Survey and performance of Cymbopogon species of Indian thar desert

Cymbopogon species is widely distributed in the uncongenial arid environment of Indian Thar desert of Western Rajasthan. The available Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Schult from Bikaner site exhibited 1.26% essential oil content, corresponding to 55% piperitone as the major chemical constituent. Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Schult. sub species olivieri (Boiss.) Soenakro has been reported mainly from Osian and Luhawat villages of Jodhpur district but during the survey, this aromatic grass was found at Chandan village of Jaisalmer district also. It contained essential oil content of 0.4%, having 62% citral, 8.12% geraniol and 13% of geranyl acetate as the major chemical constituents. Estimation of some morphological characters alongwith the variation in essential dil contents and their major chemical constitutents have been discussed.