Production of Ocimum basilicum L. (Basil) cuttings on organic substrates

Introduction: Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) has great potential for use in the chemical, pharmacological, food and cosmetic industries. Production of cuttings is one of the most important stages in the propagation process. Objective: Evaluate the use of worm humus combined with cured bovine manure in the production of O. basilicum cuttings. Methods: A randomized experimental study was conducted with four replicates. The treatments were based on seven substrates: commercially available peat and six compounds combining bovine manure and worm humus: T1 - commercial substrate (CS); T2 - 50 % CS + 25 % cured bovine manure (CBM) + 25% worm humus (WH); T3 - 25% CS + 50% CBM + 25 % WH; T4 - 25 % CS + 25 % CBM + 50 % WH; T5 - 50 % CBM + 50 % WH; T6 - 100 % WH; T7 - 100 % CBM. Evaluation was performed of rooting rates, length of roots and of the aerial part of the plant, stem diameter, dry mass of the aerial part and the roots, and Dickson quality index. Results: The treatments did not have a significant impact on the percentage of rooted cuttings. Treatment with cured bovine manure displayed the highest mean values of plant height, stem diameter and dry mass of the aerial part. The commercially available peat substrate had a higher Dickson quality index, followed by treatment with 50 % commercial substrate + 25 % cured bovine manure. Conclusion: Cured bovine manure fosters vegetative growth, whereas addition of 25 % cured manure and 25 % worm humus to the commercial substrate improves the quality of cuttings.