The Effect of Organic, Biologic and Chemical Fertilizers on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most important medicinal plants that its essential oil used in different medicinal industries. In this research, effects of different types of fertilizers were evaluated on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of basil. The research was conducted under field condition in complete randomized block design with three replications. The treatments included vermicompost, livestock manure chemical fertilizer, biofertilizer (Azospirillum/ Azotobacter), combinations of vermicompost and 50% chemical fertilizer, combinations of biofertilizers and 50% chemical fertilizer, manure and control. The highest dry yield in first and second harvest observed in combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer. Results showed highest essential oil content obtained in chemical fertilizer and combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer. According to the results, application of chemical fertilizer, biofertilizer and combinations of biofertilizer and 50% chemical fertilizer increased essential oil yield to 41%, 33% and 38%, respectively. Identification of essential oil components showed that content of Eugenol and Methyl chavicol increased with application of nitrogen fertilizers. It is concluded that application of biofertilizers enhanced quantitative and qualitative characteristics in this plant. Generally, it seems that using of biofertilizers could improve basil performance in addition to reduction of environmental pollution.