Abstract:
A greenhouse pot experiment with thirteen treatments of fertilizers was
conducted to examine the effects of phosphorus and magnesium on the growth
of Cymbopogon nardus (L) Rendle (Ceylon citronella) and the yield of its
essential oil. Phosphorus nutrition enhanced the tiller production, dry matter
accumulation and the yield of essential oil. Magnesium in combination
with phosphorus increased the yields of dry matter and the essential oil. Magnesium
facilitated the uptake of phosphorus. High correlations were observed
between leaf phosphorus content and the essential oil yield (r = +0.7) and
the number of tillers per slip (r = +0.66). The essential oil yield correlated
with the number of tillers (r = + 0.9 I) and the dry matter yield (r = + 0.89).
