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- Title
The effect of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) on soil organic matter biodegradation and other soil chemical properties
- Authors
Chouliaras, Nikolaos; Gravanis, Fotios; Vasilakoglou, Ioannis; Gougoulias, Nikolaos; Vagelas, Ioannis; Kapotis, Thomas; Wogiatzi, Eleni
- Abstract
The effects of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) on soil organic matter biodegradation, nutritional mineral elements and bacterial colonies were studied in the laboratory. The air‐dried basil plant tissues incorporated at five different rates (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 g per 50 g of soil) resulted in increases in organic carbon mineralization, mineral nitrogen forms in organic phosphorus and available potassium. The level of available forms of manganese and zinc was increased at all the rates of added basil whereas copper was increased at the two upper rates. Also, the addition of basil resulted in a decrease in soil bacterial colonies. The results of this study indicated that the basil could be used as a cover crop for suppressing weed or pathogens in organic soils, with a positive effect on soil productivity. In addition, the incorporation of basil in soil could reduce the number of bacterial colonies. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
- Publication
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2007, Vol 87, Issue 13, p2416
- ISSN
0022-5142
- DOI
10.1002/jsfa.2907