Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Foliar Spraying of Iron and Zinc on Growth, Yield and Chemical Composition of Basil (Ocimum basilicum Var. Genovase) Plant

Abstract

This study was carried out to study the effects of nitrogen fertilization and foliar applications of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) on Ocimum basilicum var. genovase plant. Field experiment was conducted during two successive seasons of 2016 and 2017 at ElMaghara
Research Station Desert Research Center, North Sinai Governorate. The experiment was arranged as completely randomized design
with 7 treatments and three replications. Fe and Zn treatments in single and double combinations plus N fertilization at two levels (150 and 200 kg ammonium nitrate/fed/season), In addition to the control (75 kg ammonium nitrate (33.5 % N)/fed/season). The results revealed that, in the first cut, the plant height, number of branches/plant, fresh and dry weights/plant and fresh and dry yields of
herb/fed, volatile oil (percentage and L /fed), nitrogen, phosphorus and total carbohydrates contents were significantly increased by using 200 kg ammonium nitrate/fed/season + Fe and Zn as a foliar spray (0.5 g/l) (N2FZ) followed by 150 kg ammonium nitrate/fed/season + Fe and Zn as a foliar spray (0.5 g/l) (N1FZ) compared with other treatments. Meanwhile, in the second cut treating the basil plants with 200 kg ammonium nitrate/fed/season + Fe and Zn as a foliar spray (0.5 g/l) (N2FZ) caused a significant increment in the same parameters. This treatment (N2FZ) caused the highest volatile oil percentage and oil yield/fed (L), especially in the second cuts in both seasons. The main components of the resulting volatile oil from this treatment were Linalool (44.01%), 1,8Cineole (17.99%), αBergamoten (5.12%), αCadinol (5.07%), Bornyl acetate (4.43%), γMuurolene (3.15%) and Eugenol (0.43%). While. the highest content of αCadinol (6.28%) and Bornyl acetate (6.06%) resulted from adding 150 kg ammonium nitrate + Fe and Zn as a foliar spray treatment.