Genotypic Variation for Oil Content and its Quality in Lemongrass Germplasm

Abstract

Lemongrass is an important essential oil bearing aromatic grass. It consists of different species viz.- Cymbopogon flexuosus Staf. (East Indian type), Cymbopogonpendulus (Jammu type), Cymbopogon citratus (West Indian type) and Cymbopogon khasianus. Different species vary with regards to chemical composition of the essential oil. The essential oil is a source of an aromatic chemical citral, which is precursor for synthesizing a-ionone (used in perfumery, flavouring and cosmetic industries) and p-ionone (used in manufacture of vitamin A).