2021, Vol. 9, Issue 2, Part B

author(s)
Daly George, Sindhu PV and Meera V Menon

abstract
Two separate field experiments, one under 50 % shade and another under open condition was conducted at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur during 2019-20 and 2020-21 to find out the effect of harvesting time and height of harvest on tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.). Present investigations were formulated in randomized block design (RBD) having four treatments and five replications. Treatments included, harvesting at 20 cm height above ground level at 75 and 135 DAT (T₁), harvesting at 30 cm height above ground level at 75 and 135 DAT (T₂), harvesting at 20 cm height above ground level at 90 and 150 DAT (T₃) and harvesting at 30 cm height above ground level at 90 and 150 DAT (T₄). Irrespective of growing conditions, harvesting at 20 cm height above ground at 75 and 135 DAT (T₁) and harvesting at 30 cm height above ground at 75 and 135 DAT (T₂) produced significantly higher biomass yield, essential oil yield and total chlorophyll. Among growing conditions, tulsi plants grown under 50 % shade was superior to open condition with respect to fresh biomass yield and oil yield, proving feasibility of growing tulsi as an intercrop.