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Title: Organic versus conventional fertilization effects on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) growth in a greenhouse system

Author
item BUFALO, JENNIFER - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
item Cantrell, Charles
item ASTATKIE, TESSEMA - Dalhousie University
item ZHELJAZKOV, VALTCHO - University Of Wyoming
item GAWDE, ARCHANA - University Of Wyoming
item FERNANDES BOARO, CARMEN SILVIA - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)

Submitted to: Industrial Crops and Products
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2015
Publication Date: 5/11/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62254
Citation: Bufalo, J., Cantrell, C.L., Astatkie, T., Zheljazkov, V.D., Gawde, A., Fernandes Boaro, C. 2015. Organic versus conventional fertilization effects on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) growth in a greenhouse system. Industrial Crops and Products. 74:249-254.

Interpretive Summary: Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) is an essential oil producing crop used in culinary and fragrance applications. The objective of this controlled environment study was to evaluate the effects of organic and conventional fertilization, (applied at two nitrogen rates, 150 and 250 kg N/ha), on plant growth, essential oil yield and chemical profile, and tissue nutrient accumulation in sweet basil. Overall, basil plants fertilized with organic fertilizer at a rate of 150 kg N/ha accumulated greater concentrations of potassium (K) and manganese (Mn). The highest fresh weight was obtained from the plants grown with conventional fertilizer at a rate of 250 kg N/ha. The essential oil yield was the highest in the 250 kg N/ha conventional fertilizer treatment, followed by the yield in the 150 kg N/ha organic fertilizer treatment. The results from this study demonstrated that organic or conventional fertilizer can alter fresh or dry weight, essential oil yield and nutrient absorption without modifying essential oil composition.

Technical Abstract: Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) is an essential oil producing crop used in culinary and fragrance applications. The objective of this controlled environment study was to evaluate the effects of organic and conventional fertilization, (applied at two nitrogen rates, 150 and 250 kg N/ha), on plant growth, essential oil yield and chemical profile, and tissue nutrient accumulation in sweet basil. Overall, basil plants fertilized with organic fertilizer at a rate of 150 kg N/ha accumulated greater concentrations of potassium (K) and manganese (Mn). The highest fresh weight was obtained from the plants grown with conventional fertilizer at a rate of 250 kg N/ha. The essential oil yield was the highest in the 250 kg N/ha conventional fertilizer treatment, followed by the yield in the 150 kg N/ha organic fertilizer treatment. Treatments did not affect the oil content (0.34-0.54% range), oil yields (11.4-20.7 mg/pot), and the concentration of eucalyptol, (-)-linalool, bornyl acetate, eugenol, a-trans-bergamotene, germacrene D, '-cadinene and epi-a-cadinol in basil oil. The results from this study demonstrated that organic or conventional fertilizer can alter fresh or dry weight, essential oil yield and nutrient absorption without modifying essential oil composition.