Optimizing Variation in Agronomic Traits of Cymbopogon flexuosus and Cymbopogon winterianus in Different Treatments and Altitude of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Cymbopogon flexuosus and Cymbopogon winterianus are aromatic grasses, valued for essential oils. This study aims to develop propagation protocol for C. flexuosus and C. winterianus also evaluating transplanted seedling performance at altitudes ranging from 400 to 1900 m in Uttarakhand, India. Stumps were sterilized using a solution of 1% tween 20 and 1% bavistin for 20 minutes. Twenty-five stumps in triplicates (10 cm in length) were used for each treatment. Organic fertilizers used were manure, organic compost, vermicompost, organic compost + vermicompost. Inorganic fertilizers used were urea (46 mg N kg-1), NPK (12-32–16 mg kg-1), DAP (18–46-0 mg kg-1), NPK+urea and DAP+urea. Auxins used were IAA, IBA and NAA at concentrations of 250, 500 and 1000 mg L-1. The result indicates, that sprouting was 100% in C. flexuosus and C. winterianus. Plant growth of one year treated with DAP+urea exhibited maximum plant height
(121.00, 115.33 cm), tiller/clump (107, 84), leaves/tiller (6.67, 7.33), and herbage weight/plant (1027.96, 990.67 g/plant) in C. flexuosus and C. winterianus respectively. Altitude and treatment showed significant growth response at p ≤ 0.05 in growth of C. flexuosus and C. winterianus. Maximum plant height (125.13, 125.00 cm), tillers/clump (115.33, 95.00), leaf area (4358.67, 5721 mm2), herbage weight/ plant (1200.93, 1227.85 g/plant) and seed number/plant (377.67, 311.33) was observed in DAP+urea at an altitude of 400 m. Root length (73.70; 70.60 cm) was maximum in NAA 250 mg L-1 at an altitude of 400 m in C. flexuosus and C. winterianus respectively. This study recommends use of DAP+urea for mass cultivation of each species at various altitudes and agro-climatic conditions; thereby ensuring efficient protocol for mass cultivation and genetic heterogeneity.