Climate-Smart Lemongrass (Cymbopogon khasianus) Consistently Produces High-Quality Essential Oils in Semi-Arid, Tropical Southern India

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Climate-Smart Lemongrass (Cymbopogon khasianus) Consistently Produces High-Quality Essential Oils in Semi-Arid, Tropical Southern India - Cymbopogon khasianus, a climate-smart lemongrass, consistently produces high-quality essential oil in semi-arid southern India a sustainable solution to climate change challenges.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon khasianus) is one of the most important aromatic crops, known for producing high-quality essential oils rich in citral. Recent research highlights its potential as a climate-smart crop, thanks to its ability to thrive in semi-arid, tropical regions like southern India, while maintaining consistent yields and oil quality across multiple harvests and years.

What Is Climate-Smart Lemongrass?

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) refers to farming practices that are resilient to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance productivity.

Cymbopogon khasianus exemplifies CSA because it is:

• Drought-tolerant and hardy.
• Productive even on marginal soils.
• Consistently delivers high-quality essential oil despite environmental stress.

Advantages of Cymbopogon khasianus in Semi-Arid Tropics

Long-term trials in southern India’s semi-arid tropical climate demonstrated that this lemongrass:

• Produces stable essential oil yields, even during dry seasons.
• Maintains oil quality across successive cuttings and multiple years.
• Shows natural resilience to heat and moisture stress.

Its essential oil, rich in citral, is highly valued in the fragrance, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.

With the escalating impacts of climate change, farmers in dry and marginal regions often face crop failures and low incomes. Climate-smart crops like Cymbopogon khasianus offer a sustainable solution:

• Requires less water than many conventional crops.
• Grows well on poor soils without heavy inputs.
• Generates a reliable income from the high-value oil market.

Interested in sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture?

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