Phytoremediation, eco-restoration, and adaptive response of lemongrass (C. flexuosus Wats) grown on fly ash and vermicompost improved quality essential oil yield

• Published in: Biochemical systematics and ecology 2022-10, Vol.104, p.104457, Article 104457
• Main Authors: Kumar, A., Jnanesha, A.C., Verma, R.K., Kumar, D., Lal, R.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aromatic grass; Citral content; Fly ash; Phytoremediation; Vermicompost
• ISSN: 0305-1978; 1873-2925
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bse.2022.104457

This study aimed to see how fly ash (FA) and vermicompost (VC) proportions affected lemongrass growth characteristics, essential oil yield, and quality. The application of 10% Fly ash with 90% vermicompost produced considerably greater biomass yield (69.7t/ha) and essential oil yield (429.3 kg/ha) than the rest of the cultivar, followed by 20% FA + 80% VC (68.5 t/ha and 401.2 kg/ha), respectively and 100% VC (68.3 t/ha and 371.0 kg/ha), respectively. Citral content, a combination of isomeric aldehydes such as neral and geranial, was used to determine lemongrass oil's quality. Geranial and neral concentrations of more than 75% are considered high-grade essential oils. Geranial and neral were our research's most important essential oil components. All treatments except zero fertilizer, i.e., control, had higher geranial and neral content (%). However, the concentration of geranial and geranyl acetate in lemongrass is unaffected by treatment among these many treatments. 10% FA + 90% VC had greater gross return, the net return, and B: C ratios than the remainder of the treatment, followed by 20% FA + 80% VC and 100% VC). In the meantime, there was no discernible variation in bulk density (mg m−3) or infiltration rate (cm hr−1). However, a considerable difference was seen concerning porosity, with 100% VC recorded significantly higher porosity (52.8%) than the rest of the treatment. [Display omitted] •Fly ash is a byproduct of organic energy sources such as coal and lignite.•T2 (10% FA + 90% VC) produced greater biomass 69.7 t/ha and essential oil yield 429.3 kg/ha.•T1 (100% VC) recorded significantly higher porosity (52.8%) than the rest of the treatment.•Except T13 (0 fertilizer), all treatments had high neral, geranial but geranyl acetate unaffected.•Applying 10 and 20% fly ash in combination with vermicompost was beneficial for yield, and quality.