Eucalyptus essential oil, extracted from fresh leaves, holds considerable potential for strengthening rural livelihoods in regions where these trees are cultivated. Rich in bioactive compounds with diverse biological properties, the oil is widely used in traditional medicine and has expanding applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and aromatherapy industries, ensuring sustained market demand. However, systematic research is urgently needed to quantify variations in essential oil content alongside timber yield among different clones to identify site-specific, high-performing genotypes. Such a selection would enhance productivity and promote wider adoption of Eucalyptus under agroforestry and block plantation systems. Additionally, large quantities of leaves and small twigs generated during harvesting remain underutilized and may exert allelopathic effects if left in the field. Their efficient utilization for essential oil extraction can provide an additional income stream, contributing to sustainable economic development in rural areas.
Srivastav et al. (Mon,) studied this question.