Genetic variability and relationship in quantitative and qualitative traits of Java']Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus, Jowitt)

Thirty accessions of Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus, Jowitt) and four accessions (three Indian and one Sri Lankan) of Ceylon citronella (C. nardus (L.) Rendle var. nardus) were examined for genetic variability. For most of the traits examined, genetic correlations were found to be larger than phenotypic correlations. Oil yield was positively and significantly correlated with tillers/plant, herbage yield and citronellal content of the oil, while it was negatively correlated with the citronellyl acetate content. The elemol content of the oil was negatively associated with the contents of citronellal, citronellyl acetate and geranyl acetate in the oil. From the study, improvement of oil quality with high citronellal content and low elemol content is believed to be achievable, although some compromise will have to be made in oil yield.