Effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on yield and essential oil composition of Java citronella (<em>Cymbopogon winterianus</em>)

Tong V. Giang; Tran T. Huyen

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2026070

Keywords:

Java citronella

Cymbopogon winterianus

essential oil

organic manures

inorganic fertilizers

Abstract

Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) is an important aromatic crop widely cultivated for its essential oil, which is highly valued in the perfumery, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Optimizing fertilization strategies is crucial for enhancing both the yield and quality of essential oil production. This study evaluates the effects of organic manures, inorganic fertilizers, and their combinations on the essential oil yield and composition of Java citronella. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with six treatments and three replications. Fresh aerial biomass of Java citronella was chopped and subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus to extract the essential oil. The chemical composition of the essential oils was analyzed using gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results indicate that integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers significantly improves essential oil yield. The highest yield (1.75%) was obtained from the treatment combining chemical fertilizers with cow manure (T4), followed by the combination with chicken manure (T5) at 1.58%. In contrast, individual applications of organic (T2, T3) or inorganic (T1) fertilizers resulted in moderate improvements, while the control treatment (T0) recorded the lowest yield (0.96%). Fertilization also influenced the essential oil composition, with the highest citronellal content (41.86%) observed in T4, followed by T5 (38.15%). Additionally, geraniol and citronellol concentrations increased with fertilization, highlighting the role of nutrient availability in essential oil biosynthesis. These findings suggest that an integrated fertilization approach is the most effective strategy for maximizing Java citronella essential oil production. Future studies should focus on long-term soil health, sustainability, and economic feasibility to establish best practices for large-scale cultivation.
References
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5. Bistgani, Z. E., Siadat, S. A., Bakhshandeh, A., Pirbalouti, A. G., Hashemi, M., Maggi, F., & Morshedloo, M. R. (2018). Application of combined fertilizers improves biomass, essential oil yield, aroma profile, and antioxidant properties of Thymus daenensis Celak. Industrial Crops and Products, 121, 434-440.
6. Burducea, M., Zheljazkov, V. D., Dincheva, I., Lobiuc, A., Teliban, G. C., Stoleru, V., & Zamfirache, M. M. (2018). Fertilization modifies the essential oil and physiology of basil varieties. Industrial Crops and Products, 121, 282-293.
7. Chen, W., & Viljoen, A. M. (2022). Geraniol–a review update. South African Journal of Botany, 150, 1205-1219.
8. Dangol, S., Poudel, D. K., Ojha, P. K., Maharjan, S., Poudel, A., Satyal, R., Rokaya, A., Timsina, S., Dosoky, N. S., Satyal, P., & Setzer, W. N. (2023). Essential oil composition analysis of Cymbopogon species from Eastern Nepal by GC-MS and chiral GC-MS, and antimicrobial activity of some major compounds. Molecules, 28(2), 543.
9. Figueiredo, A. C., Barroso, J. G., Pedro, L. G., & Scheffer, J. J. (2008). Factors affecting secondary metabolite production in plants: volatile components and essential oils. Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 23(4), 213-226.
10. Giang, T. V., Huyen, T. T., Hai, N. H. (2024). Application of combined fertilizers to improve growth, yield and essential oil composition of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Proceedings on Applied Botany, Genetics and Breeding, 185(2), 50-59.
11. Hu, H. L., Zhou, D., Wang, J. W., Wu, C., Li, H. J., Zhong, J., Xiang, Z., & Sun, C. (2022). Chemical composition of citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) leaves essential oil and gastric toxicity of its major components to drosophila melanogaster larvae. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 25(2), 315-325.
12. Keshavarz, H., Modarres-Sanavy, S. A. M., & Mahdipour Afra, M. (2018). Organic and chemical fertilizer affected yield and essential oil of two mint species. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 21(6), 1674-1681.
13. Lei, Y., Fu, P., Jun, X., & Cheng, P. (2019). Pharmacological properties of geraniol–a review. Planta medica, 85(01), 48-55.
14. Lira, M. H. P. D., Andrade Júnior, F. P. D., Moraes, G. F. Q., Macena, G. D. S., Pereira, F. D. O., & Lima, I. O. (2020). Antimicrobial activity of geraniol: An integrative review. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 32(3), 187-197.
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17. Rammal, M., Badran, A., Haidar, C., Sabbah, A., Bechelany, M., Awada, M., Hassan, K. H., El-Dakdouki, M., & Raad, M. T. (2024). Cymbopogon winterianus (Java citronella plant): a multi-faceted approach for food preservation, insecticidal effects, and bread application. Foods, 13(5), 803.
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19. Santos, P. L., Matos, J. P. S., Picot, L., Almeida, J. R., Quintans, J. S., & Quintans-Junior, L. J. (2019). Citronellol, a monoterpene alcohol with promising pharmacological activities-A systematic review. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 123, 459-469.
20. Simic, A., Rančic, A., Sokovic, M. D., Ristic, M., Grujic-Jovanovic, S., Vukojevic, J., & Marin, P. D. (2008). Essential oil composition of Cymbopogon winterianus. and Carum carvi. and their antimicrobial activities. Pharmaceutical Biology, 46(6), 437-441.
21. Singh, R., Singh, M., Srinivas, A., Rao, E. P., & Puttanna, K. (2015). Assessment of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers for Growth, Yield and Essential Oil Quality of Industrially Important Plant Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)(Blanco) Benth. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 18(1), 1-10.
22. Turek, C., & Stintzing, F. C. (2013). Stability of essential oils: a review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 12(1), 40-53.
23. Venancio, A. N., Silva, M. J., Parreira, L. A., Júlio, A. A., Souza, G. R., Conceição Santos, M. F., & Menini, L. (2025). Citronellal: a natural aldehyde with important properties. Natural Product Research, 39(5), 1199-1212.
24. Wany, A., Jha, S., Nigam, V. K., & Pandey, D. M. (2013). Chemical analysis and therapeutic uses of citronella oil from Cymbopogon winterianus: A short review. International Journal of Advanced Research, 1(6), 504-521.
25. Wany, A., Kumar, A., Nallapeta, S., Jha, S., Nigam, V. K., & Pandey, D. M. (2014). Extraction and characterization of essential oil components based on geraniol and citronellol from Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt). Plant Growth Regulation, 73, 133-145.
26. Yang, L., Li, J., Xiao, Y., & Zhou, G. (2022). Application of combined fertilizers improves biomass, essential oil yield, chemical compositions, and ferulic acid content of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 54(2), 569-575.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Giang, T. V., & Huyen, T. T. (2025). Effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on yield and essential oil composition of Java citronella (<em>Cymbopogon winterianus</em>). Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 8(1), 2026070. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2026070

[1] Adams R. P. (2007). Identification of essential oil components by gas chromatography/quadrupole mass spectrometry. 4th ed. Carol Stream, IL: Allured Publishing Corporation.

[2] Anwar, M., Patra, D. D., Chand, S., Alpesh, K., Naqvi, A. A., & Khanuja, S. P. S. (2005). Effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer on growth, herb and oil yield, nutrient accumulation, and oil quality of French basil. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 36(13-14), 1737-1746.

[3] Barra, A. (2009). Factors affecting chemical variability of essential oils: A review of recent developments. Natural Product Communications, 4(8), 1934578X0900400827.

[4] Ben Ammar, R. (2023). Potential effects of geraniol on cancer and inflammation-related diseases: A review of the recent research findings. Molecules, 28(9), 3669.

[5] Bistgani, Z. E., Siadat, S. A., Bakhshandeh, A., Pirbalouti, A. G., Hashemi, M., Maggi, F., & Morshedloo, M. R. (2018). Application of combined fertilizers improves biomass, essential oil yield, aroma profile, and antioxidant properties of Thymus daenensis Celak. Industrial Crops and Products, 121, 434-440.

[6] Burducea, M., Zheljazkov, V. D., Dincheva, I., Lobiuc, A., Teliban, G. C., Stoleru, V., & Zamfirache, M. M. (2018). Fertilization modifies the essential oil and physiology of basil varieties. Industrial Crops and Products, 121, 282-293.

[7] Chen, W., & Viljoen, A. M. (2022). Geraniol–a review update. South African Journal of Botany, 150, 1205-1219.

[8] Dangol, S., Poudel, D. K., Ojha, P. K., Maharjan, S., Poudel, A., Satyal, R., Rokaya, A., Timsina, S., Dosoky, N. S., Satyal, P., & Setzer, W. N. (2023). Essential oil composition analysis of Cymbopogon species from Eastern Nepal by GC-MS and chiral GC-MS, and antimicrobial activity of some major compounds. Molecules, 28(2), 543.

[9] Figueiredo, A. C., Barroso, J. G., Pedro, L. G., & Scheffer, J. J. (2008). Factors affecting secondary metabolite production in plants: volatile components and essential oils. Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 23(4), 213-226.

[10] Giang, T. V., Huyen, T. T., Hai, N. H. (2024). Application of combined fertilizers to improve growth, yield and essential oil composition of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Proceedings on Applied Botany, Genetics and Breeding, 185(2), 50-59.

[11] Hu, H. L., Zhou, D., Wang, J. W., Wu, C., Li, H. J., Zhong, J., Xiang, Z., & Sun, C. (2022). Chemical composition of citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) leaves essential oil and gastric toxicity of its major components to drosophila melanogaster larvae. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 25(2), 315-325.

[12] Keshavarz, H., Modarres-Sanavy, S. A. M., & Mahdipour Afra, M. (2018). Organic and chemical fertilizer affected yield and essential oil of two mint species. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 21(6), 1674-1681.

[13] Lei, Y., Fu, P., Jun, X., & Cheng, P. (2019). Pharmacological properties of geraniol–a review. Planta medica, 85(01), 48-55.

[14] Lira, M. H. P. D., Andrade Júnior, F. P. D., Moraes, G. F. Q., Macena, G. D. S., Pereira, F. D. O., & Lima, I. O. (2020). Antimicrobial activity of geraniol: An integrative review. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 32(3), 187-197.

[15] NIST. (2018). Mass Spectral Library (NIST/EPA/NIH). Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology.

[16] Ostadi, A., Javanmard, A., Machiani, M. A., Morshedloo, M. R., Nouraein, M., Rasouli, F., & Maggi, F. (2020). Effect of different fertilizer sources and harvesting time on the growth characteristics, nutrient uptakes, essential oil productivity and composition of Mentha x piperita L. Industrial Crops and Products, 148, 112290.

[17] Rammal, M., Badran, A., Haidar, C., Sabbah, A., Bechelany, M., Awada, M., Hassan, K. H., El-Dakdouki, M., & Raad, M. T. (2024). Cymbopogon winterianus (Java citronella plant): a multi-faceted approach for food preservation, insecticidal effects, and bread application. Foods, 13(5), 803.

[18] Rokonuzzman, M., Bhuia, M. S., Al‐Qaaneh, A. M., El‐Nashar, H. A., Islam, T., Chowdhury, R., Shanto, H. H., Al Hasan, M. S., El-Shazly, M., & Torequl Islam, M. (2025). Biomedical Perspectives of Citronellal: Biological Activities, Toxicological Profile and Molecular Mechanisms. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 22(1), e202401973.

[19] Santos, P. L., Matos, J. P. S., Picot, L., Almeida, J. R., Quintans, J. S., & Quintans-Junior, L. J. (2019). Citronellol, a monoterpene alcohol with promising pharmacological activities-A systematic review. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 123, 459-469.

[20] Simic, A., Rančic, A., Sokovic, M. D., Ristic, M., Grujic-Jovanovic, S., Vukojevic, J., & Marin, P. D. (2008). Essential oil composition of Cymbopogon winterianus. and Carum carvi. and their antimicrobial activities. Pharmaceutical Biology, 46(6), 437-441.

[21] Singh, R., Singh, M., Srinivas, A., Rao, E. P., & Puttanna, K. (2015). Assessment of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers for Growth, Yield and Essential Oil Quality of Industrially Important Plant Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)(Blanco) Benth. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 18(1), 1-10.

[22] Turek, C., & Stintzing, F. C. (2013). Stability of essential oils: a review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 12(1), 40-53.

[23] Venancio, A. N., Silva, M. J., Parreira, L. A., Júlio, A. A., Souza, G. R., Conceição Santos, M. F., & Menini, L. (2025). Citronellal: a natural aldehyde with important properties. Natural Product Research, 39(5), 1199-1212.

[24] Wany, A., Jha, S., Nigam, V. K., & Pandey, D. M. (2013). Chemical analysis and therapeutic uses of citronella oil from Cymbopogon winterianus: A short review. International Journal of Advanced Research, 1(6), 504-521.

[25] Wany, A., Kumar, A., Nallapeta, S., Jha, S., Nigam, V. K., & Pandey, D. M. (2014). Extraction and characterization of essential oil components based on geraniol and citronellol from Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt). Plant Growth Regulation, 73, 133-145.

[26] Yang, L., Li, J., Xiao, Y., & Zhou, G. (2022). Application of combined fertilizers improves biomass, essential oil yield, chemical compositions, and ferulic acid content of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 54(2), 569-575.

Multidisciplinary Science Journal

Research Article | Vol. 8 Issue 1 (2026), e2026070 | Published in 05 July 2025

Effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on yield and essential oil composition of Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus)

Abstract

References

How to cite