SEEDLINGS PRODUCTION OF OCIMUM BASILICUM IN TWO SYSTEMS (FLOAT AND SEEDBED) WITH ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZATION

Abstract

Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) is an aromatic plant with a highly commercial interest because of its multiple uses (ornamental and seasoning) and its properties (extract of essential oils). Float system gives the opportunity to produce a large number of seedlings within a short period with good quality characteristics. The possibility of developing Ocimum basilicum seedlings in Float system and nursery as well as the effect of organic and inorganic fertilization on quality characteristics were examined. For both systems polystyrene pallets of multiple seats (176) were used in which the seeds were placed in a mixture of peat-perlite 1:1 v/v. Treatments included two organic nutrient solutions formulated with a) Fishfert (FF) and b) Codaphos and Codasting (C&C) and an inorganic nutrient solution formulated with soluble fertilizer (11-11-23). Growth characteristics (shoot and root fresh and dry weight) and leaf area per plant, was determined. Significant differences in germination and T50 were not detected between the two methods. The organic fertilization C&C gave the best results in both methods for all basil characteristics. Therefore, the production of Ocimum basilicum seedlings in float system using the organic nutrient solution C&C is recommended. This combination can produce seedlings with high quality characteristics, while the method is environmentally friendly.