RESPONSE OF BASIL PLANTS TO DRIP IRRIGATION RATS AND ORGANIC FERTILIZERS IN SANDY SOIL CONDITIONS

Drip irrigation rates and organic fertilizers influenced the vegetative growth and oil content of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plant cultivated in sandy soil, at the Experimental Farm of El-Quassasin Horticultural Research Station, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, during the two successive seasons of 2005 and 2006. Water irrigation amount at 5096 m³/fed./season significantly increased the vegetative growth and essential oil yield/plant and feddan as compared with other rates. The poultry manure at 20 m³/fed. produced the highest values of vegetative growth (plant height, number of branches/plant, leaves/stems ratio, fresh and dry weight of herb/plant and per cut during season and the yield of fresh and dry weight of herb/fed. in the two seasons) as compared with the NPK and organic fertilization treatments. While cattle manure at the rate of 60 m³/fed. gave the highest essential oil yield/plant and fed. Irrigated basil plants with drip irrigation system at water amount of 5096 m³/fed./season combined with 20 m³/fed. poultry manure gave the best results of vegetative growth, while plants watered 5096 m³/fed./season combined with 60 m³/fed. cattle manure resulted in the highest essential oil yield/plant and feddan when compared to other combination treatments, in both seasons.