Lavandula angustifolia (Syn: officinalis L.) is the oil of high aroma value. It grows in temperate regions especially in snow bound areas in well drained slightly alkaline soil (pH: 6.7-7.3). Jammu and Kashmir state hilly area of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are the ideal places for cultivation of organic lavender which fetches higher prices in International market. Lavender variety (RRL-12) developed by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu is the source of high-value, low-volume essential oil which is highly sought after by perfumery industry. Linalool and linalyl acetate content of lavender oil are the criteria of quality.
The developed Lavender variety is having linalool >26% and linalyl acetate >44% as per the international standards Lavender accessions have been collected from various locations based on morphological parameters. Plants have been screened for the number and spikelet length.