International Journal of Innovative Horticulture

Three Ocimum species i.e. O. tenuiflorum, O. gratissimum and O. basilicum were cultivated under 18 year old teak based silvi-medicinal [Ocimum+teak (LU₂)] and sole cropping (LU₁) systems. Significantly higher plant height (0.68 m), above (1.96 t/ha) and below ground (0.75 t/ha) and total herb (panchang) yield (2.71 t/ha) of Ocimum species were recorded under sole cropping system as compared to teak based silvi-medicinal systems. Among intercrops, maximum plant height (0.69) was attained by O. tenuiflorum, whereas maximum total herb (panchang) yield (2.62 t/ha) was recorded for O. gratissimum. The highest net returns (Rs. 38018.60) and benefit: cost ratio (1.85) was accrued on account herb yields of O. gratissimum grown as sole crops and as intercrop under teak (Rs. 25418.60). The study underpinned that, although, the performance of Ocimum spp. was affected under teak, nonetheless, intercropping can be beneficial rather than practicing mono-cropping of teak until it has not attained merchantable size.