Application of combined fertilizers to improve growth, yield and essential oil composition of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

   Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a vital aromatic crop widely utilized in culinary and fragrance industries. The present study was conducted to implement a two-year field experiment (2019 and 2020) aimed to assess the impact of various fertilizers on the growth, yield, and essential oil composition of basil cultivated in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. The fertilizer treatments included: no fertilizer (control), chemical fertilizer (NPK at 90-120-90 kg/ha), cow manure, chicken manure, and a combination of chemical fertilizer, cow manure, and chicken manure. The application of fertilizers resulted in significant improvements across various parameters compared to the control group. Basil plants treated with fertilizers exhibited increased height, la teral stem count, fresh and dry yields, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, essential oil yield, and essential oil content. The essential oil extracted from basil contained notable volatile compounds, with methyl chavicol, linalool, β-elemene, and epi-α-cadinol identified as the major constituents. The proportions of these compounds varied among the fertilizer treatments. Notably, the combined fertilization approach involving chemical fertilizers, cow manure, and chicken manure emerged as the most effective and significant in promoting basil growth and essential oil production. These findings not only contribute to the optimization of basil cultivation practices but also provide insights for the agricultural community, emphasizing the importance of balanced fertilization for maximizing the quality and yield of basil essential oil in the Vietnamese context.

1. Adams R.P. Identification of essential oil components by gas chromatography/quadrupole mass spectrometry. 4^th ed. Carol Stream, IL: Allured Publishing Corporation; 2007.

2. Adugna G. A review on impact of compost on soil properties, water use and crop productivity. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research. 2016;4(3):93-104. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329655248_A_review_on_impact_of_compost_on_soil_properties_water_use_and_crop_productivity

3. Alizadeh A., Khoshkhui M., Javidnia K., Firuzi O., Tafazoli E., Khalighi A. Effects of fertilizer on yield, essential oil composition, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in Satureja hortensis L. (Lamiaceae) cultivated in Iran. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 2010;4(1):33-40. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237827825_Effects_of_fertilizer_on_yield_essential_oil_composition_total_phenolic_content_and_antioxidant_activity_in_Satureja_hortensis_L_Lamiaceae_cultivated_in_Iran

4. Anwar M., Patra D.D., Chand S., Alpesh K., Naqvi A.A., Khanuja S.P.S. Effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer on growth, herb and oil yield, nutrient accumulation, and oil quality of French basil. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 2005;36(13-14):1737-1746. DOI: 10.1081/CSS-200062434

5. Baligar V.C., Fageria N.K., He Z.L. Nutrient use efficiency in plants. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 2001;32(7-8):921-950. DOI: 10.1081/CSS-100104098

6. Bistgani Z.E., Siadat S.A., Bakhshandeh A., Pirbalouti A.G., Hashemi M., Maggi F. et al. Application of combined fertilizers improves biomass, essential oil yield, aroma profile, and antioxidant properties of Thymus daenensis Celak. Industrial Crops and Products. 2018;121:434-440. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.05.048

7. Da Cunha Honorato A., Maciel J.F.A., de Assis R.M.A., Nohara G.A., de Carvalho A.A., Pinto J.E.B.P. et al. Combining green manure and cattle manure to improve biomass, essential oil, and thymol production in Thymus vulgaris L. Industrial Crops and Products. 2022;187(Pt B):115469. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.115469

8. Dhama K., Sharun K., Gugjoo M.B., Tiwari R., Alagawany M., Iqbal Yatoo M. et al. A comprehensive review on chemical profile and pharmacological activities of Ocimum basilicum. Food Reviews International. 2023;39(1):119-147. DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2021.1900230

9. Fageria N.K., Moreira A. Chapter four – The role of mineral nutrition on root growth of crop plants. Advances in Agronomy. 2011;110:251-331. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-385531-2.00004-9

10. Fattahi S., Khodabakhshzade A., Khazaei I., Rostami G. Effects of biofertilizers on the growth, physiological parameters, and essential oil content of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Journal of BioScience and Biotechnology. 2019;8(1):59-67.

11. Filip S. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) a source of valuable phytonutrients. International Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics. 2017;3:118. DOI: 10.15344/2456-8171/2017/118

12. Giang T.V., Chac L.D., Chinh H.V., Thinh B.B. Essential oil from the stems of Croton kongensis Gagnep.: chemical composition, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 2023;26(4):1018-1031. DOI: 10.1080/0972060X.2023.2256791

13. Hamedi B., Pirbalouti A.G., Rajabzadeh F. Manures, vermicompost, and chemical fertilizer impacts on the yield and volatile compounds of the damask rose (Rosa da mascena Mill.) flower petals. Industrial Crops and Products. 2022;187(Pt B):115470. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.115470

14. Kathirvel P. Chemical composition of essential oil of Ocimum basilicum L.(Basil) and its biological activities – An overview. Journal of Critical Reviews. 2016;3(3):56-62.

15. Keshavarz H., Modarres-Sanavy S.A.M., Mahdipour Afra M. Orga nic and chemical fertilizer affected yield and essential oil of two mint species. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 2018;21(6):1674-1681. DOI: 10.1080/0972060X.2018.1497545

16. Le T.T., Le T.V., Doan H.T., Nguyen K.N. Physiological and biochemical changes during the growth of custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) fruit cultivated in Vietnam. Journal of Horticultural Research. 2021;29(2):75-84. DOI: 10.2478/johr-2021-0021

17. Leghari S.J., Wahocho N.A., Laghari G.M., Laghari A.H., Bhabhan G.M., Talpur K.H, et al. Role of nitrogen for plant growth and development: a review. Advances in Environmental Biology. 2016;10(9):209-218.

18. Li Y., Kong D., Fu Y., Sussman M.R., Wu H. The effect of developmental and environmental factors on secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2020;148:80-89. DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.01.006

19. Newell-McGloughlin M. Nutritionally improved agricultural crops. Plant Physiology. 2008;147(3):939-953. DOI: 10.1104/pp.108.121947

20. NIST. Mass Spectral Library (NIST/EPA/NIH). Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology; 2018.

21. Omidbaigi R., Hassani A., Sefidkon F. Essential oil content and composition of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) at different irrigation regimes. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 2003;6(2):104-108. DOI: 10.1080/0972-060X.2003.10643335

22. Pandey V., Patel A., Patra D.D. Integrated nutrient regimes ameliorate crop productivity, nutritive value, antioxidant activity and volatiles in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Industrial Crops and Products. 2016;87:124-131. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.04.035

23. Pandey V., Patra D.D. Crop productivity, aroma profile and antioxidant activity in Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér. under integrated supply of various organic and chemical fertilizers. Industrial Crops and Products. 2015;67:257-263. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2015.01.042

24. Roy R.N., Finck A., Blair G.J., Tandon H.L.S. Plant nutrition for food security. A guide for integrated nutrient management. Rome: FAO; 2006. Available from: https://www.asean-agrifood.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/FAO-plant-nutrition-for-food-security.pdf [accessed Dec. 06, 2023].

25. Said-Al Ahl H.A.H., Ayad H.S., Hendawy S.F. Effect of potassium humate and nitrogen fertilizer on herb and essential oil of oregano under different irrigation intervals. Journal of Applied Sciences. 2009;2(3):319-323.

26. Sajjadi S.E. Analysis of the essential oils of two cultivated Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) from Iran. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2006;14(3):128-130.

27. Shahrajabian M.H., Sun W., Cheng Q. Chemical components and pharmacological benefits of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): a review. International Journal of Food Properties. 2020;23(1):1961-1970. DOI: 10.1080/10942912.2020.1828456

28. Sharma A. A review on the effect of organic and chemical fertilizers on plants. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology. 2017;5(2):677-680.

29. Siddique M.N.A. Determination of N mineralization, total N and cation exchange capacity of soil through NIR spectroscopy for decision support in rice farming. International Journal of Business, Management and Social Research.2015;1(1):47-50.

30. Singh T.B., Ali A., Prasad M., Yadav A., Shrivastav P., Goyal D. et al. Role of organic fertilizers in improving soil fertility. In: M. Naeem, A.A. Ansari, S.S. Gill (eds). Contaminants in Agriculture: Sources, Impacts and Management. Cham: Springer; 2020. p.61-77. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-41552-5_3

31. Stanojevic L.P., Marjanovic-Balaban Z.R., Kalaba V.D., Stanojevic J.S., Cvetkovic D.J., Cakic M.D. Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) essential oil. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. 2017;20(6):1557-1569. DOI: 10.1080/0972060X.2017.1401963

32. Teliban G.C., Stoleru V., Burducea M., Lobiuc A., Munteanu N., Popa L.D. et al. Biochemical, physiological and yield characteristics of red basil as affected by cultivar and fertilization. Agriculture. 2020;10(2):48. DOI: 10.3390/agriculture10020048

33. Thin D.B., Korneeva A.A., Thinh B.B., Ogunwande I.A. Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oil and methanol extract from the stems of Dasymaschalon rostratum Merr. & Chun. Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry. 2023;49(4):815-822. DOI: 10.1134/S1068162023040209

34. Verma B.C., Pramanik P., Bhaduri D. Organic fertilizers for sustainable soil and environmental management. In: R.S. Meena (ed.). Nutrient Dynamics for Sustainable Crop Production. Singapore: Springer; 2020. p.289-313. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8660-2_10

35. Wen B., Li C., Fu X., Li D., Li L., Chen X. et al. Effects of nitrate deficiency on nitrate assimilation and chlorophyll synthesis of detached apple leaves. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2019;142:363-371. DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.07.007

36. Yang L., Li J., Xiao Y., Zhou G. Application of combined fertilizers improves biomass, essential oil yield, chemical compositions, and ferulic acid content of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. Pakistan Journal of Botany. 2022;54(2):569-575. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367872373_Application_of_combined_fertilizers_improves_biomass_essential_oil_yield_chemical_compositions_and_ferulic_acid_content_of_Angelica_sinensis_Oliv_Diels