Influence of nitrogen and sulphur nutrition on growth and yield of clove basil (Ocimum gratissimum L.)

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research Station, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during the kharif season of two consecutive years i.e., 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. In both the years, six weeks old seedlings were transplanted into 3m×3m plots at a spacing of 45×45 cm. The experiment was conducted with three levels of Nitrogen (100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) and three levels of Sulphur (60, 120 and 180 kg/ha) in Randomised Block Design with factorial concept replicated thrice. Application of Nitrogen, and Sulphur significantly influenced the growth and yield of clove basil. Among the different nitrogen levels, application of 200 kg N ha- observed maximum fresh herbage yield per plot (16.28 kg), dry herbage yield per plot (5.80 kg), fresh herbage yield per hectare (18.64 t), dry herbage yield per hectare (5.95 t) and oil yield (6.43 ml kg-1 ). Among the different sulphur levels, application of 60 kg S ha- observed maximum fresh herbage yield per plot ( 13.52 Kg), dry herbage yield per plot (5.16 kg), fresh herbage yield per hectare (18.50 t), dry herbage yield per hectare (5.77 t) and oil yield (5.94 ml kg-1). Among the interactions, N200S60 (200 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg S ha-1)) gives maximum fresh herbage yield per plot (19.00 kg), dry herb yield per plot (6.13 kgs) fresh herbage yield per hectare (20.90 t), dry herbage yield per hectare (6.63 t) and oil yield (6.66 ml kg-1).From herb and oil yield maximization point of view 200 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg S ha-1 was found to be the best along with application of 70 kg P2O5 and 70 kg K2O ha-1.