Added Value of Local Organic Wastes to Develop Aromatic Plants in Agroforestry

Abstract

An agroforestry system consisting of fast-growing aromatic plants, such as citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus L.) and tree crops that produce aromatic substances, such as ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson forma genuina), was an alternative to the sustainable agricultural system. The growth and oil production of citronella grass can be enhanced by fertilization and planting patterns. The effects of planting patterns of citronella grass and ylang-ylang and compost application from various organic wastes on plant growth, biomass weight, and citronellal and geraniol content of citronella grass were investigated in a field experiment. The experiment consisted of two factors: planting patterns and types of fertilizer. Planting patterns (main plot) consisted of two levels, with citronella grass planted between ylang-ylang rows (IR) and between and within ylang-ylang rows (IWR). Five levels of fertilizer types comprised the subplot: no fertilization (P0), bamboo leaf compost (P1), vetiver leaf compost (P2), dairy cow dung compost (P3), and inorganic fertilizer (P4). Compost made from dairy cow manure significantly increased leaf length, tiller count per plant, canopy width, and citronellal content. Furthermore, its application in the IWR pattern revealed the optimal interaction that significantly increased citronella grass canopy width 4 and 8 weeks after planting. This result indicated that local organic wastes greatly aided the development of aromatic plants in agroforestry.