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The effect of photoperiodism on the growth and the essential oil ofOcimum basilicum (Sweet Basil)

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Abstract

Ocimum basilicum var.citriodora plants were grown in July and August under 9 hours of daylight, outdoors, plus 0 to 15 hours of fluorescent light (125 fc), indoors. The overground portion of the plants was harvested when they were in bloom and subjected to Clevenger distillation. The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Flower development was most rapid when the plants were exposed to 18 hours of light daily. The greatest yield in herb was obtained under 24 hours of light; for photoperiods of 15 to 18 hours the yield was slightly lower, but the plants reached harvesting state 10 days earlier. The oil was resolved in 19 components, 8 of which were identified. The percentage of each of these components was affected differently by the photoperiods used in this experiment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Thessaloniki, Greece

    Byron Skrubis

  2. Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, Michigan

    Pericles Markakis

Authors
  1. Byron Skrubis
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  2. Pericles Markakis
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This manuscript was assigned Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Article No. 7098.

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Skrubis, B., Markakis, P. The effect of photoperiodism on the growth and the essential oil ofOcimum basilicum (Sweet Basil). Econ Bot 30, 389–393 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02904661

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02904661

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