CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF THE BIOLOGY AND MULTIPLICATION OF CYMBOPOGON FLEXUOSUS (D.C.) STAPF Lilia Chisnicean Botanical Garden (Institute) of ASM, Chisinau, 18 Padurii str. Summary. Spicy aromatic plants accompanied the man since ancient times, helping him to improve the taste and aroma of the food. Cymbopogon or lemon grass is popular in South-Eastern countries and now as well as in Europe. As an aromatic condiment fl avor lemon grass has medicinal proprieties. Undoubtedly, useful proprieties, the fragrance and decorative appearance have contributed to the introduction and study of this astonishing species in collection of spicy aromatic plants. Introduction Cymbopogon or lemon grass is a perenial rapidly growing plant, originated from India and Sri Lanka. Cymbopogon Spreng genus refers to the division of angiosperms (Magnoliophyta), class of monocots (Liliopsida), order Poales, family Gramineae (Poaceae) including more than 55 species. The most extended are Cymbopogon ambiguus, C. bambycinus, C. citratus (lemon grass from Western India), C. citriodora, C. fl exuosus (lemon grass from Eastern India), C. martinii (palmarosa), C. nardus (Citronella), C. obtectus, C. procerus, C. schoenanthus, C. refractus, C. winterianus Jowit. C. fl exuosus (DC) Stapf. The above-mentioned species of plants, provided the foliage is nice – a refreshing lemon fl avor with a hint of rose, thanks to essential oils. The main components of essential oil are citral and geraniol. The essential oil gives this plant sedatives, antidepressant [1], antioxidant, antiseptic, analgesic, antimicrobial, bactericidal, deodorant, insecticidal and antifungal properties [2]. In popular medicine, in native countries, lemon grass is used as a tonic for the skin and tissues, suppresses and soothes aching muscles, helps with indigestion, colitis, gastroenteritis, and some infectious diseases [3]. The Israelite scientists have discovered anti-cancer properties at this species [4]. Essential oil is also used in perfumes and cosmetics. Widely used in Asian food as a seasoning for soups, curries and various meat and fi sh dishes, as well as for fl avoring sweets and soft drinks. Decorative plants can be used for planting beds, bordures, and parks. 273 Materials and methods The researches have been performed initiated in 2010, when a sample of seeds of C. fl exuosus (DC) Stapf was received as a collegial donation. Studies on biological growth and development of plants, obtained from seeds (the fi rst year of vegetation), was performed concomitantly in the same year, after the method of Ermakov (1972). The plants were obtained by sowing the seeds of lemon grass in special trays for seedling production. The planting substrate consisted of bio-humus - 60% (wormcompost obtained after rain), forest soil - 30% and sand - 10%. The harvests and analysis were made at the interval of each two weeks (10 plants) when plants have sprung in mass. For vegetative propagation lemon grass was used the plants kept in pots in the greenhouses in winter, at low temperature to 100C and minimum humidity. Multiplication was performed in 2011 immediately before the planting in open ground. The applied method of division includes the cutting, in half, of roots or in four parts (at the more developed plants). After dividing of plants on the vegetative material the treatment for disinfection and growth stimulation with Glen extra by industrial product of algae and marine sediments was applied. In the spring of 2011 also seedlings from the rest of initial sample seeds according the same method were produced. Experience for the assessment the production of green mass was performed by the blocks method of 5 m2 plots, in two repetitions (recalculation in h and q). Statistical data it means analysis of variation was done by the method of Dospehov (1978). Results and discussions Seedlings of C. fl exuosus (DC) Stapf, sown on 15 February the pallets have germinated in 12 days. During the vegetation period following plants ontogenetic developmental periods were found: plantlet, juvenile, immature, virginal, and generative. At the age of seedlings the specimens are represented by small plantlets with the dimensions of 0,5–1,7 cm, with coleoptiles and two small lanceolate leafl et. The root is fasciculate, formed up to 8–10 fascicles, with the length up to 3–5 cm and twinning, in forming, node. In age juvenile period the plants has up to 5–7 stems of 15–19 cm length with 4–5 leaves lanceolate (6–8 cm length and 0,1–0,2 width), the roots are well developed achieving 20–22 cm with 11–13 fascicles. The ring twinning is in forming, shining, whitish, but still quite thin. At the age immature stage go continuing the process of twinning, the plant forming up to10-12 stems with a height of 27-35 cm, well leafed (8–9 leaves). Ring twinning is well formed with multiple buds, which are well 274 observed through leaf sheath tissues. When achieving the generative age the herbaceous plants represent a bush composed of 15–25 strains, with a height of 95–107 cm, well leafed, forming 12–17 leaves of length 29–37 cm and 1,5–2,0 cm width, of green–intense color. Leaf sheath is vigorous, even coarse, with the length of 33–40 cm. In this ontogenetic stage the plants have remained until the end of vegetation period (low environmental temperature is 3–50C) missing the phases of blossoming and earing. Up to this phase the aerial part of plants (herba) was harvested and dried, but the roots with a stem segment of 25–30 cm were transplanted in pots for further winter conserved in greenhouse. Seedlings and roots kept, in the spring were planted in the open ground. Comparative tests were made on plants derived from seedlings and at those from the roots stored in the winter (Table 1). Figure 1. Plants of the Cymbopogon fl exuosus (DC) Stapf in the generative age Table 1 Productive potential of C. fl exuosus plants reproduced by different methods, years 2010-2011 Production Rate of the Production of Rate of the Production Volatile oil of green leaves in comestible shoots in of leaves, production, mass, green mass, shoots, green mass, Years q / h kg / h q/ h % q / h % a b a b a b a b a b a b 2010 17.0 - 7.8 - 45.9 - 9.2 - 54.1 - 17.1 - 2011 18.0 23.0 8.3 9.9 46.1 43.1 9.7 13.1 53.9 56.9 16.8 27.0 x 17.9 23.0 8.2 9.9 46.0 43.1 9.5 13.1 54.0 56.9 17.0 27.0 a – obtained from seedling plants, b – plants obtained from stored roots winter. 275 Despite the fact that the results within just two years of research, and the plants roots obtained from only one, have been observed trends of increasing production of raw materials to the latter. The plants obtained from the roots in winter kept is higher the production of green mass and the volatile oil. Comestible shoots which are also used fresh, prevail in these plants. This is explained as rooted plants held higher winter already fully formed at the time of planting. They quickly restore its growth is more easily adaptable than seedlings reproduced. Conclusions Generative multiplication of Cymbopogon fl exuosus (DC) Stapf species seedling propagated by seed is a very successful method that allows identifi cation and selection of forms with high percentage of volatile oil and achieves mass production plant in the fi rst year of vegetation. Plants multiplied generative reach ontogenetic stage. The vegetative multiplications of roots kept in the greenhouse in winter, and fragmented before planting, are also obtained plants Cymbopogon fl exuosus (DC) Stapf, which are less vigorous, tending to increase the production of raw material and volatile oil. Curative qualities, seasoning, special ornamental, cultivation simplicity, requires introduction of the scope of use widely of this valuable species. Bibliography 1. Blanco MM, Costa CA, Freire AO, Santos JG, Costa M. Neurobehavioral effect of essential oil of Cymbopogon cytratus in mice, Phitomedicine, 16, 2009, p. 265. 2. Shadfd, O., Hanif, M.& Chaudhary, F.M. Antifunal activity by lemongrass oils. Pak.J. Sci. Ind. Res. 1992, p.246 – 249. 3. Leite JR, Seabra Mde L, Maluf E, tn al. Farmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon cytratus Stapf.). J. Ethnopharmacol 17, 1986, p.75-83. 4. Dudai N, Weinstein Y, Krup M, Rabinski T, Ofi r R., Cytral is a new inducer of caspase-3 in tumor cell lines, Planta med. 71, 2005, p. 8. 276.