Improved Growth, Yield and Essential Oil Content of Basil Grown under Different Levels of Phosphorus Sprays in the Field

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2008 year in the Experimental Farm of Shiraz University located in the southwest region of Iran (a clay silt loam soil, a semi-arid moderate climatic area), to study the effects of phosphorus fertilization on the essential oil content, fresh and dry weight, plant and flower cluster height and chlorophyll content of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Phosphorus fertilizer was sprayed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 % at two time of basil growth (20 and 60 % full flowering). The essential oil was obtained by hydro- distillation from the herb of the plant. According to the results, phosphorus spray treatments had marked effects on the essential oil content of basil. Application of phosphorus significantly increased the essential oil content. 2 % treatment produced the highest amount of essential oil (0.93 %) in aerial parts and 10 % treatment produced the maximum amount of plant and flower cluster height (54.33 and
17.73 cm). However, fresh and dry weight was not affected significantly.