Sustainability Indicators of the Banana and Lemongrass Intercropping System in Different Harvest Seasons: Growth, Yield, Seasonality and Essential Oil Properties

Paulo Ricardo Rodrigues de Jesus, Sarita Leonel, Marcelo de Souza Silva (), Filipe Pereira Giardini Bonfim, Magali Leonel, Hebert Teixeira Cândido, Marco Antonio Tecchio, Nicholas Zanette Molha and Vinicius Martins Domiciano
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Paulo Ricardo Rodrigues de Jesus: Department of Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture (FCA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
Sarita Leonel: Department of Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture (FCA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
Marcelo de Souza Silva: Department of Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture (FCA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
Filipe Pereira Giardini Bonfim: Department of Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture (FCA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
Magali Leonel: Center for Tropical Root and Starches (CERAT), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
Hebert Teixeira Cândido: Department of Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture (FCA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
Marco Antonio Tecchio: Department of Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture (FCA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
Nicholas Zanette Molha: Department of Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture (FCA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
Vinicius Martins Domiciano: Department of Crop Sciences, School of Agriculture (FCA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: Lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus ) has potential for intercropping with banana ( Musa spp.) plants, thus contributing to the sustainability of plantations. The study evaluated the growth and yield of ‘Prata Anã’ banana and seasonality, yield and essential oil properties of lemongrass grown in intercropping and the land equivalent ratio. A randomized block design in a split plot arrangement was used, evaluating two cropping systems (sole crop and intercropping) and three harvest seasons during the year for lemongrass and two harvest seasons for banana, separately. The banana can be intercropped with lemongrass without interfering with its growth and production. The biomass production and essential oil yield of lemongrass differed according to cropping system and seasonality. The chemical composition of the essential oil showed stability in the concentration of citral (mixture of neral and geranial), with an average of 94.43%. Seasonal variations were observed in the content of these compounds and other components of the essential oil, emphasizing the importance of the time of harvest in the overall value of the oil. The result demonstrates the viability of intercropping, which not only provides crop yields for both species and produces more per unit area than a sole crop but also optimizes the use of resources and promotes more sustainable farming practices.

Keywords: Cymbopogon citratus; consortium; geranial; land equivalent ratio; sole crop; Musa spp.; neral (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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