Optimization of harvesting stages for higher yield of Ocimum spp. in North Indian Plains

Abstract

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a popular culinary herb belongs to the family Lamiaceae. Basil also named as great basil or saint-joseph-wart. Leaf of basil has a pungent & strong taste some Asian basils have a clove like flavour. Basil used as a culinary herbs have been reported to posses antioxidant activities. A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant,Research Centre, Pantnagar (U.S.Nagar) Uttarakhand.India during kharif season 2018. The highest oil yield observed in T2 Cim-Snigdha (126.99 kg/ha) as compared to T3 Cim-Soumya (108.64 kg/ha), T5 Cim-Surabhi (86.22 kg/ha) as compared to others. The lowest oil yield (37.90 kg/ha) recorded in T4 Cim-Jyoti. Oil yield also differ at different harvest stages of different Ocimum sp. The highest oil yield 142.69 kg/ha observed at 100% flowering stage (S4) as compared to 138.56 kg/h at seed setting stage (S5), 63.60 kg/ha at 50% flowering stage (S3), and 56.63 kg/ha at bud initiation stage (S2). The lowest oil yield 25.54 kg/ha recorded at pre budding stage (S1). The highest oil yield 267.00 kg/ha was recorded in T3S4 interaction of variety and harvest stages (Cim-Soumya at 100% flowering) as compared to other treatments. Therefore recommended the Ocimum should be harvest at 100% flowering stage to get maximum oil yield and return to the farmers as compared to other.