Lemon grass is cultivated as a medicinal plant. In India, it is grown on a commercial basis. It is also known as China Grass, Lemon Grass, Malabar Grass, Indian Lemon Grass and Ko China Grass. Its leaves contain 75 per cent citral, due to which it has a lemon-like aroma. In addition, the oil obtained from its leaves is used to make cosmetics such as high-quality perfumes, soaps and beverages, and the remaining part is used to make paper and green manure. Moreover, trailer tractor is used to transport material in the market.
Uses of Lemon Grass
- Lemon grass can also be used for making chicken.
- Lemon grass can also be used while making tea.
- Lemon grass can also be used with soup.
- Lemon grass has a sourness similar to lemon, which can be used in place.
Soil, Climate & Temperature
It can be cultivated in any fertile soil. Cultivation of lemon grass should not be done on waterlogged land. Its cultivation is regular P.H. It is done in the land of value. Its cultivation requires a warm and temperate climate. Its plants need more sunlight. The yield is good if its plants get enough sunlight during winter. Its plants require only 200 to 250 cm of rain during the rainy season.
Field Preparation
For the cultivation of lemongrass, friable soil is required. Therefore, the field is first ploughed deeply to make the ground crispy. After the first ploughing of the area, 10 to 12 carts of old cow dung must be put in it. After this, two to three slant ploughing of the field is done, due to which the dung manure gets adequately mixed in the area’s soil. Then the field is pulverized by applying water. After ploughing, once the ground becomes dry, it is pressed again, due to which the earthen lumps in the area are broken, and the soil of the field becomes friable.
Finally, the beds are prepared at a suitable distance for planting the plants in a flat area. If you want to use chemical fertilizers in the field of lemongrass, you need two bags of NPK per hectare. The amount of spray is to be done at the time of the last ploughing of the area. Apart from this, after harvesting, give about 20 to 25 kg of nitrogen per acre. Due to this, new branches are formed on the plants in a short time, due to which the plants get more yield.
Transplanting Method
Lemongrass plants are transplanted both by cutting and seed. If you want to transplant through a source, you need about 2 to 3 kg of seeds in a one-hectare field, and for transplanting as seedlings, the cuttings are planted in the prepared beds in the area. These beds are prepared in rows, in which a distance of one to one and a half feet is kept between each row. After this, the seedlings planted in the row are produced at a distance of one to one and a half feet, and the plants have to be grown at a depth of 3 to 4 cm.
Apart from this, plants can also be transplanted as old roots. This method is called the slip method. In this, the old plants planted to prepare the cutting are cut from the height of 8 to 10 cm from the root. After this, those roots are uprooted, and the slips (tiny seeds) are separated from them. Finally, these separated roots are planted in the field at a depth of 3 to 4 cm. This method is considered the best.
Irrigation
Its plants are transplanted during the rainy season, so they do not require much irrigation. But to get a high yield, the plants have to be rinsed. The first irrigation of its plants is done immediately after transplanting, and water must be given at an interval of two to three days to maintain the moisture in the field till the germination of seedlings. Its plants need more irrigation in the summer, once a week after germination, and in the winter, water should be given in 20 days. Its plants are ready for the first harvesting after three months, and water must be given to the plants after each harvesting.
Weed Control
Protecting lemongrass plants from weeds for the first two months is essential. Its first hoeing must be done 10 to 12 days after transplanting, and the subsequent hoeing is done at 10 to 15 days. The crop must be hoped for immediately after harvesting. Apart from this, if you want to control weeds by chemical method, you must spray Duran and oxyfluorfen in the field.
Harvesting
It takes 60 to 90 days for lemongrass plants to be ready for harvesting. Once its plants are prepared, they give yield for 5 years. Its first harvesting is done three months after transplanting, and after every harvesting, there is an increase in the product. When harvesting, one thing must be taken care of and the plants should be cut from 10 to 12 cm above, so new plants grow well.
