Response of sweet basil to different irrigation rates and some micronutrients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Medicinal and Aromatic plants Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 12619 Giza, Egypt.

2 Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, 11511 Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Water deficiency is the greatest problem facing the world nowadays. So, reducing the plant water requirements is a very strategic aim. This investigation aims to examine the effect of irrigation rates and various doses of micronutrients on vegetative growth, oil yield, and the composition of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). A field experiment was conducted in a new sandy reclaimed land for two seasons. Different irrigation rates [60, 80, and 100% from gross irrigation requirements (IRg)] were examined. The farm irrigation rate was used as an irrigation control. Also, different rates of either Iron (Fe) or Manganese (Mn) (100, 200, and 300 ppm) in addition to farm fertilization as control were investigated in combination with irrigation rates. The response of plants to irrigation and micronutrients were recorded as growth and oil yield parameters. Results proved that plants irrigated with 100% of IRg and 300ppm of either Fe or Mn were superior compared with untreated plants (regular farm irrigation rate and fertilization). The vegetative growth characteristics were improved as a result of 100% of IRg and 300ppm of either Fe or Mn compared with the control. Also, volatile oil yield and components were enhanced at the same treatments. While the highest percentage of volatile oil was obtained at 60% of IRg in combination with 300ppm of either Fe or Mn. The results reflect the Fe and Mn roles in the activation of the enzymes, which may help plants to overcome the deficiency of water in the newly reclaimed land.

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