This research was carried out at the Field Crops Department of Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Ankara in order to investigate essential oil composition of Ocimum basilicum with respect to three different plant densities (30×20cm, 40×20cm, 50×20cm). Field
experiment was established in 2008 and three cuttings were obtained during vegetation
period. Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from basil herb and oils were
analyzed by GC-MS. Cutting times were performed in 23 July, in 26 August, in 6 October,
respectively. Linalool was determined as a main component that changed between 56.70–70.31%
in the first cutting, 57.91–64.08% in the second cutting, 49.56–64.77% in the third
cutting. Linalool content decreased regularly from first cutting to third cutting,
whereas it increased by decreasing the plant density. The other important components
were identified as γ-cadinene (7.75%), β-cubebene (3.97%), α-bergamotene (3.14%) in
the first cutting; γ-cadinene (7.23%), α-bergamotene (4.93%), eucalyptol (3.22%) in
the second cutting; γ-cadinene (9.34%), α-bergamotene (5.88%), α-amorphene (3.89%)
in the third cutting. γ-cadinene was found as the second important compound in all
cuttings. Average essential oil ratio was recorded as 0.58% (in first cutting), 0.53%
(in second cutting) and 0.21% (in third cutting). In all cuttings, the lowest essential
oil ratio was obtained in 30×20cm of plant density. The highest essential oil percentage
was recorded in first cutting, while the lowest ratio was determined in third cutting.
