This study was conducted to know the growth responses and essential oil contents of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as influenced by the different ionic strength in DFT(deep flow technique) system. Treatments of ionic strength were double, standard, one half and one quarter strength of nutrient solution recommended by David and Stewart.
There was no significant differences in the early growth responses of sweet basil as influenced by the different ionic strength, but in the later stage the growth parameters were proportional to the ionic strength of nutrient solution. In the spring season, plant height and stem diameter were higher and thicker than those of the summer season, but leaf area and number of leaf in summer season were higher in the spring season.
The different ionic strength affected to the oil contents of hydroponically grown sweet basil. In the lower ionic strength oil content per unit fresh weight was higher than that of the higher ionic strength, but the adverse tendency was obserbed in the total oil contents per plant. No significant differences between double and standard ionic strength were shown in plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and dry matter production. Chlorophyll content in leaf was lowered with decreasing ionic strength of nutrient solution.
The lowering ionic strength of nutrient solution led to the reduction in the amount of oil extracted of hydroponically grown sweet basil. Formula of nutrient solution for sweet basil recommended by David and Stewart was demonstrated that both rapid growth and higher oil content in leaf would be obtained when DFT system was used.
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