Abstract
• CIM-Sukhda is a linalool rich cultivar of basil. • Densely grown plants have better height and canopy • Higher amount of essential oil is produced in full bloom stage • Post harvest drying methods influence essential oil composition Ocimum basilicum L., popularly known as "sweet basil," is native to South Africa, America, and Asia. In India, numerous cultivars and varieties of O. basilicum have been released for commercial cultivation, which are rich in specific essential oils. In this study, the effects of phenological stages and plant density on the productivity of high-quality essential oil of CIM-Sukhda cultivar of O. basilicum and the effects of drying methods on essential oil quality were investigated. In the present study, four plant spacing (45cm × 30cm, 45cm × 40cm, 45cm × 45cm, 45cm × 60cm), four growth stages (vegetative, semi-flowering, full flowering and seed formation) and drying up to one month were compared. A total of 20 compounds were identified by GC and GC-MS, with linalool (66.9-84.2%), geranial (1.1-9.0%), neral (0.8-7.0%) and 1,8-cineole (0.5-3.4%) as the main constituents. The results showed that both plant density and growth stages affected herb and essential oil yield. The essential oil yield of CIM-Sukhda plants is higher at the time of full flowering (106.2 kg ha −1 ) with > 75.0% linalool content in the essential oil.
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