Genetic diversity of selected basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) genotypes based on morphological, yield, and leaf color parameters

Abstract

ABSTRACT Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an aromatic plant used in foods, pharmaceuticals, and in cosmetics. In this study, the morphology and yield of 17 different basil genotypes and three cultivars (Moonlight, Midnight, and Dino) from Türkiye were analyzed in 2019 and 2020. A wide range of variations in plant height, number of branches, and weights of fresh and dry herbs weights were observed. The genotypes PI 531,396 from Hungary, PI 174,284 from Türkiye, PI 253,157 from Iran, and the Dino cultivar had the highest plant yield compared with the other genotypes and cultivars. The leaf color parameters (L*, a*, b* C*, H° and WI) were also determined for the plants. The highest lightness (L*) values were recorded in the PI 190,100 genotype, and the highest yellowness/blueness (b*) and hue angle (H°) values were recorded in the PI 207,498 genotype. The highest redness/greenness (a*), chroma (C*), and whiteness index (WI) values were recorded in the PI 197,442, PI 190,100, and PI 531,396 genotypes, respectively. Except for the L* values, the leaf color parameters clustered on the same side of the principal component analysis (PCA) axis. Dendrogram analysis divided the genotypes and cultivars into two main groups, and the main A group contained the cultivar Dino only. Therefore, the study identified important genotypic characteristics of the examined basil genotypes and cultivars that could be utilized to develop new cultivars.