Breeding for new chemotypes with stable high essential oil yield in Ocimum

The investigation was carried out to determine the stability and adaptability among 40 genetic stocks of basil belonging to six Ocimum species assembled from India and abroad for high oil yield by using AMMI analysis. Some new specific chemotypes were identified: one each high oil content (1.00%), oil yield 92.43 g/plot with high citral 76.62% (geranial = 46.59 + neral 30.03 = 76.62%) chemotype G 26; an ever green, cold tolerant with spreading habit recombinant developed between Ocimum basilicum and O. kilimandscharicum - G 34; one high linalool content in oil G 39 and two high oil (1.2%), 105.92 g/plot, 0.95% oil content and 95.20 g/plot oil yield with methyl chavicol chemotypes - G 14 (methyl chavicol = 55.00%), G 25 (methyl chavicol = 89.75%). Based on the AMMI model, these chemotypes showed the widest adaptability and stability due to its ability to tolerate wide environmental conditions over years.