Evaluation of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Essential Oil Content and Yield under Different Plant Densities and Nitrogen Levels

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of different planting densities and nitrogen doses on essential oil content and yield in herb and leaves of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The research was conducted during ۲۰۰۷ and ۲۰۰۸ using split-plot randomized complete block design with four replications. The experiment consisted of four plant densities (۳۰×۲۰, ۴۰×۲۰ and ۵۰×۲۰ cm) as the main plot and four nitrogen levels (۰, ۵۰, ۱۰۰ and ۱۵۰ kg/ha) as the sub plots. Results showed plant density did not have significant effect on essential oil content and essential oil yield in herb and leaves. Mean essential oil ratio in herb was ۰.۴۹, ۰.۴۴%; essential oil ratio in leaf ۰.۵۹, ۰.۵۴%; essential oil yield in herb ۱۹.۴, ۲۳.۷ l/ha and essential oil yield in leaf was ۱۲.۸, ۱۶.۱ l/ha during ۲۰۰۷ and ۲۰۰۸, respectively. The highest essential oil ratio in herb was obtained from ۴۰×۲۰ cm plant density and ۵۰ kg ha-۱ N during ۲۰۰۷. Nitrogen fertilizer had statistically insignificant effect on oil ratio of herb and leaves during two years of experiment. The highest essential oil yield of herb was obtained from low density(۳۰×۲۰ cm) using ۱۰۰ kg ha-۱ N fertilizer. In General, essential oil yield during ۲۰۰۸ with three cuts was better compared to ۲۰۰۷ with two cuts.

کلیدواژه ها:

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) ، Essential oil ratio ، essential oil yield ، Nitrogen doses ، plant density