed roots yield oil with high specific gravity and optical rotation, brown colour that gives richer and long lasting odour. The quality of roots and the oil is highly influenced by various factors such as fertility of soil, climatic conditions, quality and age of the roots, harvesting period, and the type of distillation technology.
Distillation:
The extraction of essential oil from the roots is done by steam distillation and or hydro distillation. Freshly dug roots give better oil recovery but poor in quality, whereas semi-dried roots yield essential oil with better odour. Before distillation, roots are cut into small pieces of 5-6 inches in size & sprinkled with water.
In India, three methods are common for distillation of Vetiver roots:
(i) Hydro-distillation or Deg and Bhapka method – This method is adopted by traditional oil distillers of Kannauj. Depending upon the size of deg, 50-100kg., semi-dried roots are distilled. The recovery of oil in this method is lower than the other methods (0.20- 0.25%) and the process is also time taking. But the quality of oil is superior known to perfumer.
(ii) Steam Distillation – In this method, the steam is generated through boiler which is used for the distillation of roots. Boiler operated plants take 10-12 hrs to complete distillation process. In this method, the cost of production is higher than other methods.
(iii) Hydro-steam Distillation – It is done by directly fired distillation units or Field Distillation Unit are easy to operate and the operational cost is also cheap because in this method several kinds of agro-waste including the distillation waste are used as fuel. It is recommended in these methods, the water coming out from separator can be cohobated for higher oil recovery.
Pests Diseases and their Control:
The vetiver plant is highly tolerance to diseases and pests. However, a number of diseases have been reported on Vetiver. Leaf blight is appeared during rainy season. In dry areas plantation is also affected by the termites during the early stages of growth. Grubs of beetle have also been found infesting the roots. Spray of suitable pesticide like chloropyriphos with irrigation water is recommended to check the damage by these insects.
Yield and Oil Content:
The yield of essential oil depends on root yield that depends upon the soil and duration of crop. Crop cultivated on normal soils gives 30-35q semidry roots per ha. from 18 month old plantation. Sandy and sandy loam soil yields about 22-28 q. roots/ha whereas from alkali soil with pH 9.0- 9.2, 13-16q. roots per ha are obtained.
Oil content varies according to location and type of roots. Roots collected from wild sources in north India yield 0.15- 0.35%, whereas in south India it is 0.55-0.65%. The Cultivated roots of improved varieties yield 0.75- 0.85% oil. High yielding varieties may yield 12 to 24 kg/ha, depending upon the soil and management practices.
Uses of Vetiver Oil:
The oil has two varieties north Indian and South Indian type. The odor is sweet, woody, earthy rich-heavy in both the varieties. The North Indian one is more earthy and fresh as compared to South Indian one.
It is used in fragrance for imparting wood-earthy note and also for fixation where color or misability with alcohol is not issue. Can be used upto 20% in fragrance, though general use level is upto 10%. Even in North Indian variety the oil do comes from two modes one by hydro distillation (dig and bhabka) and other by steam distillation. The oil by hydro distillation is more sweet and mellow in odor and used in fine fragrance. The oil out of steam distillation is also used in fragrances particularly in chypre and Fougere types. While South Indian is used in fragrances for soaps and cosmetics.
The vetiver oil and vetiverryl acetate are taken out of vetiver oil by fractionation. Both of them are very important ingredients for fragrances and flavours.
In aromatherapy the vetiver oil is also very important having antiseptic, antispasmodic, sedative and stimulant action. Quite useful for skin care particularly acne, cuts, and oily skin. Effective in arthritis, muscular ache and pain, rheumatic problems and in sprain. Also known as oil of tranquility, used in depression and nervous tension.
In fragrances vetiver oil is used not only as fixative but as odor contribution to fragrance of fougere, chypre, woody, aldehydic or amber-aldehydic type. Also good for oriental bases, woody notes, rose base. It blends well with oakmoss, lavender, clay sage, memosa, cassie and also with synthetics like ionones, iso eugenol, amy salicylate, linalool, cinnamic alcohol, etc.