Morphological and biochemical responses of selected <i>Ocimum</i> species under drought

Summary Introduction: Drought stress is known to change biochemical activities resulting in altered plant growth and development. Objective: Due the shortage of research evidence a certain taxa basil, it imperative examine relationship between drought morphological changes as well essential oil accumulation. Methods: An open field experiment was conducted 2020 determine effects on responses selected Ocimum species. Five basil species, namely O. basilicum ‘Genovese’, ‘Ohre’, × africanum , americanum selloi sanctum ‘Krishna’ were grown under irrigated (control) non-irrigated (drought treatment) plots with two block replications. Results: The result showed that irrigation had positive effect production. Consequently, fresh dry biomass yields higher by 39% 33%, respectively. No significant detected treatments oils (EO) yield EO composition major compounds. However, slight increase camphor ( ), nerol trans- β -caryophyllene ‘Krishna’) ratios observed treatments. On other hand, increased content, polyphenol antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, 1,8-cineole eugenol ‘Krishna’). There only content stress, which not comparable reduction recorded. Morphological variations also among Accordingly, (616.33 g/plant) (3.72 ml/100 g) species obtained from ‘Genovese’ Conclusion: Irrigation for maximizing tested