CELERY ( Apium graveolens Linn ). Celery is a native of the Mediterranean region, introduced into India during late ninteenth century. India is now the principal grower ( of the annual type ) and exports large quantities of celery seeds ( worth 17.5 millions to the American and European markets. About 8000 ha is put under this crop, mainly in the Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Jallundhar districts of the Punjab State and to a smaller extent in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The clery seed is used in ground form as a dry seasoning powder and for the extraction of an oleoresin used to flavour a large variety of canned food products. The celery seed oil commands a larger market mainly in the confectionery industry. Whereas the bulk of celery seed is exported, a few local firms also produce its essential oil and olioresin on a small scale.

Celery is an erect, branchin herb, about 100 cm tall. it is a rabi crop which remains for 2 months in the nursery and for another 4 to 4 1/2 months in the field. Nursery is raised during early November. The seed - rate used is 2 kg. per hectare. The nursery - beds are kept moist and free from weeds through periodic irrigation followed by interculture. The seedlings grow up to 10 cm tall by the end of December and are ready for transplanting. The seedlings are usually planted 45 cm x 20 cm apart in early January in well - prepared fields, to which 30-50 tonnes of farmyard manure per ha is added during the preperatory tillage. On medium soils, about 80 Kg N, 40 Kg of P and 20 Kg of K per ha is applied to the crop; half of N along with the entire quantity of P and K is given to the rows at the time of planting and the remaining N is given as a top - dressing after one month. The crop requires 10-12 irrigations, each about 5 cm deep. Once estalished the crop requires 3 to 4 hoeings to keep down weeds . The plants bear flowers in umbels during early March and the fruits mature in late April. The Crop is harvested when about 80 per cent of the umbels begin to turn light brown. The harvested crop as stacked in the field for few days and is then threshed to obtain the seeds. The average grain yield ranges from 10 to 12 quintals per ha.

The celery ( seed ) on distillation yields to 2.1 to 2.3% of an essential oil containing selinene,d-limonene and sesquiterpenes. Oleoresin is prepared by using the method of the solvent extraction of the seeds. The seeds yields glycoside opiin. The crop remains remarkably free from pests and diseases.

Rose geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit ) Pelargonium is a native of the hilly tracts of Cape Colony ( South Africa ). The highly aromatic 'Rose Geranium' is a hybrid ( P. graveolens x P. radens ), introduced by two Frenchmen-Earnest Sen and J. Priors in Yercaud in the Sheraroy Hills ( Salem district ) in Tamilnadu. It is now grown in a limited areas around Bangalore, Yercaud and in the Nilgiri Hills. The major world supplies of the oil come from Malagasy Republic. The oil of geranium has a refreshingly delicate rose - like aroma containing 66-78 per cent of alcohols calculated as geraniol. As such also, it itself is a perfume; it blends well with a wide range of floral and oriental perfumes. It is used for scenting oinments, pharmaceutical abd tobacco products. It is suitable in a slightly alkaline medium and, therefore, it is widely used in the manufacture of high-grade soaps and cosmetic products. Our total annual production of the oil is around 12 tonnes and, therefore, a sizeable quantity of the oil is annually imported.

Two plant types of 'Rose Geranium' are recognized in India, Viz. the Algeriaan type from the slender plants, with dark pink flowers. It is less suitable for humid conditions; the other is Bourbin type which produces more leafy growth and bears light pink flowers. It is a perennial crop and about two to three harvests of leaves are taken annually in the second and third years. It can be grown as a catch crop in newly planted orchards.

'Rose Geranium' flourishes well in deep well-drained, preferably sandy loam to clayey-loam soils. It grows luxuriantly in a mild subtropical climate; locality receiving excessive heat in summer or very low temperatures in winter are unsuitable. The 'Rose Geranium' can withstand drought but its yield is reduced. It is raised in nursery during early spring from 8-15 cm long stem cutting each with 2 t0 4 nodes. Sandy beds are preferred for the nursery to avoid excessive moisture which damages the young sprouts. Under a favourable day temperature of 10 to 15 degree Centigrade, about 80 per cent cuttings sproute in 3 weeks and are ready for field planting at 50 x 100 cm spacing with the onset of the monsoon rains in May-June. The field are brought to a fine tilth, are mixed with 45 tonnes of farmyard manure per hectare. In the Nilgiris the crop is given a basal application of a fertilizer mixture, containing 35, 45 and 17 kg of N, P and K per hectare; therefore, another 35 kg of N may be applied in two split applications annually. Initially, the crop is given 1 to 2 hoeings and weedings and the rows close up. The pruning of branches after the rains helps to induce bushy growth. The crop is irrigated at intervals of 10 to 15 days during summer depending upon the soils texture and the atmospheric humidity. Too moist or continued dry conditions lowers the crop yield. Generally, the first crop is obtained 6 to 8 months after planting and the average oil yield s 8 kg; two or three crop are received in subsequent years, yielding 8 to 18 kg. of oil per hectare. In countries, e.g. Algeria and Malagasy Republic, the oil yields is reported to range from 30 to 35 kg. per hectare. The fresh leaves contain 0.12 to 0.2% ( w/w) volatile oil and semi-dry or even dry leaves can be distilled. The oil improves in odour on ageing.

Fusarium sp. serious damages the geranium crop; the diseases is favoured by continued misty weather and excess soils moisture. The removal of diseased parts arrests the spread of the diseases and the spraying of the crop with 5% Bordeaux mixture periodically is recommended to control the diseases. However, when the roots are attacked, the plant dies and such infected plants should be pulled out along with the adhering soils and burnet.

PATCHOULI ( Pogostemon cablin Benth ) Patchouli is a native of humid Indo-Malayan tropics. The plant is small bushy herb which yields fragrant leaves containing a very sweet smelling oil. It is grown in small pockets mainly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The oil of Patchouli is used to manufacture soap, cosmetics and incense and for imparting lasting oriental perfumery notes to many fancy products.

Two plants types of Patchouli are mainly recognized, viz. Jahore type which yields a poor leafy growth but produces a superior quality of oil; the other is Singapore type that gives more foliage and, therefore, more oil. It is a perennial crop, remaining in the field for about 3 years and gives 2 to 3 crops of leaves annually. It is a good catch crop for young orchards and can be raised as an intercrop in plantations where the over head shade is not heavy.

Patchouli requires deep, well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soils, rich in humus; its growth is luxuriant in regions experiencing mild summer ( 24-280C), and a good rainfall ranging from 150 to 300 cm. Its sursery is raised in shade by planting 10-12 cm-long cuttings at 10 x 10 cm spacing during the rainy season and the beds are kept continuously moist. Under favourable conditions, about 85-90 per cent cutting per forth roots in a fortnight and they are ready for planting in the field in six to eight weeks at 90 x 90 cm spacing. The crop requires a liberal amount of organic matter and fertilizers; usually 10-12 tonnes of farmyard manure with 100 kg of P per ha is incorporated into the soil at the planting time, followed by 80 to 100 kg of N per hectare to the crop annually as top dressing in two split appications. The first crop is ready for harvesting in the next 4 to 6 months as indicated by the browning of the lower leaves , and the herbage is cut 10-25 cm below the apex in the morning hours. Usually, one or two growing branches are left unplucked to ensure a better growth of the succeeding harvest. The harvested leaves are dried in thin layers in sgade for 3-4 days and they develip their characteristic odour. MAture stalks are removed before distillation. Ageing improves the odour and the dry HA-77 leaves are therefore stored for a few months before distillation. A good crop stand yields about 2 tonnes of dry leaves ( with 3 to 3.5% oil ) per annum, yielding about 50-60 kg of oil per hectare.

Golden nematode ( Meloidogyne incognito ) seriously damages this crop. No effective meaasure to control the nematode are known.

VETIVER OR KHUS( Vetiveria zizanioides ( Linn Nash ). Khus is a tall perennial grass found wild in the drier tracts of western India. Its spongy, much-branched fine root lets contain a fragrant oil, whcih is a perfume by itself. The dry aromatic roots are made into curtains, mats, fans, etc. to emit scented cool aroma when moistened . The oil is used as a vlauable fixative for blending perfumes and socmetics. A large bulk of the oil is produced by distilling the wild-growing plants found in Bharatpur ( Rajasthan ), Musanagar, Biswan and Nawabganj etc. in western Uttar Pradesh. The cultivation of khus is scattered over small areas in the Trichur, Palghat, Kozikode, Wynad and Trivandrum district of Kerala, in the Tirunelvelly, Madhrai and Coimbatore districts of Tamil Nadu and in the kurnool and East Godavari districts of Andhara Pradesh.

In southern states, khus is grown as a rainfed crop in well-drained sandy-loam soils in moderately humid localities which received 100-200 cm of rainfall annually. However, a luxuriant growth of healthier roots is obtained from plants growing under warm and damp conditions on rich, partially inundated, masrshy land ( Bharatpur ). The field are laid out into beds of convenient size and 15-20 cm-long rooted slips are planted. With the onset of the monsoon rains on both the sides of the ridges, made 45 cm apart. The planting of 2 to 3 slips is done in spring in pits when the crop is raised under irrigation. The crop is given 10-12 tonnes of farmyard manure or compost at planting, supplemented with ash and groundnutcake or ammonium sulphate, one month after planting to stimulate growth. 

Khus is a 12 to 18 month crop and the roots are dug out during dry months before autumn. The aerial parts are first cut at a height of 15 to 20 cm and are removed, the clumps are then dug out and beaten. The soil is further dug out up to a depth of one metre to remove the remaining rootlets. The roots are light to yellowish brown containing usually 0.6 to 0.8 per cent of dark brown viscous, persistently fragrant oil. The yield is 3 to 5 tonnes of fresh root, yielding about 20 kg of oil per hectare.

JASMINE. Among the perfume yielding jasmines, juhi ( Jasminum curiculatum Vahl ) and chameli ( J officinale Linn ) are commonly used for producing attars which sell at fancy prices. Jasmine ' concrete' and absolutes' are used to impart a gentle pleasing aroma to innumerable high-grade perparations. In the Western countries, Spanish ( alsocalled French ) jasmine ( J. officinale Linn var grandiflorum Bailey ) is largely cultivated; it has 7 to 11 leaflets and the flower bud has a dull creamy to punish spot on the posterior most petal. A high yelding clone of the Spanish jasmine has been recently developed at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. It blooms from March to December and is reported to yield about 12 tonnes of fresh flowers per hectare annually against 1.6 to 3 tonnes of flowers obtained from the Spanish jasmine in India. The crop remains in the field for 10 to 15 years.

The jasmines prefer well drained, rich sandy-loam to clayey-loam soils and remain in loom longer in a mild climate; the var. grandiflorum is more sensitive to fros. It is raised from 20 cm long stem cutting prepared from near mature wood and planted in deep pits at 1.5 x 1 m spacing during the rainy season. The growing plants are pruned during January February and July to induce lateral branching and flowering, and are given farmyard manure liberally. The plantation needs fortnightly irrigation during dry months. Picking is done during the early morning hours and the precentage recovery of the concrete ranges from 0.24 to 0.38 by using the solvent extraction method. Fresh flowers lose their fragrance soon, and it is essential that the solvent extraction apparatus as available at the site where the jasmine plantation is raised for perfumery aromatics.

KEWARA ( Pandanus odoratissimus Linn ) Kewara is a large indigenous shrub, 3 to 6 m tall, bearing white or creemy dioecious flowers including its enclosing spathe contains a fragrant oil. The kewara attar and kewara water are commonly used at ceremonial functions in perfuming aerated waters, other drinks and confectionery products. Most of the cultivation is confined to the Ganjam district ( 400 ha ) in Orissa where it is drains and ponds. The plant thrives in clayey loam soil in the tropical climate, usually receiving heavy rainfall.

Kewara is propagated from shoots, branches and leaves which readily from roots during the rainy season. It bears flowers in the fourth or fifth year and has an economic life of 20 years. The crops needs no special care, except periodic pruning. The flowers are borne from June to September. A plant may produce 15 to 40 flowers in a season. A flower takes 15 days to mature and grows grammes. The blossom contains 0.1 to 0.3 per cent oil. The attar is mosly produced over sandalwood oil or paraffin base. 

DAVANA ( Artemisia pallens Wall ) It is a small ( 50 cm tall ) annual indigenous herb with divided pluish green fragrant leaves. The oil of the herb is prized in perfumery for its sweet, persistent fruity fragrance. It is cultivated on a limited scale in karnataka for making bouquets and producing oil. It is a 4 month rabi crop raised in fertile well drained red loamy soils under equable climate receiving mild winter rains and with clear sunny weather ar maturity. Seeds are small ( about 6000 g ) and are kept in a moist piece of cloth for 1-2 lays for germination. The sprouted seed are thinly broadcast in the nursery in early November abd the seedlings establish themselves in 7-10 days. Five week old seedlings are planted in the field. The crop is given mainly their usual height in 10 weeeks afterplanting. The crop is harvested on bright sunny days and the harvested herb is air dried. The air dried herb is chopped into 3 to 4 pieces and distilled at prssure of 2 kg per sq. cm for 8 to 12 hours. The yield of fresh herbage is about 30 tonnes per ha. The harbage loses about four fifths of its moisture on drying; the averageoil content of the dry herb is 0.2 per cent. Thus 10 to 12 kg of brownish viscous oil is attained from one hectare. Its quantity improves with age.

HENNA or MEHANDI ( Lawsonia inermis Linn ) It is a persnnial hedge plant, native to North Africa. It is cultivated in the Pali, Sojat abd Nagor districts of Rajasthan and the adjoining districts of Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana. The crop is grown in sandy loam to loamy soils in the hot and dry climate on marginal land. Two varities are known, viz. Hinna ( odorous ) and Rajni ( more colouring ). A part of the produce is exported.

Mehndi is raised through seeds as well as through cuttings; the former method is preferred. The seeds have a hard coat and are kept under a moist piece of cloth for 8-15 days till they sprout ( the average germination being 20 per cent). The sprouted seeds are mixed with fine sand and sown broadcast in a well prepared nursery during March. The seedbeds are kept moist and free from weeeds. The seedlings grow 20-30 cm tall in the next 3 months and are transplanted in wet field during the monsoon season at 15 x 30 cm or 30 x 30 cm spacing. The land is given 40 tonnes of farmyard manure and 40 kg of N per ha at planting and a similar quantity thereafter in 2 split doses annually to boost vegetative growth.

The field are bunded during the rainy season to conserve moisture. Usually the plants in third year begin to yield the leaf crop which continues to start economic yields for the nest 25 years or so. Normally, 2 harvests are taken branches are cut near the ground level and dried, preferable in shade. The dry branches are beaten on yield under rain fed conditions is 1 tonne per ha; higher yields up t 2.5 tonnes per ha are obtained when raised as an irrigated crop. Termites, ants and mites damage the crop; the dusting of the crop with BHC ( 10%) is recommended as a preventive measure.

SWEET FLAG OR BACH ( Acorus calamus L ) It is a perennial indigenous undershrub which inhabits stagnant pools and shallow creaks all over the country. Its long aromatic rhizomes contain an aromatic oil ( Ascerone 82% ) used for lending oriental notes in perfumery; the oil has germicidal properties and is used in insecticidal formulations. It is a 10 month crop cultivated in clayey to clayey loam soils on about 500 ha confined to the koratgere Taluk of the Tumkar district in Karnataka. Field are puddled with 40 tonnes if farmyard manure or with sullage and bunded like rice field for impounding water. The growing tops of the plants obtained from the previous crop are usually planted in March - April in soft mud at 30 x 30 cm spacing and the field are flooded with 5 cm deep water. As the crop grows, the depth of water in the field is raised to 10 cm till about a month before harvest. The crop is given weeding almost every month for the first 4 to 5 months when the plants close the rows and produce a thick cover. Fertilizers are seldomused; some farmers apply 40 kg of N in 2 splits 30 and 60 days after planting. The leaf tips begin to turn yellow as the crop matures. The rhizomes are then dug out. The rhizomes lie mostly near the surface and grow 30 to 50 cm long. They are washed, cut into 6 to 10 cm long pieces and rubbed with hessain to remove the leafy scales and fibrous roots before drying them in the sun. The crop yield ranges from 2.5 to 4 tonnes of dry rhizomes per ha. The produce can be stored for a long period.

LINALOE ( Bursera delpechianum Boiss ex. Engl ) It is a small Mexican tree whose wood ( 7-9%) and berries (3%) yield a sweet smelling essential oil on steam distillation. The characteristic odour of the oil due to the presence of 35-44 percent of easter ( linalyll acetate) and 32-48 per cent of free alcohols ( linalool ) resembling the odour of lavender. The oil is used in the manufacture of high quality soaps and cosmetic products.

Linaloe is a dioecious plant which grows about 6 meters tall abd 1 meter in girth at 20 years of age. It sheds its leaves at the commencement of winter and gives out new leaves and flowers in April. The berries ripen in Aughst September and are collected before dehiscence. In its natural habitat, the plant grows in tropical serub forests on dry eroded land and is sensitive to frost and water logging. Its growth is better on fertile forest land. Spring rains benefit the crop. Cutting, about 0.5 m in length and 1 cm in diameter, are made from the female mother plants during February March and planted in pots, baskets or polythene bags in a nursery in shade. It sprouts in 3-4 weeks and, as such, is planted in pits during the rainy season.

About 300 plants are planted per ha. and they need irrigation in the succeeding summer season. The plants bear flowering twigs at 3 or 4 years of age. The flowering twigs are clipped. In the sixth year, the plants develops a crown spread of about 2m and commences giving the commercial crop. ipe beries are collected during automn and dried in shade. The dry fruits split in two, exposing the kernels. The essential oil is confined to the husk of the fruit. The dry berries can be stored for long and distilled at convenience. They yield 2.5 to 3 per cent oil on fresh weight basis. The yield of oil is around 20 kg/ha from the sixth year onards for a growing life span of about 50 years.

LEMON GUM ( Eucalyptus citriodora Hook ) It is an Australian tree,  about 25 m tall, with a clean silvery  green  trunk   and    strongly-scented narrow leaves. The plant is coppiced at a height of 90 cm to get a larger yield of foliage which contains an aromatic oil. On an average, the foliage has up to 0.8% of oil, containing 60-80 per cent of citronellal that imparts to it the lemon like odour. Commercial plantations exist in the Nilgiri Hills. A plantation is raised on well drained gravelly soils both in tropical plains and in the sub-temperate hills up to about 2000 meters above sea level. Seeds may be sown during early spring either in polythene bags in the nursery or direct in the field. About 10-20 cm tall seedlings are translanted in the field ( without exposin their roots ) during the rainy season at 45 x 30 cm spacing. The land is usually given 50 kg each of P and K per hectare at planting, supplemented with about 100 kg of N per hectare in 2 to 4 split doses anually as top dressing. The terminal branches are cut to induce the plants to produce more lateral branches. During harvesting, the plants are cropped in April and November and a small harvest is also gathered during the rainy season. Fresh leaves and tender branches are distilled. The average yield from the third year onwards is about 20 tonnes per hectare per annum. This field, in turn, gives about 100 kg. of oil. The price of oil depends upon the content of citronellal in the oil. The Tamil Nadu Cinchona Department has located trees whose foliage is found to possess 85-90 per cent of citronellal and this oil fetches better price.