Effects of Biodynamic Production on Growth and Essential Oil Content in Basil
*Dudaš, S., Poljuha, D., Šola, I., Šegula, S., Varga, S., & Sladonja, B. (2016). Acta Botanica Croatica. ISSN (Online) 0365-0588, DOI: 10.1515/botcro-2016-0025, May 2016.
“The effects of a biodynamic sowing calendar on the growth (plant height, fresh herb yield, nodes number) and quality (percentage of leaf mass, essential oil content) of 3 basil species … were tested.” The experiment was conducted on an open area and in a plastic tunnel by the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism in Poreč (Croatia). “Statistical analyses showed that the species had greater impact on the observed parameters than either the sowing date.” However “three parameters - plant height, percentage of leaf mass and essential oil content - were also significantly affected by the sowing date and the interaction between species/cultivars and sowing date”…
Abstract – The effects of a biodynamic sowing calendar on the growth (plant height, fresh herb yield, nodes number) and quality (percentage of leaf mass, essential oil content) of 3 basil species, Ocimum americanum L., Ocimum × hybrida and Ocimum basilicum L., represented by the cultivars ‘Rosso’ and ‘Eco Genovese’, were tested. Statistical analyses showed that the species had greater impact on the observed parameters than either the sowing date or the species and sowing date in combination. The species showed a significant influence on all five tested parameters, while sowing date and interaction of both factors significantly influenced plant height, leaf percentage and essential oil content. The best yield per plant was obtained for O. × hybrida and O. basilicum ‘Eco Genovese’. The lowest species O. × hybrida produced the highest amount of essential oil. “Nodes number” parameter most clearly separated the species, but not the cultivars. Even though O. americanum gave the tallest plants, it did not yield either the highest amount of fresh herb or essential oil. This species’ height was most consistent, considering the significant impact of biodynamic rhythm. Sowing date was not crucial for basil fresh yield; however if there is a need for taller plants with a higher percentage of leaf mass and more essential oil, sowing date needs to be controlled.
Key words: biodynamic production, essential oil, Ocimum americanum L., Ocimum basilicum ‘Eco Genovese’, Ocimum basilicum ‘Rosso’, Ocimum × hybrida, sowing calendar