Effect of lime amendment of chromite overburden soil on growth and oil yield of Cymbopogon martinii wats

An experiment was undertaken with Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii Wats var. Motia) in chromite overburden amended with lime and fertilizer in a factorial complete randomized block design during 1987–88 and 1988–89. Observation on plant height, tiller number, chlorophyll content, herb yield, oil content and oil yield were recorded and statistically analysed for three consecutive harvests for two years. Correlation studies were drawn for oil yield with the growth parameters. This experiment suggested that fertilizer @ 100:50:50 kg:N:P₂O₅ and K₂O per hectare (2.5g N, 1.25g P, 1.25g K per pot) found to be economical and liming is essential for nullifying the adverse effect of heavy metals.