Herb and oil yield of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) as influenced by crop geometry and nitrogen levels under Punjab Conditions

Abstract

The experiments on crop geometry and nitrogen requirements of lemongrass were conducted at
Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2007-
08 to 2009-10 on loamy sand soil low in organic carbon and available nitrogen but medium in
available phosphorus and potassium. In experiment I, five treatments of different combinations of
row and plant spacing 60 × 60 cm2, 60 × 45 cm2, 60 × 30 cm2, 45 × 45 cm2 and 45 × 30 cm2) were tested
in RBD with four replications. In Experiment II, four levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha)
were tested in RBD with three replications. The pooled data revealed that the highest herb and oil
yield was produced in 60 × 30 cm spacing which was statistically at par with 45 × 30 cm, 45 × 45 cm,
60 × 30 cm, 60 × 45 cm spacing and significantly higher than 60 × 60 cm. The application of 100 kg
N/ha produced the maximum herb and oil yield which was significantly better than 50 kg N/ha
and control (without nitrogen) and it was statistically similar to 150 kg N/ha. Different spacing and
nitrogen levels did not show significant effects on the oil content in the herb.