Influence of Different Doses of Vermicompost on Growth of Herb Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu

 

A Ranganadha Reddy^1*, R. Bharath Kumar¹, M. Deepthi¹, KP Sastry²

¹School of Biotechnology, Vignan University, Guntur 522213, Andhra Pradesh, India

²Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India

 

ABSTRACT:

Experimental studies were conducted to study the influence of various inorganic and organic components (nutrients) with different combinations of vermicompost concentrations against the species of Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu at CIMAP, Research Centre, and Hyderabad during October 2010 to May, 2011. These studies were focus on the integrated nutrient management for production of higher herb in the species Ocimum tenuiflorum variety CIM-AYU. In the first phase experimental studies - six different levels of vermicompost (0- 3.0 tons/ha) were applied and the observations were made against the with application of 3.0 tons of vermicompost per hectare resulted in better growth in Ocimum tenuiflorum variety CIM-AYU. Similarly a significant improvement in the number of leaves per plant was noticed due to vermicompost application. The considerable amount of increase in plant weight was noticed due to application of three tons of vermicompost per hectare/s. Naturally occurring organic biofertilizer vermicompost contains 1.5 – 2.5 % Nitrogen, 0.9 – 1.7 % Phosphorus,1.5 – 2.4 % Potash, 0.5 – 1.0 % Calcium, 0.2 – 0.3 % Magnesium, 0.4 - 0.5 % Sulphur.

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Ocimum tenuiflorum (Krishna Tulasi) belonging to the family Lamiaceae (labiate)[1] is a medicinal[2] and aromatic crop that is thought to have originated in north central India and now grows native throughout the eastern world tropics, which yields essential oil and aroma chemicals and find diverse uses in the perfumery and cosmetic industries as well as in indigenous systems of medicine.[3][4] Out of 160 species of Ocimum, recorded in India, Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn is cultivated in India on a commercial scale. It is grown in various parts of the country viz. in west Bengal,Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,Jammu, Assam etc.[5] Essential oil of Ocimum tenuiflorum contained higher amount of linalool (39.39-55.26%) and moderate amounts of methyl chavicol (0-6.66%), nerol (0.48-8.0%), geraniol (0.26-1.75%) and citral (4.26-6.79%).[6]

 

Recent analysis of the chemical constituents in the essential oils of Ocimum tenuiflorum revealed the presence of α-humulene (0.71%), germacrene D (2.11-4.91%), β-elemene (1.59-6.35%), methyl eugenol (36.47-76.27%) and β-caryophyllene (8.71-56.63%).[7] The essential oils, mainly used in food industries, perfumery, and also possess anti-bacterial and insecticidal properties. It inhibits the in vitro growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Micrococcus pyrogenes variety aureus. It has marked insecticidal activity against mosquitoes. Vermi compost improve herbs quality foliage yield, essential oil content, and oil yield Vermi compost contains Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, Sulphur and Magnesium Conserved Nutrients from Nature. Vermicompost is the product obtained by composting organic residues using earth worms.[8] Earth worms like Edudrilus eugeniae, Eistenia fetida and Perionyx erxcauatus have been identified as the organisms to process the biodegradable organic material.[9] The chemical composition of basil oil is reported as -pinene 0.1-0.4%, camphene 0.02-0.1%, ßpinene 0.07-0.8%, myrcene 0.12-0.8%, limonene 2.0-9.3%, cis-ocimene 0.1-0.6%, p-cymene 0.05-0.15%,cis-3-hexenol 0.02-0.08%, fenchyl acetate 0.1-0.5%,camphor 0.37-0.75%, linalool 40-54%, fenchyl alcohol 2-9%, methyl chavicol 23-26%, -terpineol 0.8-1.9%, citronellol 0.65-3.7%, geraniol 0.03-0.30%,methyl cinnamate 0.05-0.34% and eugenol 5-12%.[10][11][12]

 

Exp-I: “Influence of different levels of Vermicompost on Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu”

Table-1: Vermicompost applications at Different levels   

 

Table-2: Table shows the replication of treatments with Vermicompost (VC: Vermicompost, NPK: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium,T: treatment, R: replication)

 

Table 3: Collection of fresh plant samples at regular intervals after plantation.

 

Plantation:

Nursery:  Fully grown seedlings of size 4-6” were planted in field as per the lay out plan.

Treatment imposition: The crop was planted on 17.08.2010 to 20.08.10. Vermicompost and NPK as per treatments were applied 10 days after planting. 

 

Maintenance:

The crop was kept weed free and regularly irrigated

 

Observations recorded

Observations on Herb:

Observations were taken at different intervals starting from 10 days after vermicompost application.  In each treatment five plants were removed at random from the plants and washed under tap water. The plants were partitioned   in to lamina, petiole and stem. Fresh and dry weights of individual components were taken separately. Later observations were recorded. Details about the observations recorded are presented here; The details are presented here ;( See Table no.3).

 

Height of plant (cm):

The height of the regular plants was measured from the base of the plant and expressed as average in centimeters.

 

 

Number of leaves/plant:

The leaves were separated from the stem. The number of fresh and entire leaves were recorded and expressed as average.

 

Weight of leaves (gms):

Five plants from each treatment were selected randomly. After cleaning, the plants were separated in to leaves, stems and roots. The weight of the leaves of each plant was taken by using electronic balance and it is expressed as average.

 

Weight of stem (gms):

Five plants from each treatment were selected randomly. After cleaning, the plants were separated in to leaves, stems and roots. The weight of the stem of each plant was taken by using electronic balance and it is expressed as average

 

Fresh weight of plant (gms):

Five plants from each treatment were selected randomly.  The fresh weight of the plant of each plant was taken by using electronic balance and it is expressed as average.

 

Dry weight of leaves (gms):

The separated leaves from Six plants were dried in oven at 60 ⁰ c till constant weight and the dry weight was recorded.

 

Dry weight of Stem (gms):

The separated leaves from Six plants were dried in oven at 60°C till constant weight and the dry weight was recorded.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Experimental studies with application of Vermicompost – observations and results

Morphological Characters:

The Plant height was not influenced by treatments at different stages (Table-4 and Figure-1).A highly significant increased in plant weight was noticed due to application of three tons of vermicompost per hectare (table-5 and Figure-2). Similarly, a significant improvement in the number of leaves per plant was noticed due to vermicompost application (table-6 and  Figure-3).  Similar improvement were noticed in case of the height of the plant(cm), plant weight(gms),number of leaves, stem weight(gms), leaf weight(gms),leaf dry weight(gms), stem dry weight(gms), leaf area(sq.cms) and leaf dry weight (table 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 and 11 and Figure-1,2,3,4 and 5).

 

Plant Height (cms):

The results pertaining to the plant height as influenced by different treatments during the experimental period is presented in Table-4.

 

Table-4: Vermicompost Effect on the plant height (cm) at different stages.

Days after planting I-30 days, II-60 days, III-90 days, IV-120 days

NS: Not significant* Significant at P=0.05

 

Figure-1: Vermicompost Effect on the plant height (cm) in the Ocimum tenuiflorum    var. CIM-Ayu at different days after planting.

 

Plant height increased with time and also with increase in vermicompost application corresponding to three tons of vermicompost/ha.(See Table-4 and Figure-1)

 

Plant Weight (gm):

The results pertaining to the plant weight (g/plant) influenced by different treatments during the experimental period is presented in Table-5.

Table-5: Vermicompost Effect on the plant weight (g/plant) at different stages.

Days after planting I-30 days, II-60 days, III-90 days, IV-120 days

NS: Not significant        * Significant at P=0.05

 

Figure-2: Vermicompost Effect on the plant weight (gms) in the Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu at different days after planting

 

Plant weight increased with time and also with increase in vermicompost application corresponding to three tons of vermicompost/ha. (See Table-5 and Figure-2)

 

 

Number of Leaves:

The results pertaining to the number of leaves /plant as influenced by different treatments during the experimental period is presented in Table-6.

Table-6: Vermicompost Effect on the number of leaves/plant at different stages.

Days after planting I-30 days, II-60 days, III-90 days, IV-120 days

NS: Not significant* Significant at P=0.05

 

Figure-3: Vermicompost Effect on the number of leaves in the Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu at different days after planting.

 

A significant improvement in the number of leaves of plant was noticed up to treatment T₄ at all stages of observation. Increase in number of leaves indicates increase in photo synthetically active leaf area and increase in biomass production. (See Table-6 and Figure-3)

Stem weight (gm):

The results pertaining to the stem weight (gm) as influenced by different treatments during the experimental period is presented in Table-7.

 

Table-7: Vermicompost Effect on the Stem Weight (g/plant) at different stages

Days after planting I-30 days, II-60 days, III-90 days, IV-120 days

NS: Not significant        * Significant at P=0.05

 

 

Figure-4: Vermicompost Effect on the stem weight (gms) in the Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu at different days after planting.

 

Vermicompost application significantly increased the stem weight with increase in vermicompost dosage level up to three tons/ha. (See Table-7 and Figure-4).

 

Leaf Weight (gm)

The results pertaining to the leaf weight as influenced by different treatments during the experimental period is presented in Table-8.

 

Table-8: Vermicompost Effect on the leaf weight (g) / plant at different stages.

Days after planting I-30 days, II-60 days, III-90 days, IV-120 days

NS: Not significant       * Significant at P=0.05

 

Figure-5: Vermicompost   Effect on the leaf weight (gms) in the Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu at different days after planting.

Vermicompost application significantly increased the leaf weight with increase in vermicompost dosage level up to three tons/ha.(See Table-08 and Figure-5)

 

Leaf Dry Weight (gm):

The results pertaining to the leaf dry weight as influenced by different treatments during the experimental period is presented in Table-9.

Table-9: Vermicompost Effect on the leaf dry weight (g) at different stages.

Days after planting I-30 days, II-60 days, III-90 days, IV-120 days

NS: Not significant        * Significant at P=0.05

 

Dry weight of the leaves was increased with vermicompost application up to a level of 3 tons per hectare. (See Table-09)

 

 

Stem Dry Weight (gm):

The results pertaining to the leaf dry weight as influenced by different treatments during the experimental period is presented in Table-10.

Table-10: Vermicompost Effect on the stem dry weight (g) at different stages.

Days after planting I-30 days, II-60 days, III-90 days, IV-120 days

NS: Not significant        * Significant at P=0.05

 

Dry weight of the stem was increased with vermicompost application up to a level of 3 tons per hectare. (See Table-10)

 

 

Leaf Area (sq.cm):

The results pertaining to the leaf area as influenced by different treatments during the experimental period is presented in Table-11.

Table-11: Vermicompost Effect on the leaf area (sq.cm) at different stages.

Days after planting I-30 days, II-60 days, III-90 days, IV-120 days

NS: Not significant        * Significant at P=0.05

 

Area of the leaf was calculated by Systronics leaf area meter machine using the 20 sq.cm plate and the values were recorded. Area of the leaf was increased with the vermicompost application up to a level of 3 tons per hectare. (See Table-11)

 

RESULT:

A highly significant increase in plant weight was noticed due to application of three tons of vermicompost per hectare. Similarly a significant improvement in the number of leaves per plant was noticed due to vermicompost application. Similar improvement was noticed in the case of stem weight, leaf weight, Leaf dry weight, stem dry weight and leaf area. Application of 100% vermicompost resulted in significant improvement in the plant height. Similarly a significant improvement in the plant weight number of leaves per plant, stem weight, leave weight, leave dry weight, and stem dry weight were noticed due to 100% vermicompost application.

 

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5.       Sobti SN. and Pushpangadan P. Studies in the Genus Ocimum : to genetics, Breeding and Production of New Strains of economic Importance, in CK. Atal and BM Kapur (eds), Cultivation and Utilization of Aromatic Plants. RRL, CSIR, Jammu-Tawi, 1982: 457-472.

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9.       Patil, S.L and Sheelavantar M.N. Effect of moisture conservation practices, organic sources and nitrogen levels on yield, water use and root development of rabi sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] in the vertisols of semiarid tropics. Annals of Agricultural Research., 21(21); 2000 :32–36.

10.     Kumar, A., Sharma, A. and Virmani, O. P. Cultivation and utilization of rose geranium: A review. Cur. Res. Med. Arom. Plants., 7(3); 1985:137-147.

11.     A. Ranganadha Reddy, R. Bharath Kumar, T. C. Venkateswarulu, M. Indira, D. Ramyakrishna, M. Deepthi, K. P. Sastry Experimental studies on Influence of different doses of Vermicompost on essential oil yield of Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2016; 9(12):1451-1457

12.     A. Ranganadha Reddy, R. Bharath Kumar, Dr.V.Ravi Kumar, M. Deepthi, T. Naga Lohita, M. Sriharsha, K.P. Sastry Experimental Studies on effect of Vermicompost and NPK on Essential oil yield of Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2015; 8(11):1519-1525

 

 

 

 

 

 

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