Essential Oil Crops

Plants producing an aromatic oil, fruit, or seed have been used in religious ceremonies, for personal use and adornment, and for flavouring throughout history. Today there is still considerable pressure by consumers worldwide to use perceived natural compounds in edible and personal products. It is essential that producers should be able to service this growing demand efficiently, economically and above all reliably. Additionally, many essential oil crops form part of the economy of countries with growing populations where there is an inevitable pressure on agricultural land as a resource for food and fuel crops. It is therefore important to understand and develop ways of ensuring maximum return on the investments made in establishing and growing these crops. This book addresses these issues. It is concerned with growing essential oil plants to obtain an aromatic derivative in an economic and reliable manner. Each chapter covers a different family. A brief history of the use and economic development of the crop is given and the cultivation and care of the crop is discussed. Research findings and recommendations for improved agronomic practices are also included. Ways of adding value to the crop, such as extracting the oil, are also discussed. This book is aimed at researchers and agronomists concerned with essential oil crops. It is also for agricultural advisors and development workers and contains information for commodity traders and policy makers working in this area.