Patchouli Agrotechnology

1.0 Product and its applications

Patchouli ( Pogostemon cablin ) is an aromatic bushy herb of the mint family. The crop is mainly cultivated for its oil used in the manufacture of perfumes, cosmetics, medicines, beverages and in bakery. The word derives from the Tamil ‘P atchai ' (green leaf). Pogostemon cablin , P. commosum , P. hortensis , P. heyneasus and P. plectranthoides are all cultivated for their oil and all are known as 'patchouli' oil, but P. cablin is considered superior.

Uses: P atchouli essential oil is one of the best fixatives for heavy perfumes which impart strength, character, alluring notes and lasting qualities. It is a perfume by itself and is highly valued in perfumes, soaps, cosmetics and flavour industries

Patchouli is also an important ingredient in East Asian incense . It is also used as a scent in products like paper towels, laundry detergents , and air fresheners. Two important components of the essential oil are patchoulol and norpatchoulenol .

In several countries, such as Japan and Malaysia , patchouli is also used as an antidote for venomous snakebites . The plant and oil have a number of claimed health benefits in herbal folklore, and its scent is used with the aim of inducing relaxation. Chinese medicine uses the herb to treat headaches, colds, nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Western pharmacies and alternative therapy sources it as aroma therapy oil. It has also been used as a hair conditioner for dreadlocks .

Market Potential:

Patchouli oil is an essential ingredient and used as a ‘base' material in perfumery industry. There is no synthetic substitute for patchouli oil, which increases its value and demand in the perfumery market. Consumption of Patchouli oil in the world is estimated at 2000 t per annum. In India due to increase in chewing tobacco and pan masala industries, consumption has gone up to about 300 tonnes per annum while the production is below 50t. Hence, the country mostly depends on imports mainly from Indonesia . India has considerable scope to enter the world market. 

3.0 Basis and Presumption

a) The agricultural land and related infrastructure including irrigation source is available with the entrepreneur.

b) Prices are calculated as per the prevailing market rates.

c) The yields depend on proper implementation of package of practices.

d) Economics of cultivation greatly improves on scale of operation.

e) This activity provides tax free high returns. Additionally a number of government support schemes are  available. Latest provisions need to be checked up.

f) Market for aromatic plants is volatile and economics may vary from time to time.

Agri practices  

An improved variety ‘Samarth' has been developed by CIMAP. Another superior variety of patchouli ‘Johore' has made a small, quiet, fragrant movement in Siddapur, Western Ghat region of northern Karnataka, turning it into a bio-village.

4.1 Soil & climate

Patchouli thrives well under humid conditions. Coastal areas of Maharashtra, Goa , Karnataka & Kerala are suitable for this crop. It is possible to cultivate patchouli commercially in various other locations having congenial climate. Most soils with good drainage are suitable.  Water logged areas are susceptible to nematode attack.  Generally humid climate with plenty of sunlight is desirable.  The plant also grows well as an inter crop in partial shade, but complete shade should be avoided. For good growth of the plant, temperature between 25 0 C to 35 0 C is ideal.  Once planted, the plants give good yield of leaves up to at least 3 years.

4.2 Land Preparation

Land is required for nursery, cultivation and drying the harvested biomass. After clearing the land, two times ploughing is recommended.  About 1 kg of carbofuran, 5-10 tonnes of farmyard manure and 0.5 tonnes of neem cake are applied to the main field and ploughed well. Anti nematode material like neem cake is added at the root zone and mixed well with the soil to avoid nematode attack. Raised beds of 75 x 45 cm are prepared.

4.3 Propagation

Patchouli can be cultivated as pure crop and intercrop by following two methods.

• Standard practice using conventional method of flood irrigation.
• Drip irrigation method using fertigation for providing nutrients.

It is usually propagated by rooted cuttings grown in a nursery. Cuttings are taken from healthy plants. Terminal stem cuttings of 10-12 cm length with 3-4 nodes are generally preferred. All the leaves except 3-4 are removed. The basal end of the cuttings is dipped in a rooting hormone and then planted in the nursery beds. The rooted cuttings are planted on the raised beds with a spacing of 50 x 50 cm in straight lines. A nursery area of about 200 sq m. is sufficient for raising plants required for one hectare. The nursery is generally raised during the monsoon. Transplanting the cuttings can be done all through the year except during peak summer, winter and during heavy rains. Nearly 40,000 cuttings are required for planting in one hectare. The cuttings take 30-35 days for rooting and can then be transplanted to the main field. Irrigation is done immediately after planting the cuttings.

About 100 kg dominium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP) is applied to the main field and ploughed well. Nearly 150 kg urea is applied in 2 split doses. First dose is applied immediately after planting the cuttings and the second dose one month after the first application. A mixture of 1 kg carbofuran and 1 t pongamia admixed with the before planting is effective in the control of root knot, root rot and wilt infestations.

The crop should be kept weed-free and weeding should be when required. Spraying with 0.5 per cent dimethoate or malathion at fortnightly intervals is effective in the control of leaf eating caterpillars, leaf webber and leaf roller pests. Once planted, the plants give good yield of leaves for 3 years.

4.4 Fertilizer

Fertilizer application depends on the soil fertility. Patchouli crop requires high doses of urea and potassium. At the time of land preparation, around 30 t of FYM/ ha is to be applied. Thereafter, the fertiliser schedule decided based on soil fertility status. 

4.5 Irrigation

Irrigation is done for 3-4 days for the first 15-20 days after planting in the field and later done at 8-15 days interval. Water logging should be avoided.

As indicated earlier, patchouli can be cultivated in two ways depending on the method of irrigation followed. Under conventional method, irrigation is to be provided at least twice a week. Water logging must be avoided. Number of irrigation per year will be around 60 (no watering during monsoon) with each irrigation lasting for 3 hours with 5 HP motor. Under drip system of irrigation, irrigation is provided by a drip with nozzles at a distance of 45 cm from each other, which discharge water at a rate of 2 L water/hour.  Irrigation for 30 minutes per day is adequate.  In hot and dry season it should be up to a maximum of 60 minutes in two instalments.

Not much maintenance is required for Patchouli. Regular weeding, nutrient application and harvesting are the major activities involved in its cultivation.

4.8 Harvesting

The crop can be harvested 6 months after planting. The right time for harvesting is when the plants are about 1m high, leaves turn pale green or slightly brown in colour. Subsequent harvests can be done every three months. Once planted, it can be maintained for 3 years.

The plant is harvested at 6-8 nodes from the apex. It should be harvested with a sharp cutting tool.  The new shoots come from the nodes and if the cutting is done at too low level, the next harvest will be affected.  In rainy season, fungicides should be sprayed after harvesting.  Harvesting is preferably done during drier months.  

5.0 Post harvest operations

After harvesting, the biomass is dried under shade for 4 to 5 days.  Drying shed with thatched roof and mud floor is constructed with a drying area of 100 sq.m.

Essential oil is e xtracted by steam distillation , requiring the cell walls of the leaves to be ruptured. This can be achieved by steam scalding, light fermentation, or by drying.

6.0 Yield

The yield under drip irrigation is nearly 2 times that of conventional method. Under conventional irrigation the average yield is 25 t (3 cuttings) per ha p.a. while it is 50 t (3 cuttings) per ha under drip irrigation. As an intercrop, 5 t dry biomass per ha per year can be expected.

7.0 Economics of cultivation of Patchouli per hectare land (Rs.)

8.0 Addresses of Some Dealers in Medicinal plants/ Planting Material

1.Kelkar Scientific Research Centre,
Devkaran Mansion ,
36, Mangaldas Road ,
Mumbai - 400 002

2. M/s. Keva Biotech Ltd.,
Keva Biotech Ltd.Lal Bhadur Shastri Marg,
Mulund (West) Mumbai (subsidiary of S H Kelkar & Co. Ltd)

3. Tropical Forest Research Institute
Mandla Road , Jabalpur (M.P.)

4. Cedmap,
60, Jail Road , Jahangirabad,
Bhopal (M.P.)

5. KRD Musli Farm,10/47, Station Road , Rau,
Indore-453331 (M.P.)

5.Mittal Musli Farm and Research Centre, Jamod,
Jalgaon ( Maharashtra )

6. Regional Research Laboratory
Jorhat, ( Assam )

7. Jeevan Herbs & Agro Farms
178, Keshav Ganj,Sagar (M.P.)

8. SSS Biotic.com
C/o Biosourcing.com (P)Ltd.
A-41, Janpath, Ashoknagar
Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

9. Kasiraj Exports,
37, Santhai Road ,
Tuticorin (TN)

Contact for more information:

Information Manager
TIMEIS Project
E-mail: timeis@ficci.com