There is no any doubt that Nepal is rich in biodiversity because of its unique physical features thus we find many flora and fauna here. Nepal covering and are of 147,516 sq km  is an isthmus with two topographically old paleotropic and paleoarctic parcels. The geology of Nepal ranges from sea level lying beneath 100 m in rise to the highest peak of the world at 8,848.86 m. Nepal exhibit 10,167 plant species. Out of 5856 flowering plant documented in Nepal, 690 species are considered for having the medicinal properties. Nepal is exceptionally wealthy in natural assets including local therapeutic plants which are also an essential piece of conventional eastern medication. Medicinal plant has wide scope and has multihued advantages, despite having such importance and prospects still we are unaware of various facts. There is wide gap in the field of knowledge and extension of the medicinal plant, its health benefits, chemical composition and uses. Being an agriculture student I had closely got chance to grab the knowledge on the importance of MPs and techniques to cultivate them. So with the aim to disseminate  knowledge on the medicinal plant along with its cultivation practice, Tunza Eco Generation Regional Ambassador is glad to announce first campaign of 26^th term entitled “ Conserve, cultivate and use medicinal plant: Plant for future”. I will be sharing the use, benefits, chemical composition along with the cultivation practices of the most common and Important Medicinal Plant. Today on my first series I am going to write about citronella, which I had also planted at my hostel and consuming daily along with my tea.

Cymbopogon winterianus (Citronella)

Taxonomic Classification

 

Kingdom Plantae

Phylum Magnoliophyta

Class Liliopsida

Order Poales

Family Pocaceae

Genus Cymbopogon

Species winterianus

Morphology:

Average leaf length of 1 meter. Glaborous leaf and basal sheath ,light green surface.

 

Climatic Condition:

Tropical and Sub-tropical, Hot and humid climate is preferred. Good sunshine, grown upto 1000 - 1500m above the sea level. For luxuriant growth it requires high rainfall (2000- 4500mm/yr). A well - drained sandy loam to clayey - loam soil with rich organic matter  with pH ranging from 4.5 to 7.5. Water- logged soils hamper the growth and development of the plant.

 

Cultivation

•Propagation:- Generally can be propagated from Viable seeds and Rooted slips. The rooted slips contain 1 - 3 tillers.

•Preparation of land:- 1-2 ploughing, 1- disking, 1- harrowing and leveling the soil. However deep ploughing is needed. Free from weeds and stubbles.

•Seed rate:- 1.50- 2.5 kg/ha. Viable seeds should be used for the effective growth and development of the plant.

 

Sowing Season:- Mainly done in June-July, but can be planted anytime of the year if there is sufficient irrigation facility and water availability. If seedlings are grown in nursery bed, the 3-5 weeks old seedlings are transplanted in main field. The healthy rooted slips are planted directly during the rainy season in the main field. This will give the desired plant populations and production of the healthy leaves.

 

 Manures and Fertilizers:- 

10-12 tones of FYM/Compost/ha during the land preparation time.  80:40:40 or 120:50:50 kg of NPK/ha/year is recommended for the better growth and development. Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied 2-4 split doses as top dressing. Due to micro - nutrients (Fe, Zn and S) deficiency, the grass shows a yellowing of leaf.  So 2-3 foliar spray of a complete micro nutrient  is desired.

Interculture: - 2-4 weeding and hoeing should be done

Irrigation: - 10-12 irrigations. The crop is irrigated after every 10-15 days during the dry season.

Diseases: Leaf blight, Anthracnose  are the major disease. For the preservation of plant from this it is recommended to- spray Dithane M-45 .

Harvesting

The crop is ready to harvest at 6-7 months after and then subsequent harvesting is done at 2-3 months intervals up to 4th year The plantation should be uprooted after 5 years and is recommended to rotate with legume crops.

•Yield: - The estimated yield ranges from 15-20 tones of fresh herbage in the first year and subsequently 25-30 tonnes/ha in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year.

•The oil yield:- The estimated yield of oil is 75-100kg/ha in the 1st year ; 150-200 kg/ha in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year

Precaution:

After harvesting, during morning hours, the leaves should be dried for 3-5 hours in bright sunlight.  Dried leaves are turned often to prevent fermentation. The yield of oil ranges from 0.5 to 1.2 percent while in rainy season, it is less and in dry season, the oil yield is none

Chemical evaluation

•The oil is clear, mobile or fluid liquid, pale yellow to light tan colour.

•Generally it is  Powerful lemony scented, woody sweet fragrance.

•Chemical Constituents:-The main constituent present in it are Geraniol. Besides, the oil also consists of Citral, Citranellal, Linalool, Iso-pulegol,

•Actions:- Most importantly it is used as Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, diuretic, febrifuge and tonic. The oil is used in flue, rheumatic pain and menstrual problems

Uses

•The oil is used in soaps, cosmetic, creams and perfumery.

•The oil is used in most major food categories including alcoholic and soft drinks.

•It is used as in insect repellent and deodorants.

•Used as insect repellents and aromatherapeutic agents