First Cultivation Trials of Lemon Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. citriodorum) in Turkey

Abstract

Lemon basil is grown as a culinary herb, used fresh and dried in floral arrangements, and potpourris. In this research we studied essential oil component and herb and oil yields of commercial lemon basil grown in Mediterranean region of Turkey. Lemon basil were cultivated under Çukurova conditions in Turkey, and could be harvested 3 times at the full-flowering. In our conditions, harvest number increased four providing that earlier sowing is performed. Total fresh leaf yield and total dried leaf yield were 2760 kg/da and 571.52 kg/da, respectively. Essential oil components in leaves and flowers were analyzed by GC. The maximum essential oil yield (0.71 %) was obtained at the I. harvest time from the dried flowers. Main component of essential oil was citral. The maximum citral (neral+geraniol) content (89.28 %) was determined at the II harvest time.