Essential oil content and composition of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) at different irrigation regimes

The essential oil content and chemical composition of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) was determined at different irrigation regimes (100%, 85%, 70% and 55% of field capacity). The essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation of herb, and was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The essential oil content of herb increased from 1.12 to 1.26% as plant water deficit increased (till 70% of field capacity). The number of component of the oil of Ocimum basilicum increased as water stress increase. Amount of the main constituents of the oil such as linalool, methyl chavicol, 1,8–cineole and trans α-bergamotene significantly affected by water stress.