Abstract
ABSTRACT Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is used as an aromatic and medicinal plant. Basil is grown in different regions with varying climates; the productivity and quality are influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors. This study was aimed to determine the impact of the application of different types of fertilizers on the yield and contents of some bioactive components in basil. The treatments consisted of three different types of fertilizers (mineral, organomineral, and organic) and control (without fertilization). The yield per plant and the essential oil content with fertilizer treatment were better than that in control. The highest fresh yield (450.9 g per plant) and oil content (0.94 mL 100 g-1) were recorded in basil cultivated using mineral fertilizers. Furthermore, the fresh yield (333.9 and 327.8 g per plant) and oil content (0.87 and 0.85 mL 100 g-1) were higher after the application of organic and organomineral fertilizers compared to that in the control treatment. There was no significant effect of fertilizer application on the total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity. This study demonstrated a suitable practical application of organomineral fertilizers as a nutrient source in basil crop production in areas where the use of mineral and organic fertilizers is limited.
Highlights
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual plant and belongs to the Lamiaceae family
No significant differences in essential oil content were found between the different cuttings, the results suggested that the average essential oil content in the second cut was higher than that in the first cut, probably due to the lack of precipitation
Our results showed that the yield and content of essential oils in basil increased with the use of fertilizers
Summary
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual plant and belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is native to Asia, to India, but is cultivated worldwide (Bucktowar; Bucktowar; Devi Bholoa, 2016). Basil is popular in households where it is most often used as a spice plant. It is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, the food industries, aromatherapy, and traditional and homeopathic medicines (Bucktowar; Bucktowar; Devi Bholoa, 2016; Kasote et al, 2015; Stanojković-Sebić et al, 2017). The pharmacological properties of medicinal and aromatic plants depend on various bioactive phytochemical compounds that have specific physiological effects in humans (Zareen et al, 2014). Some of the bioactive compounds are phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins. The content of these components in the plant mainly depends on the species (Gavrić et al, 2018a). One of the main cultural practices that play an important role in the growth, development and yield is the application of fertilizers (Dzida et al, 2018)
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