Technology for improving essential oil yield of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) by application of bioinoculant colonized seeds under organic field conditions

Two year field studies indicated that seed treatment of Ocimum basilicum var. CIM-Saumya with efficient bioinoculants (Pseudomonas monteilii – strain CRC1, Cronobacter dublinensis – strain CRC3 and Bacillus spp. – strain AZHGF1) can significantly improve the essential oil yield (45–56%); maximum essential oil yield was observed in plants inoculated with P. monteilii (56%) followed by C. dublinensis (49%) and Bacillus spp. (45%). The content of essential oil was also significantly improved (15%) when inoculated with P. monteilii compared to un-inoculated control. The higher concentrations of linalool (40.40%) and β-caryophyllene (14.15%) were observed in the plants inoculated with P. monteilii. P. monteilii also produced maximum biomass yield; an increase of about 55% followed by C. dublinensis (42%) and Bacillus spp. (30%). To the best of our knowledge this might be an exclusive report suggesting the use of bioinoculants for higher yields and disease management for organic growers of sweet basil.

► Basil seeds treated with bioinoculants significantly improved the germination rate.
► Significantly higher biomass yields were observed in plants treated with bioinoculants.
► Maximum essential oil yield was observed with P. monteilii (strain CRC1).
► Oil quality (linalool and caryophyllene) improved considerably with P. monteilii.
► Disease incidence was noticeably decreased with bioinoculants under organic field conditions.