Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Zeenat Parveen and Prathiba Katiyar

Abstract:
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is an aromatic perennial oil bearing grass used in traditional medicine, pharmaceutical and other industries due to having antimicrobial activities increasing in demand. Therefore, to establish the appropriate cultivation practices for its potential production at Chhattisgarh plain as well as to find out the suitable varieties for the region under rain-fed and irrigated conditions in two consecutive year was conducted. Hence, five varieties (Krishna, Pragati, Neema, Kaveri, CG Lemongrass-1) and seven nutrient management treatments i.e., T₁ (Control), T₂ (NPK @ 120:60:60 kg/ha.+ S @ 60 kg/ ha)., T₃ (T₂ + 100 ppm GA₃), T₄ (T₂ + 100 ppm IAA), T₅ (FYM @ 10 tonnes/ha. + S @ 60 kg/ha), T₆ (T₅ + 100 ppm GA₃), T₇ (T₅ + 100 ppm IAA) were used in two cultivation practices i.e., irrigated and rainfed in double split plot design. The morpho-physiological, biochemical were observed to study the response of varieties on three cuttings, first at 120 days after plantation (DAP), second after 240 DAP and third after 360 DAP. Study revealed that variety Krishna performed significantly superior in irrigated as well as in rain-fed conditions to obtain in plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, specific leaf area, absolute growth rate. Variety Krishna and Neema performed superior in both irrigated and rain-fed situations regarding proline content, phenol content. While, the nitrogen and protein content, ash content significantly increased with treatment T₄ (NPK @ 120:60:60 kg/ha. + S @ 60 kg/ ha. +100 ppm IAA).