Effect of teak (Tectona grandis L)-Ocimum spp-based silvi-medicinal systems on growth and physiological parameters of Ocimum spp

To investigate the effect of teak + Ocimum spp silvi-medicinal systems on growth and physiology of Ocimum spp, Ocimum tenuiflorum, O gratissimum and O basilicum were cultivated under 18 year-old teak (Tectona grandis)-based silvi-medicinal and sole cropping systems. All the Ocimum species showed better growth under sole cropping as compared to silvi-medicinal system. Superior plant height (0.69 m), maximum number of branches (12.30), leaves per plant (139.18) and largest plant spread (0.22 m) were recorded in O tenuiflorum. The specific leaf weight was maximum (2.71 mg/cm2) under sole cropping whereas chlorophyll content index (15.53) and leaf nitrogen (1.83%) were higher under silvi-medicinal system. Amongst Ocimum spp the maximum leaf area (15.69 cm2/leaf), specific leaf weight (2.76 mg/cm2), chlorophyll content index (19.84) and leaf nitrogen content (2.07%) were recorded in O tenuiflorum. Growth and physiological attributes of O gratissimum were better under teak-based silvi-medicinal system hence this species was proved as better intercrop to be grown with teak.