Abstract

The world demand for medicinal and aromatic plant products is growing at the rate of 7.5% per annum. To meet the world demand, an experiment was conducted during 2007–09 (1st year) and 2009–11 (2nd year) at College Research Farm, Baba Raghav Das Post Graduate College, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, India on various sodic soils. The main objective of the experiment was to select the suitable and profitable medicinal and aromatic plants in different sodic soils. Experimental results showed that palmarosa produced highest oil yield 154.25, 145.75, 145.00 and 144.10 kg/ha followed by other plants under various sodic soils. Profitability of experiment indicated that palmarosa gave highest net returns of Rs. 71675, 62125, 61750 and 60160/ha with more benefit: cost ratio of 1.97, 1.55, 1.54 and 1.47 followed by other plants under various sodic soils. On the basis of results, palmarosa plant was more suitable and profitable under various ranges of sodic soils. Therefore, if managed judiciously, sodic soils can be successfully utilized for growing of palmarosa, lemon grass and khus without using amendments.