Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), essential oil with high linalool content, is appreciated in the international market and widely used in spice and cosmetics industries. There are few informations available for basil cultivation, and therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the content, yield and quality of the essential oil of basil genotypes depending on organic fertilizer levels in the winter and using irrigation. The experiment was carried out in the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Five fertilizer levels were evaluated: 2; 4; 6; 8 and 10 kg of chicken manure per m². A completely randomized blocks design in factorial scheme was used with four replications. Two basil genotypes were sown: PI 197442-S3 (G1) and NSL 6421-S3 (G2). Hydrodistillation with a modified Clevenger was realized for essential oil extraction. We evaluated the plant height; length and width of leaves; length/width relation (C/L); content and yield of essential oil; and linalool content in the essential oil extracted from fresh and dry leaves and flowers. The chicken manure levels had significantly influenced the linalool content in the distilled essential oil from fresh and dry leaves and flowers of both genotypes. The other variables did not present significant difference.
Ocimum basilicum; aromatic plant; organic fertilizer
