Experimental Studies on effect of Vermicompost and NPK on Essential oil yield of Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu

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. Ocimum tenuiflorum yields aromatic oil containing eugenol (71.3%). The effect of different doses of vermicompost and NPK on essential oil yield of Ocimum tenuiflorum var. CIM-Ayu was studied. Different doses of vermicompost and NPK was applied and during the course of investigation essential oil from the herbs collected at two different stages (i.e. at 45, 90 days after planting) and noticed that the essential oil content did not follow any particular pattern. Similarly, chemical constituents of the oil were not influenced by the treatments. It was also observed that reduction in plant height and number of tillers/clump that was manifested in reduced herb yield was compensated by a higher oil concentration in the leaves. The highest content of Eugenol was reported in addition to Methyl Eugenol, Beta Elemene and Caryophyllene.