Dear Sir
Crop is propagated through seeds by raising nursery. About 125 g viable seeds are required for one hectare (1000 seed weigh a little over 1 g).
The seed germination starts 3 days after sowing and is practically over in about 10 days. The seedlings are ready for planting after 4 - 6 weeks of sowing.
Cultivation
The land is prepared to good tilth by ploughing, harrowing and levelling. 10 tonnes of well rotten FYM, 100 kg DAP and 100 kg muriate of potash per hectare are applied in the of basal dose.
The seedlings are planted at a spacing of 60 cm between the rows and 40 cm between the plants in April - May or August - September.
The field is irrigated on alternate days until plants establish, thereafter the crop is irrigated at 5 - 7 day intervals during non-rainy periods.
Interculture - Fertilizers
The field is kept free of weeds during the initial stages of crop growth and after first harvest by manual weedings.
The crop is fertilized thrice with 50 kg urea per hecater each time. First time of transplanting, then one and two months after transplating. 25 - 50 kg zinc sulphate per hectare is applied in zinc deficient soils.
Micronutrients and growth regulators are sprayed for every harvest.
Plant protection
Blight of basil caused by Alternaria sp. affects the aerial part of the plant when the leaves turn purple and finally black.
Spraying of rop with 0.05 % Dithane Z-78 or Dithane M-45 once or two times controls the blight effectively. The crop[ is also affected by leaf rollers casuing severe damage to the crop which can be controlled by spraying with Malathion or Thiodan diluted with water as required.
Harvesting - Profits
Flowering herb is harvested 75 - 90 days after transplating and two months thereafter. Considering two harvests, a yield of 35 - 40 kg oil and a net profit of Rs. 10000 - 12000 per hectare may be obtained with an oil price of Rs. 500 per kg.
