Comparative study on changes in biochemical constituents, yield and quality of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) grown under different soil types

ABSTRACT Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is a perennial aromatic grass suitable for cultivation on a wide range of soils. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of lemongrass for utilizing alkaline lands and to examine the biochemical, yield and quality response of lemongrass cultivars on different soils. In this experiment, soils with different soil texture, i.e. S1- Clay loam soil; S2- Loamy sand soil; S3- Sandy loam soil; S4- Loam soil, were taken from different geographical locations. Physico-chemical properties, initial soil status of selected soil types were tested. Growth parameters, biochemical enzymes, yield and quality parameters of lemongrass varieties were determined. Post-harvest status of soils was also analyzed. Soil calcareousness and other soil characteristics like cation exchange capacity significantly impacted lemongrass varieties on biochemical properties such as proline content, lipid peroxidation, nitrate reductase activity, herb and oil yields, and constituents of essential oil. The herbage and oil yield of lemongrass significantly decreased with an upsurge in soil calcareousness. The total citral content in the essential oil was highest for the variety ‘Krishna’ (85.33%) grown in clay loam soil and lowest in ‘CIM-Shikhar’ variety (65.09%) grown in sandy loam soil. Post-harvest data of soils showed significant impact on soil ameliorating potential of lemongrass.