‘Jal Pallavi’, water logging tolerant Cymbopogon winterianus

Abstract

The present invention is related to the development of a new and distinct vegetatively propagated water tolerant plant of Cymbopogon winterianus by selection of a somatic variant from high yielding line Jorlab-2, the selected plant withstands prolonged water stagnation with no reduction in yield of essential oil.

We claim:  
     
       1. A novel, distinct, high yielding and stable variety of citronella plant  Cymbopogon winterianus,  named ‘Jal Pallavi’ characterized by the combination of characteristics: 
       (a) highly adapted to both favorable as well as unfavorable environments of continuous and aberrant water stagnation situations,  
       (b) production of more biomass (herbage yield) in comparison to the existing citronella varieties,  
       (c) production of essential oil with pleasant smell conforming to the standard concentrations for the major oil components citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol much useful in pharmaceutical/aromatic preparations for various applications,  
       (d) unique RAPD profile, compared to those of the existing citronella varieties,  
       (e) exhibiting least reduction in yield (herbage as well as essential oil) over years and thus constitutes the most suitable material for perennial plantations,  
       (f) substantially high oil yield, at least 1.22%, with the following oil constituents to a maximum extent of citronellal at least 40.7%, citronellol at least 10.7%, geraniol at least 17.5% and the rest being unidentified fractions in the essential oil, all totaling to 100% at different stages of growth, substantially as shown and described.