Essential oil crops.

Abstract

This book is concerned with the profitable cultivation of essential oil plants to obtain an aromatic derivative, and is intended for agricultural advisers, researchers, agronomists and extension workers concerned with these crops, for policy makers working on rural improvement in developing economies, specialists involved in the use of essential oils, and commodity traders. There are 15 chapters, 13 of which cover the following essential oil crops, grouped in families: Annonaceae (cananga), Geraniaceae (pelargonium, geranium), Gramineae [Poaceae] (citronella, lemongrass, palmarosa and gingergrass, and vetiver), Lamiaceae (patchouli), Lauraceae (camphor, cassia, cinnamon, sassafras, Ocotea, laurel, Litsea cubeba), Myristicaceae (nutmeg), Myrtaceae (clove, eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Leptospermum, Pimenta and myrtle), Oleaceae (jasmine and Osmanthus), Piperaceae (pepper, cubeb pepper and betel pepper), Rosaceae (rose), Rutaceae (lime, bitter orange, bergamot orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, sweet orange, boronia and West Indian sandalwood), Santalaceae (sandalwood), and Zingiberaceae (ginger). Each of these chapters provides a brief history of the use and economic development of the crops, and describes their botany, ecology, cultivation, pests and diseases, harvesting, distillation, and products. The 2 remaining chapters provide an overview of world trade in essential oils, and describe distillation and extraction procedures. There is a useful glossary of technical terms and a subject index.