Economic and ecological aspects of aromatic-plant-based cropping systems.
2015
Rao, E. V. S. P.
Diversification of agriculture to support livelihoods and protect the environment has attracted the attention of scientists and policy makers. Aromatic plants have been considered as diversification crops in agricultural systems in many parts of the world. Aromatic plants synthesize secondary metabolites in the form of essential oils as a response to environmental and biotic stresses. These essential oils can be used in a variety of economic applications such as perfumes, flavours and fragrances as well as in pharmaceuticals, and provide additional economic returns to farmers. There is growing scientific evidence from different parts of the world suggesting that integration of aromatic crops in agricultural systems improves land use efficiencies as well as economic returns. The roles that aromatic plants play in ecological applications - such as soil erosion control, improvement of soil properties, carbon sequestration, phyto-remediation, utilization of low-quality irrigation waters and pest and disease management - have gained significance in agriculture. The present review discusses the role of aromatic plants in economic agriculture and in ecological services.
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