The present study on out planting performance of Ocimum basilicum in field plantation was undertaken to optimize the spacing required for achieving maximum yield and essential oil. Seeds collected locally were sown in a broadcast manner and transplanted later at seedling stage at different spacing viz., S1 (10 cm × 10 cm), S2 (10 cm × 20 cm), S3 (10 cm × 30 cm) and S4 (10 cm × 40 cm). Seeds were sown in well prepared nursery beds in March, 2018. Germination started from 6th days of sowing and was completed within 15 days. All the germinated seeds survived in open nursery beds during the first growing season. Growth parameters like plant height, No. of leaves per plant, leaf fresh weight g/plant, leaf dry weight g/plant, above ground biomass g/plant, below ground biomass g/plant and total biomass g/plant showed an increasing trend with the decrease in spacing. Among the four spacing the maximum total biomass (27.76 g/plant) was registered in spacing S1 (10 cm × 10 cm) and minimum (14.10 g/plant) was recorded at the higher spacing S4 (10 cm × 40 cm). Maximum average seed oil (0.0105 ml/plant) and herbage oil (0.532 ml/plant) was recorded in the spacing S1 (10 cm × 10 cm).

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