Privi Life Sciences - Crop Journal

Lemon Grass

Crop Category

Aromatic Crops

Applicable Product

Description

Lemon Grass, is a perennial grass grown for its fragrant leaves and stalks which are used as a flavoring.

It is mainly cultivated in many parts of tropical and sub-tropical South East Asia and Africa.

India grows Lemon Grass in 3,000 hectares which produces around 300-350 tonnes/year.

In India Lemon Grass is mainly cultivated in Punjab, Kerala, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Taxonomic Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Cyperales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Cymbopogan
Species: flexuosus

Economically Important Part

Stalks and leaf base are the most economically important part of Lemon Grass

Conditions for Cultivation

Lemon Grass grows well in both tropical and subtropical climates at an elevation upto 900 m.

Ideal conditions for cultivating Lemon Grass are warm and humid climates with sufficient sunshine and 250-330 cm rainfall per annum.

A temperature ranging from 20°C -30°C and good sunshine throughout the year is conducive to high crop yield.

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.

Major Challenges

The major challenges involve Biotic and Abiotic causes.
Biotic Causes:
- Major Pests: Termites, Mealy Bug, Stem Borer and Spittle Bug.
- Major Diseases: Little Leaf, Rust, Leaf Spot, Gray Blight and Collar Rot.
Abiotic Causes:
- Chlorosis
- Necrosis

Crop Schedule

Crop Stage	Products	Dosage	Method Of Application	Benefits
Basal Fertilizer	Geoxol.COM	15 kg / hectare / application with basal fertilizer, if soil organic carbon (more than / equal to 0.5%) and bulk denisty (less than or equal to 1.6 g / cm3) 20-25 kg / hectare / application with basal fertilizer, if soil organic carbon (less than 0.5%) and bulk denisty (more than 1.6 g / cm3)	Soil Application	Rejuvenates soil for sustainable growth of crops
3 -4 weeks after transplanting or sowing	Mycoxol4G	500 g / hectare / application, if soil pH (less than / equal to 7.5) and available P (more than / equal to 15 kg / ha) Combination of Mycoxol 4G (500g / hectare) and Alpha Shield (1000g / hectare), if soil pH (more than 7.5) and available P (less than15 kg / ha)	Soil Application	Reduces incidence of soil borne diseases, improves availability of phosphorous and other micronutrients
7-10 days after Pruning	PeakMAX	1000 ml / hectare / application	Foliar / Soil Drenching	Improves vegetative growth and reduces disease pressure
3-4 weeks after Pruning	Privid	1200 ml / hectare / application	Foliar Application	Promotes vegetative growth
6-7 weeks after Pruning	Silixol OSA	1000 ml / hectare / application	Foliar Application	Reduces impact of abiotic stress
Deficiency of Iron	Nutrin Fe 12%	650 g / hectare / application, if soil Fe (less than 4.5 ppm),repeat application is recommended based on deficiency. Suitable for foliar sprays for crops grown on all types of soil.	Foliar spray	Corrects Iron deficiency
Deficiency of Iron	Nutrin Fe EDDHA 6%	2.5-5.0 kg / hectare / application, if soil Fe (less than 4.5 ppm),repeat application is recommended based on deficiency. Suitable for calcerous soils with pH above 7.5	Soil application	Corrects Iron deficiency
Deficiency of Boron	Nutrin Boron 20%	650 g / hectare / application, if soil Fe (less than 25 ppm),repeat application is recommended based on deficiency	Foliar spray	Corrects Boron deficiency
After 15-20 days of crop establishment	Mycoxol 4G	500 g/hectare/application, if soil pH (less than or equal to 7.5) and availble P (more than 15 kg/ha) - if fertigation is available	Soil application	Reduces incidence of soil borne diseases, improves availability of phosphorous and other micronutrients
After 15-20 days of crop establishment	Mycoxol Granules	10-20 Kg/ha/application, depending upon soil properties - if crop is on flood irrigation	Soil application	Reduces incidence of soil borne diseases, improves availability of phosphorous and other micronutrients

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