Volume: 47 Issue: 4
Ecological analysis of Cymbopogon species: A comprehensive review
Year: 2025, Page: 178-185, Doi: https://doi.org/10.62029/jmaps.v47i4.devi
Received: Dec. 24, 2024 Accepted: March 5, 2026 Published: Aug. 6, 2026
Cymbopogon species are known for their characteristic aroma and grow in different regions of the world. In India, 45 species are being grown for producing lemongrass essential oil (EO). Globally, grasslands are among the most widely distributed terrestrial biomes, including all herbaceous vegetation, and Cymbopogon types (low hills) are one of them. This review addresses the different physiological trait variations for adaptations influenced by climatic factors and the rate of biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration, EO yield, quality, and chemical compositions. EO extracted from different Cymbopogon species used in managing stored grain pests and pathogens to decrease the harmful effects and risk of synthetic insecticides on human beings and their surroundings is also reviewed. Previous studies on Cymbopogon species had primarily focused on pharmaceutical applications, cosmetics, aromatherapy, food preservation, and agriculture. Thus, the comprehensive review is done to understand the different environmental interactions, productivity, and carbon sequestration in aromatic grass biomass that can potentially contribute to the socio-economic. Enhancement of our nation and mitigate the present scenario of global warming, as well as aromatic grass as potent biopesticides to overcome the post-harvest lost in the world.
Keywords: Biomass, Carbon sequestration, Cymbopogon stability analysis, Environmental factors, EOs, Pathogens, Pests
Arpiwi, N. L., Muksin, I. K., & Kartini, N. L. (2020). Essential oil from Cymbopogon nardus and repellant activity against Aedes aegypti. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 21(8).
Avoseh, O., Oyedeji, O., Rungqu, P., Nkeh-Chungag, B., & Oyedeji, A. (2015). Cymbopogon species: Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and the pharmacological importance. Molecules, 20, 7438–7453.
Azeez, M. A., & Morakinyo, J. A. (2011). Path analysis of the relationships between single plant seed yield and some morphological traits in sesame (Sesamum and Ceratotheca genera). International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics, 5(4), 358–368.
Barbhuiya, H. A., Dutta, B. K., Das, A. K., & Baishya, A. K. (2013). An annotated checklist of the grasses (Poaceae) of southern Assam. Check List, 9(5), 980.
Bhan, M. K., Pal, S., Rao, B. L., Dhar, A. K., & Kang, M. S. (2005). GGE biplot analysis of oil yield in lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.). Journal of New Seeds, 7(2), 127–139.
Blair, J., Nippert, J., & Briggs, J. (2014). Grassland ecology. In Ecology and the Environment (pp. 389–423). Springer.
Bruneton, J. (1999). Toxic plants dangerous to humans and animals. Intercept Limited.
Caballero-Gallardo, K., Olivero-Verbel, J., & Stashenko, E. E. (2012). Repellency and toxicity of essential oils from Cymbopogon martinii, Cymbopogon flexuosus, and Lippia origanoides cultivated in Colombia against Tribolium Ecological analysis of Cymbopogon species castaneum. Journal of Stored Products Research, 50, 62–65.
Chauhan, N. K., Semwal, M. P., Singh, D., Singh, B., & Rauthan, S. (2017). Influence of various plant spacing on growth, herbage yield, essential oil yield and aroma content of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii Roxb.) under agro-climatic conditions of Doon valley. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 20(6), 1587–1593.
Chen, Y., Li, Y., Su, Z., & Xian, J. (2017). Insecticidal and repellent action of pogostone against Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Florida Entomologist, 100(2), 346–349.
Devi, M. A. (2023). Ecological studies of native and exotic lemongrass species growing in Manipur [Doctoral dissertation, Manipur University].
Devi, M. A., & Singh, T. B. (2023). Composition of essential oil of indigenous and exotic species of lemongrass growing in Manipur. Annals of Multidisciplinary Research, Innovation and Technology (AMRIT), 2(2), 58–64.
Devi, M. A., Sahoo, D., Singh, T. B., & Rajashekar, Y. (2021). Antifungal activity and volatile organic compound analysis of essential oils from Cymbopogon species using solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 3, 100110.
Devi, M. A., Nameirakpam, B., Devi, T. B., Mayanglambam, S., Singh, K. D., Sougrakpam, S., Shadia, S., Tongbram, M., & David Singh, S. (2020). Chemical compositions and insecticidal efficacies of four aromatic essential oils on rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae L. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 40, 549–559.
Devi, M. A., Sahoo, D., Singh, T. B., & Rajashekar, Y. (2019). Toxicity, repellency and chemical composition of essential oils from Cymbopogon species against red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, 1–11.
Ewa, M., Mariola, K., Eliza, G., Dorota, K., & Katarzyna, T. (2019). Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oil: Extraction, composition, bioactivity and uses for food preservation: A review. Polish Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences, 69(4), 327–341.
Fu, X., Wang, J., Wang, H., Dai, X., Yang, F., & Zhao, M. (2016). Response of the fine root production, phenology, and turnover rate of six shrub species from a subtropical forest to a soil moisture gradient and shading. Plant and Soil, 399, 135–146.
Gebhart, D. L., Johnson, H. B., Mayeux, H. S., & Polley, H. W. (1994). The CRP increases soil organic carbon. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 49(5), 488–492.
Garcia, M., Donadel, O. J., Ardanaz, C., Tonn, C. E., & Sosa, M. E. (2005). Toxic and repellent effects of Baccharis salicifolia essential oil on Tribolium castaneum. Pest Management Science, 61, 612–618.
Han, J., Zhang, A., Kang, Y., Han, J., Yang, B., Hussain, Q., & Khan, M. A. (2022). Biochar promotes soil organic carbon sequestration and reduces net global warming potential in apple orchard: A two-year study in the Loess Plateau of China. Science of the Total Environment, 803, 150035.
Hassan, E. (2016). Comparative study on the biosorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) using lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): Kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics. Chemistry International, 2(2), 89–102.
Houghton, R. A., Butman, D., Bunn, A. G., Krankina, O. N., Schlesinger, P., & Stone, T. A. (2007). Mapping Russian forest biomass with data from satellites and forest inventories. Environmental Research Letters, 2(4), 045032.
Isman, M. B. (2000). Plant essential oils for pest and disease management. Crop Protection, 19(8–10), 603–608.
Isman, M. B. (2006). Botanical insecticides, deterrents, and repellents in modern agriculture and an increasingly
regulated world. Annual Review of Entomology, 51, 45–66.
Ibrahim, M. M., & Khalid, K. A. (2013). Phenotypic recurrent selection on herb growth yield of citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) grown in Egypt. Nusantara Bioscience, 5(2).
Kanjilal, U. N., Kanjilal, P. C., Das, A., De, R. N., & Bor, N. L. (1934–1940). Flora of Assam (Vols. 1–5). Assam
Govt. Press.
Kassahun, B. M., Mekonnen, S. A., Abedena, Z. T., Kidanemariam, H. G., Yalemtesfa, B., Atnafu, G., & da Silva, J. A. T. (2011). Performance of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus L . ( DC) S tapf) a gronomic and chemical traits in different agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology, 5(2), 133–138.
Khanuja, S. P., Shasany, A. K., Pawar, A., Lal, R. K., Darokar, M. P., Naqvi, A. A., & Kumar, S. (2005). Essential oil constituents and RAPD markers to establish species relationships in Cymbopogon Spreng (Poaceae). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 33(2), 171–186.
Kumar, B., Singh, H. P., & Patra, N. K. (2008). Stability analysis for essential oil yield and quality traits in
Japanese mint. Indian Journal of Horticulture, 65(2), 245–247.
Lal, M., Baruah, J., Begum, T., & Pandey, S. K. (2020). Identification of a novel myrcene- and methyl isoeugenol-rich essential oil variant (Jor Lab L-11) of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus L.). Journal of
Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 23(4), 660–668.
Lal, M., Borah, A., & Pandey, S. K. (2019). Identification of a new high geraniol-rich variety “Jor Lab L-15”
of lemongrass [Cymbopogon khasianus (Hack) Stapf ex Bor]. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 22(4), 972–978.
Lal, M., Dutta, S., & Bhattacharyya, P. R. (2016a). Development of a high-yielding variety Jor Lab L-8
of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus L.). Annals of Agri-Bio Research, 21(1), 22–23.
Lal, M., Dutta, S., & Bhattacharyya, P. R. (2016b). Development of a new superior variety (Jor Lab C-5)
of Java citronella with stable and high oil yield. Annals of Biology, 32(1), 22–23.
Lawrence, B. M. (2004). Aromatic plants for the flavor and fragrance industries. In Encyclopedia of Plant and Crop Science (pp. 58–64). CRC Press.
Lehmkuhl, J. F., Upreti, R. K., & Sharma, U. R. (1988). National parks and local development: Grasses
and people in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Environmental Conservation, 15(2), 143–148.
Madgwick, H. A. I. (1976). Mensuration of forest biomass. In New Zealand Forest Service Technical Paper (pp. 35–57).
Mukarram, M., Choudhary, S., Khan, M. A., Poltronieri, P., Khan, M. M. A., Ali, J., & Shahid, M. (2021). Lemongrass essential oil components with antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Antioxidants, 11(1), 20.
Naugraiya, M. N., & Pathak, P. S. (1986). An analysis of grassland vegetation on a toposequence. Indian Journal of Range Management, 7(1), 27–32.
Nenaah, G. E., Ibrahim, S. J. A., & Al-Assiuty, B. A. (2015). Chemical composition, insecticidal activity and persistence of three Asteraceae essential oils and their nanoemulsions against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Journal of Stored Products Research, 61, 9–16.
Padalia, R. C., Verma, R. S., Chanotiya, C. S., & Yadav, A. (2011). Chemical fingerprinting of the fragrance volatiles of nineteen Indian cultivars of Cymbopogon Spreng. (Poaceae). Records of Natural Products, 5(4), 290–299.
Patra, N. K., Chauhan, S. P., & Mandal, S. (1988). Stability analysis in peppermint. Crop Science.
Pimentel, M. A. G., Faroni, L. R. D. A., & Tótola, M. R. (2007). Phosphine resistance, respiration rate and fitness consequences in stored product insects. Pest Management Science, 63, 876–881.
Rajashekar, Y., Bakthavatsalam, N., & Shivanandappa, T. (2012). Botanicals as grain protectants. Psyche: A Journal of Entomology, 2012(1), 646740.
Rajashekar, Y., Kumar, H. V., Ravindra , K . V., & Bakthavatsalam, N. (2013). Isolation and characterization of biofumigant from leaves of Lantana camara for control of stored grain insect pests. Industrial Crops and Products, 51, 224–228.
Rajendran, S., & Sriranjini, V. (2008). Plant products as fumigants for stored-product insect control. Journal of Stored Products Research, 44(2), 126–135.
Sanjita, C., Thounaojam, R. S., Singh, T. B., & Singh, N. D. (2022). Soil CO₂ efflux variability influenced by different factors in the subtropical sacred groves of Manipur, North-East India. Tropical Ecology, 63(4), 650–663.
Shahi, A. K., Sharma, S. N., & Tava, A. (1997). Composition of Cymbopogon pendulus ( Nees e x S teud.) Wats, an elemicin-rich oil grass grown in Jammu Region of India. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 9(5), 561–563.
Sharma, J. R., Naqvi, A. A., Lal, R. K., & Mishra, H. O. (1988). Genetic variation and stability of oil and citral biosynthesis in lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus). Genetics Agriculture, 42(1), 13–24.
Sharma, S. N., Baleshwar, & Taneja, S. C. (2002). Growth studies on an elemicin-containing grass: Cymbopogon pendulus (Nees ex Steud.) Wats. Indian Perfumer, 46(2), 105–108.
Singh, A. N., & Singh, J. S. (1999). Biomass, net primary production and impact of bamboo plantation on soil redevelopment in a dry tropical region. Forest Ecology and Management, 119(1–3), 195–207.
Singh, J. S., & Misra, R. (1969). Diversity, dominance, stability, and net production in the grasslands at Varanasi, India. Canadian Journal of Botany, 47(3), 425–427.
Tibenda, J. J., Yi, Q., Wang, X., & Zhao, Q. (2022). Review of phytomedicine, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacological activities of Cymbopogon genus. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 997918.
Wei, X., Shao, M., Gale, W., & Li, L. (2014). Global pattern of soil carbon losses due to the conversion of forests to agricultural land. Scientific Reports, 4, 4062.
Yogendra, N. D., Nazeer, M., Yadav, M. K., Baskaran, K., Pragadheesh, V. S., Jnanesha, A. C., & Srinivas, K. S. (2022). Comparative morphological assessment of lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.) cultivars for oil yield, chemical composition and quality parameters under southern region of India. Madras Agricultural Journal, 108(10–12).
Zapata, N., & Smagghe, G. (2010). Repellency and toxicity of essential oils from the leaves and bark of Laurelia sempervirens and Drimys winteri against Tribolium castaneum. Industrial Crops and Products, 32(3), 405–410.
Zhang, Y., Wang, Q., Wang, Z., Yang, Y., & Li, J. (2020). Impact of human activities and climate change on the grassland dynamics under different regime policies in the Mongolian Plateau. Science of the Total Environment, 698, 134304.
Zhao, Y., Liu, Z., & Wu, J. (2020). Grassland ecosystem services: A systematic review of research advances and future directions. Landscape Ecology, 35, 793–814.
Zheljazkov, V. D., Cantrell, C. L., Astatkie, T., & Cannon, J. B. (2011). Lemongrass productivity, oil content, and composition as a function of nitrogen, sulfur, and harvest time. Agronomy Journal, 103(3), 805–812.
Zhou, Y., Hartemink, A. E., Shi, Z., Liang, Z., & Lu, Y. (2019). Land use and climate change effects on soil organic carbon in North and Northeast China. Science of the Total Environment, 647, 1230–1238.
© CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow, India.
Devi, M. A., Singh, T. B., Shukla, J. K., & Srivastava, R. K. (2025). Ecological analysis of Cymbopogon species: A comprehensive review. Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences, 47(4), 178–185. https://doi.org/10.62029/jmaps.v47i4.devi
