Morphological assessment of leaf yield and yield attributing traits of different germplasm of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out during 2024-25 at the College of Horticulture and Research Station, Sankara, Patan, Mahatma Gandhi Udyaniki Evam Vaniki Vishwavidyalaya (MGUVV), Durg (Chhattisgarh), to assess the morphological variability, growth, yield, and qualitative performance of lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.) germplasm under field conditions. The experiment consisted of nine germplasm- Local collection, Praman, Pragati, Neema, Krishna, CG-1, CKP-25, CIM-Shikhar, Cauvery, laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Observations were recorded on important growth, yield and qualitative parameters, and the data were statistically analysed to assess variability among the germplasm. Significant variation was observed for all the traits studied. Days taken to sprouting ranged from 9.3 to 11.9 days, with Krishna (G₅) recording the earliest sprouting. Krishna (G₅) also recorded the maximum values for plant height at 30, 60, 90 DAP (44.6, 83.0, 122.5 cm), leaf length at 30, 60, 90 DAP (36.8, 68.6, 96.7 cm) and leaf width at 30, 60, 90 DAP (1.11, 1.82, 2.84 cm), number of tillers per plant at 30, 60, 90 DAP (6.40, 26.27, 26.3), stem diameter at 30, 60, 90 DAP (3.51, 5.72, 8.03 cm), number of leaves per tiller at 30, 60, 90 DAP (2.8, 4.0, 5.1) and leaf area index (85.8). Total fresh and dry herbage yields ranged from 79.2 to 129.5 g per plant and 22.0 to 36.2 g per plant, respectively, with the highest yields obtained in Krishna (G₅), followed by CIM Shikhar (G₈) and Praman (G₂). The Local Collection (G₁) recorded the lowest performance for most parameters. Overall, Krishna (G₅) was identified as the most promising germplasm for higher herbage yield under the Chhattisgarh plains.