EFFECT OF SALINE IRRIGATION WATER ON GROWTH, OIL YIELD AND QUALITY AND ASSOCIATED INSECTS OF SOME OCIMUM SPECIES

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Horticultural Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

2 Soil Salinity Laboratory, Alexandria, Egypt

3 Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

The effect of irrigation of some Ocimum species (0. basilicum, 0. kilimandscharicum and 0. minimum) with saline solution of 750, 1500, 2400 and 3600ppm along with control of 315ppm on its growth yield, oil composition, soil and insect attacking was studied. The results indi-cated that the high salinity levels (2400 and 3600ppm) caused signifi‌cantly reduction in fresh herb yield of all studied Ocimum species. 0. ba‌silicum could tolerate the salinity level of 750ppm. Whereas 0. kilimandscharicum and 0. minimum could tolerate the increasing salinity up to 1500ppm. Saline irrigation water had slight effect on the essential oil per‌centage in the three Ocimum species. Some of the essential oil constitu‌ents increased with increasing the salinity levels as methyl eugenol and camphor in the 0. basilicum and 0. kilimandscharicum, and linalool in all studied Ocimum species. While eugenol and alpha terpineol decreased with increasing the salinity levels. Soil analysis after the plant harvest indicated that salt content of the irrigation water had a dominant effect on soil salinity. The SAR and KAR values showed an increase with increasing salinity levels but KJ Na decreased. The white fly, aphids, jassid and mealy bugs attacked Oci‌mum species during the two experimental seasons. 0. basilicum and 0. kilimandscharicum were more susceptible to B. tabaci attacking than 0. minimum. Whereas 0. minimum was more susceptible to A. gossypii attacking than other studied Ocimum species. B. tabaci and A. gossypii populations Increased with increasing salinity levels on all the three of Ocimum species. 

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