Effect of propagation methods and organic fertilization on growth and chemical constituents of ocimum basilicum l.,' sweet basil

Abstract EN

Two filed experiments were carried out during the two successive years of 2004 and 2005) to study the effect of propagation methods (seedlings from seeds and terminal cuttings) alone or with using organic manure fertilizer such as farm yard manure ''FYM'' or poultry manure ''PM'' at rates 0, 10, 20 and 30 m3 / fed.

on growth and chemical constituents of sweet basil plants.

The obtained results indicated that, all growth parameters i.e., plant height, number of branches / plant, number of inflorescences / plant, fresh weight of herb / plant and number of roots as well as volatile oil percentage, oil yield per plant and per feddan, N, P and K % and total carbohydrate contents in the herb were significantly increased as methods of propagation such as terminal cuttings and organic manure application of poultry manure.

The best results were obtained from poultry manure at rate of 20 m3 / fed.

or farm yard manure at rate of 30 m3 / fed.

Also cultivate terminal cuttings combined with organic manure fertilization gave the best results than seedlings combined with organic manure fertilization.

Terminal cuttings combined with poultry manure gave the best results than other combines.

The maximum increment in the studied growth parameters and chemical constituents as well as yield and its component were obtained by cultivate with terminal cuttings using medium rate 20 m3 / fed.

from poultry manure or high rate 30 m3 / fed.

from farm yard manure at rate of 30 m3/fed.

fertilization.