Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences

Abstract

Lemon-scented Ocimum (Ocimum africanum) belongs to the family "Lamiaceae". The essential oil of different Ocimum species is extracted by hydro- or steam distillation from the leaves or whole herb and is used to flavor foods, high grade fragrances, traditional ritual ceremonies and house hold medicines.  The cultivar CIM Jyoti of Ocimum africanum has been developed by CSIR-CIMAP through intensive breeding efforts for higher herb and essential oil containing desirable content of citral (76.05%). The variety CIM Jyoti consistently showed these quality attributes in the field evaluation trials.  The average herb and oil yield of this variety is 200 q/ha and 150 kg/ha, respectively. The citral (Neral+Geranial) content in its oil ranged from 68-76%. In these days essential oil having high amount of citral is in good demand.  The lemongrass crop is the only source of essential oil for the extraction of citral.  But lemongrass is a 4-5 years crop and farmers are hesitating to cultivate a long duration crop like lemongrass in their field. They have been demanding a short duration citral yielding crop for this purpose that should not disturb their traditional cereal and other crops cycle. CIM-Jyoti which is a short duration (70-80 days) variety fits very well in crop rotation/ intercropping between wheat and paddy and with other vegetables crops. Leaves of this variety can also be used in lemon teas.