Agrotechnology for Lavendula angustifolia Mill subsp. Angustifolia (Syn. L. officinalis Chaix)

The flowering tops of lavender plant yield 1.2-1.5% valuable essential oil, mainly composed of linalool and linayl acetate. The oil is used in high grade perfumery. Lower quality oil goes for preparation of lavender water, toilet water and soaps

Kashmir Valley, Chamba (HP)

Well aerated dry and calcareous soil rich in nutrients, pH 7.0-8.4; cold winter and cool summer; rainfall 550-700 mm in the form of rain or snow. It can also be grown on gentile and steep slopes, poor eroded soils.

Through seeds during Nov./Dec. also propagated through rooted cuttings. Seeds germinate in April at 14-150C. Cuttings of 10 cm length are taken from 1 yr old plants and firmly planted. Beds are covered with black polythene to protect from cold weather

A basal dose of 20 kg N and 40 kg P/ha is applied before planting; subsequently 2-3 split doses of 40 kg N are needed. The field requires regular weeding and hoeing. Old lavender plantations are regenerated during winters. Harvesting of flowers is done in dry sunny days during August/September. Oil is extracted by steam distillation

 40-50kg oil/ha.

Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology,Post Box No. 6 Palampur (H.P.) 176061 INDIA Tel: +91-1894-230742-43 Fax: +91-1894-230433
E-mail: director@ihbt.res.in