The pre-eminence of agro-parameters and chemical constituents in the influence of harvest interval by traits × environment interaction over the years in lemon-scented basil (Ocimum africanum Lour.)

Abstract

The lemon-scented basil (Ocimum africanum Lour.) is known for its pleasant lemon aroma and diverse medicinal uses. A field experiment was conducted in the two consecutive years, 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, at CSIR-CIMAP RC Hyderabad, India, on the effect of different harvesting intervals on agro parameters and chemical constituents of aromatic-cum-medicinal crop lemon-scented basil (Ocimum africanum Lour.). The study aims to standardize the appropriate harvesting time for the maximum essential oil yield with high citral content across the years/environments and recommendations for the best harvesting time. It is cleared from this investigation that the harvesting stage, traits, environment, and harvesting interval (H) × Years (Y), harvesting interval (H) × traits (T), traits (T) × years (Y), and harvesting interval (H) × traits (T) × years (Y) interactions play a vital role in operating the gene expression for the essential oil yield, and others quality characters in the O. africanum variety CIM Jyoti. The most appropriate harvesting stage is recommended at a full blooming stage in 75 days for maximum essential oil production.