VARIETAL RESPONSE OF SWEET BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM L.) TO SOWING TIME AND TRANSPLANTING DATE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE

Abstract

Aromatic and spicy herbs are becoming increasingly common in the human diet. Along with their high nutritional value, many of these crops are successfully used in both official and traditional medicine. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the best-known aromatic and medicinal plants, characterized by a wide range of applications; however, it still occupies relatively small cultivation areas. The main reason for this is the insufficient study of the key elements of cultivation technology under specific soil and climatic conditions. The choice of variety is a crucial factor in increasing yield. High productivity and quality of produce, as well as resistance to diseases and pests, are essential technological traits of a variety, which are best expressed under optimal growing conditions – when biological needs are harmonized with local environmental and technological factors. The research article focuses on studying the effect of certain technological factors on the growth, development, and productivity of sweet basil grown in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Three basil varieties – Marian, Philosopher, and Kira – were selected for study. Different transplanting dates were tested: the third decade of April, and the first, second, and third decades of May. Seedlings were transplanted at plant densities of 3, 4, and 5 plants per linear meter of row. A second experiment examined direct seeding of Marian and Philosopher varieties at three sowing times: the third decade of April, and the first and second decades of May. The results of observations and yield assessments revealed that the studied basil varieties responded differently to the timing of transplanting. For the Marian variety, the best result was obtained with transplanting in the first decade of May (43.5% leaf yield), while for Kira, the most favorable time was the third decade of April, yielding 52.8% leaves. For direct seeding, the optimal sowing period for both varieties was the first decade of May. The highest average leaf yield over three years of research (15.4 t/ha) was recorded for the Kira variety under the transplanting method, with planting in the third decade of April. It was established that growing basil through seedlings allows for an earlier harvest, while the total seasonal leaf yield obtained from direct seeding does not significantly differ from that of the transplanting method.