Performance of lemongrass cultivars intercropped with chamomile under sodic soils with different levels of gypsum application

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in sodic soils (pH 9.8, ESP 60) with different levels of chemical amendment (gypsum) to evaluate the performance of three cultivars of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), i.e., Praman, Pragati, and CKP-25. Lemongrass was planted in mid July and three harvests of fresh herbs were taken in a year. The three levels of gypsum were a control (no gypsum), GR₂₅ (25% of the gypsum requirement) and GR₅₀ (50% of the gypsum requirement). Praman was observed to be the most and CKP-25 the least suitable variety for sodic soils. A gypsum level of GR₂₅ (25% of gypsum requirement) was found to be optimum for higher production of lemongrass in such soil. Gypsum application significantly influenced the herb and oil yield and accumulation of major as well as trace elements. Seedlings of chamomile (Matricaria chamomila) were planted in between the rows of lemongrass. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomila) grown as an intercrop produced flowers equivalent to 75–104 kg lemongrass oil. Use of amendments (gypsum) and cropping had significant influence on the physico-chemical characteristics of the soil.

Acknowledgments