Citronella

Annual grass production-531 tons

Citronella is an aromatic perennial herb growing up to two-meter height. HPPCL has been cultivating this crop since 1982 A.D. in the Terai region of Nepal.

This crop is propagated by slips. Slips are prepared by splitting two-year-old clump of Citornella. June-July is main sowing season and first harvested after 3 months of transplantation. Second harvest starts after 40-45 days of first harvesting. Harvesting is 4 times within a year. Winter season is dormant season and therefore no harvesting is done.

After plugging and harrowing of field, slips are transplanted in Row to Row distance (40-50cm) and plant to plant distance (30-40cm.)