Steady cultivar selection for the production of essential oil of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii [Roxb.] Wats. var. motia Burk.) in the semi-arid tropical Deccan plateau region of southern India

The development of the rose-scented palmarosa crop stable varieties is primarily driven by the essential oil it contains, which is highly valued in the fragrance and cosmetics industries because of its high geraniol and geranyl acetate content. The objective of this investigation was to improve the stable yield and quality of the essential oil. Traditional breeding relies heavily on the harvesting phase to maintain consistency in the essential oil content. Findings from the AMMI and GGE analyses showed that various kinds exhibit both general and niche environmental adaptability. The mean essential oil yields, as well as geraniol and geranyl acetate, were significantly influenced by both genetic variation and environmental variables. The stability of the traits is also influenced by the correlations between different attributes across the four stages of the eight seasons/environments. Pr2 at full blooming stages 1 and 2 and Pr4 at full blooming stage 1 had stability for the maximum oil yield, geraniol, and geranyl acetate, based on the overall average of the eight seasons/environments in four stages of the crop. Because they have higher G × E, which makes them more sensitive to environmental changes, the AMMI model identified Pr2 at full flowering stages 1 and 2 and Pr4 at full flowering stage 1 as being more stable and better suited to their environments. Of the four varieties studied, Pr2 full flowering stages 1 and 2 and Pr4 full flowering stage 1 were identified as higher essential oil yielders and stable, and they also possessed other desirable characteristics like high herb’ plant height, branches/plant, geraniol content, and geranyl acetate content. Therefore, commercial-scale production should take advantage of these stable cultivars.