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Research & Reviews : Journal of Botany Original Research

Agronomic Performance, Harvest Dynamics, and Oil Yield of Lemongrass Varieties in a Semi‐Arid Ecosystem: Effects of NPK Regime and Harvest Timing

  1. Siddhartha Mehrotra Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow
  2. Gauri Saxena Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow

Abstract

This study investigated the agronomic performance, biomass production, and essential oil yield of three lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.) varieties (CKP-25, Krishna & Pragati) under varying NPK fertilization regimes and harvest timings in a semi-arid ecosystem. A split-plot factorial design with four nutrient levels (Control, 50%, 100%, and 150% of the recommended NPK dose) and two harvest stages (90 and 180 days after planting, DAP) was implemented. Results revealed that both NPK regime and harvest timing significantly influenced plant growth, biomass accumulation, and oil yield (p < 0.001). The 180 DAP harvest produced on average 40% higher biomass and oil yield than the 90 DAP harvest, attributed to extended canopy expansion and increased photosynthetic activity. Among the nutrient treatments, the Medium NPK regime (120–60–60 kg ha⁻¹) proved most effective, providing an optimal balance between productivity, input efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Pragati consistently exhibited superior performance across treatments, indicating greater nutrient-use efficiency and adaptability to semi-arid stress. Correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships between biomass yield and oil yield (r = 0.92), followed by tiller number (r = 0.88) and oil content (r = 0.85). Regression modeling identified biomass yield and oil content as the most influential predictors of oil productivity (R² = 0.93). These findings highlight the synergistic importance of balanced nutrient management, genotype selection, and optimized harvest timing for maximizing lemongrass yield and oil quality in resource-limited, semi-arid environments. The study provides actionable insights for sustainable agronomic planning and varietal improvement aimed at enhancing essential oil production and ecological resilience.

Keywords

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