Types and varieties

Types and varieties

    The grass growing wild in North India and that cultivated in South India are two different types. Thus there are two main types namely, flowering or seeding and non-flowering or non-seeding. The one that grows in North India is mainly the flowering type, while that which is cultivated in south India is the non-flowering type.

    The North Indian type is poor in oil yield, but its oil quality is superior, whereas the south Indian type yields more oil, but the quality is inferior.

    The CIMAP has developed two superior clones, KS-1 and KS-2 from a collection from Bharatpur. These have a yield which is almost comparable to the existing high yielding material. However the quality of oil from both the clones was rated the best among the clones evaluated.

    An improved tetraploid strain “Sugandha” has also been released by the CIMAP and is reported to be superior in terms of oil-yield over the corresponding diploid parent. This is attained by an enhancement in the root biomass and an increase in the percentage of oil content in the roots. The new strain can yield 1.4% oil content in fresh roots and 21.2q/ha of roots, against 1.15% oil and 18.5q/ha of roots in the control.

    Pusa hybrid numbers (1-30) have been evolved by NBPGR, New Delhi. Of these F1 hybrids Hyb-26 gives higher yield of roots (14.5q/ha) with an oil content of 1.50%. Whereas hybrids 26, 7 and 16 perform better in saline and alkaline soils with high root and oil yield. Under Bangalore conditions, hybrid -8 has been found to be better. Its roots yield 1% essential oil and possess 70-85% vetiverol content. The yield of root ranged from 12-15q/ha when harvested at 15 months age. A vetiver clone ODV-3 developed at Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station, Odakkali is reported to give god root and oil yield in Kerala. The CIMAP, Lucknow has released few new varieties based on the oil odour value. They are Kesari, Gulabi and Dharini.

Last modified: Tuesday, 3 April 2012, 11:08 AM