Experimental studies on Influence of different doses of vermicompost on essential oil yield of Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu

Abstract

Vermicompost is a naturally occurring organic biofertilizer and it contains 1.5 – 2.5 % Nitrogen, 0.9 – 1.7 % Phosphorus, 1.5 – 2.4 % Potash, 0.5 – 1.0 % Calcium, 0.2 – 0.3 % Magnesium, 0.4 - 0.5 % Sulphur. Ocimum tenuiflorum yields aromatic oil containing eugenol (71.3%). The present study focused on the influence of different doses of vermicompost on the essential oil yield of Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu. In the experiment, six different doses of vermicompost (0- 3.0 tons/ha) was applied and during the course of investigation the essential oil from the herbs was collected at two different stages (i.e. at 45, 90 days after planting) and it was noticed that the essential content did not follow any particular pattern. Similarly, the chemical constituents of the oil were not influenced by the treatments. It was also observed that reduction in plant height and number of tillers/clump that was manifested in reduced herb yield was compensated by a higher oil concentration in the leaves. The highest content of Eugenol, was reported in addition to Methyl Eugenol, Beta Elemene and Caryophyllene.