Growth and nutritional qualities of three ocimum species as affected by methods of propagation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ocimum species are well known for their medicinal values and this has increased demand from individuals and the pharmaceutical industry. In order to meet the demand for this plant species three different Ocimum species (Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum americanum) were propagated by two methods (stem cutting and seed) and their morphometric characteristics were evaluated after six and eight weeks. The chlorophyll content, proximate composition and phytochemical content of the plants were determined. The results obtained showed that the stem cutting propagated Ocimum species performed better than the seed propagated species. The results also revealed that there was a strong correlation between plant height and other morphometric characters. Also, it was discovered that the Ocimum species propagated by seed contained more phytochemicals than those propagated by stem cutting. However, gratissimum species propagated by stem cutting appeared to perform better than two other Ocimum species in terms of plant height, leaf number, stem girth and number of branches.