Purpose: This research study aimed to develop chemical and granular organic fertilizers with hormone mixed formula (HO) and examine its effect on growth, productivity and active principles of hoary basil (Ocimum americanum L.) and the effect of HO fertilizer on soil properties.
Method: Experiments were conducted in an RCBD with 6 treatments 4 replications on 1.2x4 m plots with 32 seedlings on each. The soil properties before and after experiments, growth rate, yield and active principles were analyzed by ANOVA, and compared by a DMRT method at the reliability of 95%. The experiments were conducted between September 2020 and September 2021.
Results and Conclusion: The results showed that the HO fertilizers (T4, T5 and T6) improved organic matter, the soil pH, bulk density, soil porosity and water holding capacity. The HO fertilizers also significantly increased secondary and micronutrients. The plants with the HO fertilizers, especially with T6 and T5, showed the highest growth in terms of height, stem size, number of branches and canopy size, with statistically significant differences compared to the other treatments. In terms of yield productivity, T6 had the highest yield (3,192.7), followed by T2 (2,920.5), T5 (2,728.8), T4 (2,667.7), T3(1,952.1) and T1(1,735.8 kg/rai.). According to the active principle analysis, eugenol and methyl eugenol were found highest under T6 (HO-3). As for the net profit in hoary basil production, T6 showed the highest profit of 94,965 baht/rai.
Implications of the Research: It was concluded that the HO fertilizers, as environmentally friendly fertilizing options, could sustainably improve soil quality and HO-3, in particular, has proved to be suitable for hoary basil production to provide high quality, safe products for both domestic and international markets.
Originality/Value: This study highlights the effectiveness of HO fertilizers on increasing yields, yield component and active principles of hoary basil.