Two field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm of Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Egypt during the two successive seasons of 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons to study the effect of boron and some growth substances (Seaweeds extracts, amino acids and salicylic acid) either applied individually or as in their combinations on growth and oil productivity of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cv. Genovese. In this respect, the all applied treatments in general statistically and positively affected each of the studied growth parameters and the oil productivity. Application of growth substances significantly increased plant height, number of branches, fresh and dry weights, photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids), macronutrients (N, P, K) and total carbohydrates by using seaweeds extract at a rate 2 ml/L or amino acids at a rate of 1g/L at the two cuts in both seasons. Also, all concentrations of boron significantly improved all the aforementioned parameters, especially by using the high rates. Additionally, all the combinations between growth substances and levels of boron concentrations improved all the studied parameters, particularly using the combinations of seaweeds extract at a rate of 2 ml/L and boron at 100 ppm at the two cuts in both seasons. Moreover, the combined treatments of 1g/l amino acids and boron (100 ppm) induced high significant increments in this concern in the two seasons. Also, essential oil percentage in leaves gave the maximum values when plants treated with the combined treatments of seaweeds extract (2ml/L) or amino acids (1g/L) and boron (100ppm) compared with untreated plants. The volatile oil composition of basil produced 10 compounds were identified; the main component was the linalool (57.41 to 62.72 %). Thereby, the abovementioned results strongly admit the use of those combinations treatment of seaweeds extract 2ml/L) or amino acids (1g/L) and boron (100ppm) for improving the growth, oil productivity and essential oil composition of basil plant. |
