Produção de biomassa e óleo essencial de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum L.) em diferentes épocas, ambientes de cultivo e tipos de adubação

Abstract

Basil is mostly grown, in Brazil, by small farmers to sell the leaves. Climate factors play an important role on the development of medicinal, aromatic and condiment plants and on the production of active ingredients. This study analyzed the production of biomass and essential oil of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown in different seasons, growth environments and fertilizations in Uberlândia, MG. Two experiments were done, the first one from September to October 2008 (season 1) and the second one from February to May 2009 (season 2). The experimental design was completely randomized, as a 2 x 2 factorial, two growth environments (protected environment and field) and two fertilization types (mineral and organic), and five repetitions. The planting space was 60 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants. Harvest was done on November 19 2008 and on May 20 2009.The variables analyzed were plant height, leaf length and width, fresh and dry matter mass, essential oil yield and composition. Plant height was greater on season 2, with average of 58.3 cm comparing the two seasons and growth environments. Significant interaction was found between season and growth environment for the variables plant height, fresh leaf mass and essential oil yield of dry leaves. Basil grown in the months of February to May 2009, in protected environment, favored culture development, production and essential oil yield.