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This book has been prepared as a text-book, keeping in view of the post graduatestudents of State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) of India and abroad perusing for M.Sc. (Agri.) and Ph.D. (Agri.) in the discipline of Crop Improvement/ Genetics and Plant Breeding. An attempt has been made to present the basic requirements needed for perusing the crop improvement/breeding programme on the development of aromatic plants taking into consideration of origin nature of crop, availability of genotypic variation with regard to availability of different species within genus and between genus. The text book has been written keeping in view of the courses offered during post graduate programme approved by the council (ICAR) for agricultural universities across the country. Important and necessary aromatic plant crops have been discussed and presented in this book with all the basic requirements viz. genotypic variability, genetic variability, cytogenetics, availability of presently released varieties from different institutions in India, breeding methodology to be used or useful, polyploidy, mutation, hybridization, clonal selection and biotechnological approaches. Keeping in view, the scattered and non-availability of compiled information on the aspects of crop improvement/genetic & plant breeding in the literature, first attempt has been made in this regard for the benefits of the students perusing for their degree and the teachers/scientists engaged in teaching for the betterment/improvement of aromatic plants for their higher economic end produce and quality of essential oil for major constituents required for the industries engaged in cosmetic, perfumery, aromatherapy and pharmaceuticals developing analgesic, mouth-freshness and immunity booster medicines using different aromatic plants extracts.

Aromatic plants are the life line of essential oil trades all over the world. India is considered to be botanical garden on account of prevalence of rich plant biodiversity owing to varied topography and wide range of climatic conditions present in different parts of the country About 1300 plant species have been reported to be of aromatic value and 80 plant species are commercially grown and in high demand, but only 42 plant species are being exploited by modern pharmaceutical and essential oil industries as a source of raw materials for a range of natural perfumes, flavours, cosmetics, food and flavouring and aroma–therapy. Plant-genetic diversity is the key component of agricultural production system, and no natural evolutionary adjustment of the system to changing environment and biotic conditions would be possible without it. India is richly endowed with plant wealth, utilized either directly for cultivation or as source of useful traits for breeding improved varieties. Collection, conservation and sustainable use of available gene pool and their wild relatives require specific attention keeping in view their overall importance and significance in agriculture and food security vis-à-vis day–to-day needs. Cultivation of aromatic plants having aroma due to presence of an essential oil in their various parts needs to be made competitive against other seasonal crops, so that production from cultivated harvests are preferred over collections from the wild. There are possibilities of using the produce in cosmetic, perfumery and aromatherapy industries of several aromatic plants. So, the breeding strategy of aromatic crops should aim for improving the contents of therapeutic compounds, yield of grains, biomass yield, roots yield and oil quality & quantity.

The aromatic plants are the valuable source for flavours, fragrances and other pharmaceutical products. The aromatic plants possess odoriferous and volatile substances, which occur in the form of essential oils, gum exudate, balsam and oleo-resin. The chemical nature of these aromatic substances may be due to a variety of complex chemical compounds. Natural essential oils comprising a complex mixture of aroma chemicals, which are difficult to reconstitute in the chemical industry, fetch very high prices. India has a long perfumery tradition that dates back to over 5,000 years in Indus Valley Civilization. In the excavation of Harrappa and Mohanjodaro, a water distillation still and receiver have been recorded, whose shape resemble to the deg and bhabka currently used by attaries (traditional perfumers) of Kannauj in India (Gupta and Chadha, 1995). Aromatic plants are very important part of agriculture and have been grown in India for their fragrance and therapeutic use from ages. Presently, several aromatic plants are in use for medication have come from our ancestors, inhabiting in different countries. The recent advances made in chemical and instrumentation technology led to the identification and isolation of principal chemical compounds diversely used in medicines, food, cosmetics, toiletries, bouquets, aerosols, paints, varnishes, insecticides etc (Arya et al., 2021). However, the perfumery and allied industries consume much larger amount of the natural fragrant material. Many of the aromatic plants are valued for naturally occurring essential oils and the bulk of the produce finds use in perfumery and the food flavouring industries.

India is endowed with rich treasure of aromatic plants of great industrial importance in its forests, wetlands and marine areas. India is among the 12 mega biodiversity centers of the world, which accounts for about 8 percent of the total biodiversity recorded so far. Despite of having only 2.4 percent land area of the world, India has been divided into 16 Agroclimatic zones having about 49000 plant species. Out of which 15000 species belong to medicinal and aromatic plants group. Out of these, 1500 medicinal and aromatic plants have identified, but only 500 species are commonly used in the preparation of ISM&H drugs. Besides, more than 150 plant species have been found endangered and are at the verge of extinction. Indian export of raw drugs based on medicinal and aromatic plants has grown steadily at 25 % over the last few years. WHO has forecasted that the global market for herbal products is expected to be around US$ 5 trillion by 2050, and further emphasized the need for revitalization, and expansion of traditional system of medicines. But merely 150 medicinal and aromatic plants species are being reported to be used commercially on fairly large scale (Chandel et al.,1996). The global market in plant based pharmaceuticals in growing rapidly day-byday leading to a sizeable increase in demand for herbal plants. Even today, 80-90% of naturally growing wild populations have remained the main source of raw materials used for drugs in India without applying scientific management techniques essential to sustain the growth and preserve useful properties essential to determine the efficacy of the medicines. The wild source is now being depleted and exploited without scientific harvesting techniques/ practices.

There has been increasing demand of plant based raw materials for manufacturing pharmaceuticals, flavours, fragrances, cosmetics & other related products. Among these, ginsenosides, taxol, artemisinin etc. are some of the biomolecules used in making drugs with great demand in the market. Aromatic plants are an integral component of research and development in the pharmaceutical and aroma industry. In India, the annual growth in this sector is around 15-20 percent. There are approximately 7500 plant species of medicinal value, including aromatic plants having significant scope for phyto-pharmaceuticals and cosmetic & perfumery industry. Because raw materials are still harvested from wild growing populations in the forests, introduction of these plants in agriculture is need of the hour for further research efforts to bring them into commercial cultivation as these plants also promise large benefits to farmers, if brought under cultivation. This can be achieved by screening germplasm from natural flora to select suitable genotypes for sustainable use in the prevalent cropping system. Plant tissue culture technically known as micro-propagation and broadly defined as a collection of methods used to grow large number of plants in vitro (in an aseptic and closely controlled environment). This technique is effective because almost all plant cells are totipotent, meaning thereby that each cell possesses the genetic information and cellular machinery to generate an entire organism. Micro-propagation, therefore, can be used to produce large number of plants, which are genetically identical to parent plants as well as to one another (Raveen et al., 1999).

The separation of essential oils responsible for odour/fine smell from different plantparts by gentle heating is known by centuries ago. A large number of such components being volatile are called as ‘Essential oils’. Presently, it also covers many of the less volatile constituents. The essential oils (extracts of the plant) with different types of flavours/odours are aromatic components, which can be separated by steam/hydro-distillation or extraction by solvents. Essential oils largely contain terpenic compounds, made up of two or more isoprenyl units (C-5). Besides, a large number of other compounds which have nothing to do with isoprene units, have also been reported by various workers. Essential oils are of quite use in perfumes, flavour and aroma-therapy industries and their economic production is very much essential from farmers’ point of view. The optimum stage of harvest is very crucial for high quality and quantity of the essential oil from different parts of the plants (leaves, inflorescence, entire herb, roots, seeds, rhizomes etc.). The quality of the essential oils largely depends on the kinds of the metals (copper, aluminium, mild steel, stainless steel) used in distillation unit, as some of the essential oils react with free acids present in the oil and thus imparting off-smell of aroma and colouration. Presently, distillation units made up of stainless steel are preferred which has no reaction to phenolic, acids, etc., and oils produced are very clean, less coloured and of high quality preferred by the cosmetic and perfumery industries engaged in formulation of various types of essence and scents.

The quality of essential oils is very complex. An individual oil may have hundreds of ingredients, the principle components being a group of complex substances known as terpenes and their compounds or derivatives. Due to this reason a single essence has a wide range of therapeutic actions. The chemical constituents of plants are of two kinds: products of primary metabolism and products of secondary metabolism. The first are mainly carbohydrates, amino acids and fixed oils produced by light-absorbing (photosynthetic) processes. The latter group of chemicals arises from the primary metabolites. They include glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloid and essential oils. Essential oils lack the water soluble constituents such as tannins, bitter compounds sugar, mucilages and pectins, playing important role in the medical action of the plant. The essential oils have been credited with possessing almost all therapeutic properties in a concentrated form. The therapeutic properties of the whole oil are that result of synergism: an interaction of all its chemical constituents working harmoniously together so that the whole essential oil becomes more potent than the sum of its individual parts. The essential oil lacks certain chemical compounds found in the raw plant material. It is still a highly complex substance, that it cannot be replicated in the laboratory. Even though high-tech processes such as gas liquid chromatography (GLC) can separate out main constituents of essential oils. By looking at the chromatogram, it is impossible to isolate the numerous trace elements including number of unidentified compounds which make up the whole.

Essential oil obtained from aromatic plants is a mixture of several naturally arising biochemical compounds that occur in some plants which have scented flowers, leaves, bark, seeds, stem wood, or roots. As per the biochemical view, the active ingredients of essential oils are tranquil of oxygenated hydrocarbons and several other types of hydrocarbons which may be clustered conferring to their biochemical structure into esters, terpenes, aldehydes, alcohols, phenols and ketones etc. Carbon is considered as the basic element for all kinds of essential oils. Majority of essential oil compounds are made of C, H, O, N and S atoms. The atom of these different kind of elements are joined to each other to make the essentia oil molecules. These biomolecules are made up of five carbon atoms is named isoprene. All essential oil compounds mainly consist terpenic compounds having two or more than two isoprene units (C5). These Isoprene units (C5) are generally attached to each other in head to tail fashion, hence ‘isoprene rule’ is followed. When two units of isoprene (10 C) are joint together, they form what is known as monoterpenes. Likewise, when three, four, five, six and eight units are united, they are called sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sesterterpenes, triterpenes and tetraterpenes, respectively. These terpenes are colourless liquids and are generally lighter than water. They are highly refractive and insoluble in water. The ‘terpene’ term is usually restricted to hydrocarbon but on addition of oxygen in it, these are called terpenoids. These include menthol, cirtral, linalool, geraniol, carotenes, camphor, thymol, menthone etc. (Maheshwari, 1995). Generally, the essential oil is extracted from aromatic plants through various methods but for production of essential oil for aromatherapy, the only suitable methods are those that are non-toxic. This contains cold pressing, distillation, and, in some cases, extraction by using the non-toxic solvents.

Aromatic plants are one of the major natural resources of our country occurring in diverse eco-system. Lately, many people due to rare chances of side effects prefer herbal medicines/remedies and their safer products. Aromatic plants sector of our country is not well organized which needs to be given special attention in States as well as National level. At present in India, total trade of Ayurveda and other herbal products is estimated to be around 5000 crores, which indicates that medicinal and aromatic plants have good potential. Presently, 90 percent of traded medicinal plants are generally collected from wild and rest from cultivation. These are either used fresh or in the form of crude drug, either dried whole plant or their part/parts such as root, stem, wood, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and their products. The major producers of medicinal products in the world are China, Brazil, Bulgaria, Poland and India. Though India has rich medicinal and aromatic plant diversity, yet China is the largest exporter of medicinal plants earning huge amount (US $ 5 million) from herbal trade due to large scale cultivation, standardization of quality control, safe and regular suppliers to the international market. Despite being home for several Traditional System of Medicines and aroma industries, the export of herbal based products from India is below US $ 100 million. According to WHO estimates, the herbal and aroma market is growing at the rate of 7 percent annually. The major export market for India is USA, Japan, Germany, France, Australia etc.

Introduction  It is a common vegetable crop of rabi season which belongs to the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). Due to prevalence of protandry condition, the crop is cross pollinated in nature and self-pollination within individual flower is restricted. It comprised of three distinct cultivated varieties grown over the world for various economic purposes and classified as below depending upon usefulness of different parts. Origin It found is globally distributed in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Mediterranean basin, and South America, whereas Argentina and Chile are the richest sources. Habitat is extensively ranging from Egypt, Algeria, and Abyssinia to Sweden.

Introduction Chamomile is generally known as German or Hungarian chamomile. Its herb is commonly used for both medicinal as well as aromatic purposes. It was introduced in India during late fifties by Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu (Handa et. al., 1957) and subsequently in different parts of India. It was successfully grown over saline soils at CIMAP, Lucknow and later at several other locations. It was also introduced at YSPUH&F at Solan (H.P.) under AICRP on M&APs and several parameters were identified for better utilization of inputs for higher production of herb. Its flowers also contain an essential oil with multiple uses. Origin It is native to Europe and mainly cultivated in the regions of northern, central and eastern European countries, Mediterranean, N. Africa, United States, Germany, France, Hungary and Russia. It is found grown in wild state in eastern and southern Europe, West Asia and North Africa.

Introduction It was first introduced from Java by National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow in 1959. Later on Regional Research Laboratory (RRL) of CIMAP, Bangalore started research work from 1961. Presently, it is cultivated in Karnataka, Assam, Maharashtra, TN, WB, AP, Southern Gujarat and UP. Citronella oil is produced from two species, viz., Cymbopogon winterianus (Java type) and C. nardus (Ceylon type). About 300-350 tonnes of oil is produced annually in India, as against 7000 tonnes in the world. Origin It is reported to be originated from Borneo, Java and Sumatra Uses Despite production of synthetic isolates in large scale, there is still a widespread preference for natural citronella oil because of its unique olfactory and stable technical properties, which are vital in blending perfumes and compounding industrially important essences. The oil is mainly used in perfumery, soaps, detergents, industrial polishes, cleaning compounds, mosquito repellent products and other industrial products.

Introduction Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall.) is one of the important aromatic herb found abundantly in humid habitats in the plains all over India. It is popularly known as sage brush, worm wood and mug word. The davana (Artemisia pallens) is a small to medium height; annual and herbaceous aromatic plant. This herb is erect, and grow up to 60 cm height. Its leaves are highly divided and bears small size yellow coloured flower. Its leaves and stem found protected with greyish-white tomentum. The leaves are lobed, alternate, and petiolate. Origin & Distribution It is native to southern India, where it is traditionally grown in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, T.N., and A.P, growing widely in tropical to subtropical plains as Rabi season crop. It also found growing in wild form in the Himalayan region in the Simla, Kashmir valley, and Nainital hills. It is widely used by Ayurvedic healers to balance the three energies. It is an erect growing plant up to 60 cm height. It does not grow wild, but grown as a garden plant in South India. It is a crop of irrigated conditions; and do well when planted in November-December, yielding significantly higher oil yield in comparison to crop planting in July-August. The crop should be harvested 2-3 inches above ground level during bright sunny days at 50 percent flowering stage to have high oil content and oil yield.

Introduction Dill seed/sowa belong to the genus Anethum and it is derivative of Greek word ‘aneeson or aneeton’, meaning thereby strong smell. The botanical name of dill seed is Anethum graveolens L. It is the only species falling in the genus Anethum, and known as East Indian dill or Sowa (Anethum graveolens var. sowa Roxb. ex, Flem.) in India. It is cultivated as a foliage crop in rabi season stretched in the Indian subcontinent. Origin It seems to be originated in South-east Europe or South-west Asia and also native to Central Asia, Mediterranean and southern USSR. It belongs to India, as it is found growing in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, A.P., M.P. and Rajasthan. Uses • Used as in abdominal discomfort, colic and promoting digestion. • Cures ‘vata’, ‘kapha’, ulcers, eye diseases and uterine pains. • Paste of dill seed with milk is used for external use in rheumatic and swellings of joints. • Attributed to tonic, rejuvenating and intellect promoting properties. • Used as condiment. • Seeds are used as carminative, aromatic, galactogogue, mildly diuretic, stomachic and stimulant.

Introduction Geranium is also known as cranesbill, scented geranium/rose geranium. It is adaptable over a wide range of soil conditions and drought tolerant. Being perennial aromatic herb, it is cultivated for rose scented essential oil extracted from leaves and tender shoots. The oil thus obtained is also called pelargonium oil or rose-geranium oil. The oil is of varied colour from colourless to pale yellowbrown or greenish. The genus Pelargonium belongs to the family Geraniaceae. Origin Geranium is native to sub-tropical southern Africa, and the most popular of bedding and green-house plants. The genus Pelargonium consists of about 600 species, which are annual, biennial, and perennials found in Cape province of South Africa. Botany The cultivated geraniums may belong to herbaceous to woody with thick fleshy leaves of round to lobed shape and deep cut. The flowers are present in terminal clusters with varying colours from white to pink, deep red and violet. Cultivated species are hybrids, having double flowers of mixed colours.

Introduction Genus Curcuma belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and containing of about 122 species. These are grown profusely in Asian countries including, India, China, and Southeast Asia, Northern Australia and New Guinea. Like ginger, it is also the popular herb of this family for the utilization of its underground rhizomatous stem by human beings. Botanically it is named as Curcuma longa L. Its bright yellow spicy powder is got from the dried rhizome is termed turmeric powder, which is the final product of this herb. In addition to this curcumin bio-active compound is also extracted by cursing rhizomes of turmeric. The plants turmeric are considered to be a hybrid and sterile leaving vegetative propagation from rhizome as the single mode of propagation. India is recognized as the power house of turmeric production. Along with us, our neighbours in South East and Eastern region, including Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia and even China are considered major producers. Floral Biology All species of Curcuma genus have almost alike flowering spikes that mainly originate from the topmost region of the rhizome (pseudo-stem) or sometimes on a separate stem directly from the rhizome. These two stems differ onlyin the inner portion of rhizome, which differ in colour, i.e., creamy, white, orange, yellow, bluish-green, blue, and sometime black also. The rhizomes exhibit commercial value as a medicine as well as food spice. Curcuma longa L. (Syn. Curcuma domestica Val.), is the common turmeric. It is the top ranking herb based on its economic potential among all the members of this genus and cultivated in India about 150,000 hectares.

Introduction Jasmine is commonly known as Chameli, Champa, Juhi, Mogra, and Motia in India. French jasmine, Spanish jasmine and Catalonian jasmine are also found in India. It consisted of both as vines/climbers and shrubs. Origin ‘Jasminum’ word is derived from an Arabic word ‘Yasmin.’ It is native to the Himalayas and mostly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It originated in the north-east foothills of Himalayas in Indo-Burma. It is known for characteristic smell and beautiful colours of flowers for our indoor as well as outdoor gardening. Jasmines are a group of ornamental domesticated plants, grown perennial for their fragrant flowers. However, its potential for production of perfume has also been first exploited in France. Distribution It was first introduced on commercial scale for production of essential oil in Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Syria, Algeria, Tunisia, United Arab Republic, China and India. Keeping in view the manual picking of flowers, it is labour based agro-industry. Presently,

Introduction Lemongrass grows widely in many tropical and subtropical parts of Asia, Africa and America. East Indian or true lemongrass (C. flexuosus) is indigenous to India and large variability occurs in the Western Ghats comprising Kerala, Karnataka and T.N., besides Sikkim and A.P. Its cultivation and distillation of oil started first in Kerala and now grown in Assam, Maharashtra and U.P. The strong lemon like odour of the oil of the grass is responsible for its nomenclature. Predominantly, there are two types of lemongrass under cultivation, viz., the East Indian or Cochin or Malabar grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) with superior oil quality (75-85% citral) and preferred by the industry. The other West Indian or American lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf. is mainly cultivated in West Indian islands, Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico and Madagaskar; and comora islands, Thailand, Bangladesh and China. It has lower citral content and lower solubility in 70% alcohol. It is indigenous to India and spread over Western Ghats, comprising Kerala, Karnataka, TN, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Besides, a separate culture called Jammu lemongrass (Cymbopogon pendulus) is another indigenous species found wildly growing in West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and M.P. It also has high citral content, but cultivated to a limited extent in parts of Jammu in northern India.

Introduction Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis) was first introduced in India at Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu during 1952 from Japan (Kapoor et al., 1955); and then to Drug Research Laboratory, Jammu at Chakrohi farm. Subsequently, it was introduced to CIMAP Northern Zonal Research Station at Haldwani in Nainital district (U.P.) during 1963-64. In India,  the crop is mainly grown in Tarai districts of U.P. (Nianital, Badayun, Bilaspur, Rampur, Moradabad and Bareilly); extending to parts of Indo-Gangetic plains (Barabanki and Lucknow); and parts of Punjab (Ludhiana and Jalandhar) in the north-western India. Mint or Pudina comes under a small genus Mentha of aromatic perennial herbs which belongs to family Labiatae (Laminaceae), distributed mainly to temperate and sub-temperate regions of the world. It has blue, laverder or white flowers in whorls. Peppermint (M. x piperita) and spearmint (M. spicata) are largely cultivated in America, mainly in Oregan, Indiana, Idaho and south Michigan states. It was introduced in India during early 1980s. Uses The above-ground herb (foliage) on distillation yields essential oil containing a large variety of aroma chemical command a large and world-wide demand in industry as given below.

Introduction Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis) was first introduced in India at Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu during 1952 from Japan (Kapoor et al., 1955); and then to Drug Research Laboratory, Jammu at Chakrohi farm. Subsequently, it was introduced to CIMAP Northern Zonal Research Station at Haldwani in Nainital district (U.P.) during 1963-64. In India,  the crop is mainly grown in Tarai districts of U.P. (Nianital, Badayun, Bilaspur, Rampur, Moradabad and Bareilly); extending to parts of Indo-Gangetic plains (Barabanki and Lucknow); and parts of Punjab (Ludhiana and Jalandhar) in the north-western India. Mint or Pudina comes under a small genus Mentha of aromatic perennial herbs which belongs to family Labiatae (Laminaceae), distributed mainly to temperate and sub-temperate regions of the world. It has blue, laverder or white flowers in whorls. Peppermint (M. x piperita) and spearmint (M. spicata) are largely cultivated in America, mainly in Oregan, Indiana, Idaho and south Michigan states. It was introduced in India during early 1980s. Uses The above-ground herb (foliage) on distillation yields essential oil containing a large variety of aroma chemical command a large and world-wide demand in industry as given below.

Introduction Palmarosa/Roshagrass (Cymbopogon martinii var. motia): It is a tall perennial tuffed hedge grown naturally as well as commercially in the old world tropics and sub-tropics of India. It occurs in open scrub forests in parts of MP, Maharashtra and AP, where it is commercially collected and distilled for its oil. It is also sporadically found in Karnataka, TN and part of UP. The herb along with flowering tops and foliage, on distillation yield a colourless to pale yellow essential oil with sweet scented\ rose-like aroma, containing high geraniol; and used in cosmetics, toiletry and perfumery industry. Concerted efforts during last two decades to develop better cultural practices and development of improved varieties, the area has expanded all over the central, western and southern states of India. This crop is commercially grown in Indonesia, East African countries, Cuba and Brazil. At present, the total oil production is estimated to be around 300 tonnes annually, and two-third (200t) of it comes from cultivation. Ginger grass (Cymbopogon martinii Stapf. var. sofia): This is another form of roshagrass. Its distribution is overlapping in forests with the ture palmarosa grass, although it has preference for more moist-substratum. Both the forms are morphologically identical in field except their odour when leaves are crushed. Ginger grass has dense tuft and more luxuriant growth, but produces shorter inflorescence and more tolerant to the stagnating water. It crosses freely with palmarosa in nature, producing many intermediary forms.

Introduction Patchouli is known as patcholi in Hindi, patche tene in annada, patchapan or patcha in Marathi, patchilla in Malayalam, pacchilai in Tamil. It is a hardy perennial herb well-adjusted against the hot and humid climatic situations. Patchouli is an aromatic herb of immense importance due to presence of essential oil extracted from shade dried leaves. It possessed a powerful sweetness and spicy fragrance. Patchouli has tremendous business potential owning to its unique fragrance properties in the global market. Its oil easily blends with other essential oils giving strong base as fixative properties in preventing evaporation and promoting tenacity. Worldwide, Indonesia is considered as the chief patchouli oil producer. Origin Pogostemon cablin Benth. is natural to Philippines but also found growing wild in many countries of South Asian region. The word ‘cablin’ is derived from ‘cabalam’, a local name in the Philippines. Presently, it is not only cultivated on commercial scale in India but also in Indonesia, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Brazil, West Africa, Seychelles, Vietnam and West Indies.

Introduction Among flowers, the rose enjoys the greatest adorable position over the world. In real sense, rose almost hypnotised the man most by its colour and fragrance. Apart from its aesthetic value, the roses are of high economic benefits, and religious significant. Besides, it finds it place in art and culture from times immemorial. The rose thus merits pride of place as the ‘Queen of flowers’. Origin The damask rose is originated in ancient Persia (now Iran), and later on spreading over Europe and Northern Africa. Further, widespread farming of R. damascena for rose oil manufacturing began in Turkey and Bulgaria. Many countries of the world grow scented roses for extraction of the volatile essential oil. The genus Rosa grows wild in many parts of the temperate and sub-temperate regions. The major growing countries are Bulgaria, France, Italy, Turkey, Russia, China and India. Bulgaria is the principle European country for supply of rose oil to the world market. Among different species, Rosa centifolia Linn. is largely grown in France and Italy, whereas Rosa damascena Mill. in Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia and Persia. Rosa damascena Mill. was first introduced successfully in middle east countries during 1680, resulting in the establishment of entire area as ‘Valley of flowers’. It belongs to family rosaceae.

Introduction Basil/Tulsi is a popular name given to any aromatic herb that belongs to genus Ocimum and family Lamiaceae (Labiatae). The word ‘basil’ was derived from Greek word ‘Basilica’ which means the royal plant. It comprises over 160 species spread over the tropical, sub-tropical, and warmer part of temperate regions of both the hemisphere ranging from sea level to 2000 m height with their diversity met in West Africa. Tropical Africa has maximum diversity with 59 species, followed by sub-tropical region of South Africa with 19 species and India with 9 species only.  

Introduction Vetiver/Khas is a fibrous, perennial and aromatic root crop spread over Indian subcontinent. The genus Vetiveria is derived from its Tamil name ‘Vettiver’. It occurred largely in wet and damp environments over marshy lands in south-east Rajasthan and Haryana. Also found in river banks of western, central and northern U.P. up-to 1200 m elevation in the Himalayan foothills, T.N., Karnataka, Kerala and some parts of central India. Besides India, it is also widely grown in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Haiti, Vietnam and Brazil for its fragrant volatile oil (Guenther, 1972). This species along with its unique xerophytic characteristics of tolerating prolonged drought, also survives under long seasonal flooding; extreme temperature and sustainability over a wide range of soil salinity and alkalinity. The South Indian types are rich in oil percent, but content more of hydrocarbons and less oxygenated constituents, thus inferior to North Indian types having higher percentage of oxygenated compound and very high quality odour value. It belongs to family Graminae or Poaceae. Uses • Spongy and fibrous roots are commonly used for making cooler pads, floor mats, door screens emitting sweet fragrance with cooling effect in hot summer season when sprinkled with water as roots retain its delightful odour for a long period.

Introduction Wild marigold (Tagetes minuta) is also famous as African marigold and mint marigold, valued for its higher content and superior in essential oil quality among all the cultivated species undergenusTagetes. Marigold/Genda (Tagetes species) are mostly grown for scented flowers for utilization in functions all over the world. The flowers and leaves are of different varieties, which are identified by their distinct odouriferous oil. Origin It is inhabitant to the grasslands of temperate region in South America and now become widespread throughout the world. In India, it has been customized in the North-West Himalayas up-to an altitudes ranging from1000-2500 meters in H.P., U.P. and J&K. Now-a-days, Tagetes minuta is considered as an extensive weed in South Europe, Africa, South Asia, Australia, and Madagascar (Chalchat et al., 1995). It is found growing naturally as a noxious weed in the wild and arable farming systems. The high demand of its essential oil may leads into reduction of the wild resources, thus it is essential to start systematic cultivation in sub-tropical to temperate agro-climatic zones all over the world, mainly in the region of Indian subcontinent (Singh et al., 2003).