The present study was carried out durin\) the two successive seasons of 1998
and 1999. to investigate the response of basil (Ocimum basilicum L., cv. Grand Vert)
plants to different levels of NPK fertilization (using a fertilizer mixture with a ratio of
5:2:2, applied at 600,800, 1000 or 1200 kglfedJseason), or organic fertilization using
poultry manure (PM) at rates of 12, 18, 24 or 30 m³lfed.lsesson, cattle manure (eM)
or horse manure (HM), each at rates of 24,36,48 or 60 mJ/fed.lseason. The results
showed that although all the applied treatments improved the growth and yield
parameters of basil, poultry manura (PM) at 24 m³/feddan proved to be the best
treatment In increasing the fresh and dry herb yields per plant. as well as the oil
percentage and oil yield per plant. The different fertilization treatments increased the
content of linalool in the essential oil (with NPK at 800 kgtfed. giving the highest
values, followed by PM at12 m³/fed.), but decreased the camphor content, compared
to the control. Also, the different fertilization treatments tended to increase the
contents of total carbohydrates, N, P, and K in the herb. but deaeaSed the Fe, Mn
and Zn contents. The second cut gave the highest oil yield compared with both the 1"
and 'f'tl cuts. This was due to the higher herb yield rather than the oil percentage, that
was highest in the 3'd cut.