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The prospect of replacing traditional chemical fertilization with organic and microorganism-based fertilization meets the current demand for more sustainable cropping systems and healthy food. In this respect, research was carried out to evaluate the effects of the factorial combination between four basil cultivars ('Aromat de Buzau', 'Macedon', 'Cuisoare' and 'Serafim') and three types of fertilization, namely chemical fertilization (with a solid chemical fertilizer), organic fertilization (with chicken manure formulate) and microorganisms' fertilization (with microorganisms formulate), on basil yield, biochemical and physiological parameters and essential oil composition. The results showed that the biometric parameters (plant height, number of stems and leaves and leaf area) were significantly influenced by the cultivar; 'Macedon' obtained the highest values of plant height (64.7 cm) and number of stems (20.33) and leaves (618.3) and 'Serafim' the largest leaf area (4901.7 cm2 per plant), while the type of fertilization did not affect these parameters. Regarding the biomass, the influence of the cultivar was not significant on fresh biomass but was significant on dry biomass, with 'Macedon' showing the highest value (56.4 g·plant−1 dry biomass). The mentioned parameters were significantly influenced by the type of fertilization, with the highest values recorded with chemical fertilization. Both the cultivar and the fertilization type significantly influenced the physiological parameters (the total content of assimilatory pigments and photosynthesis). Five phenolic compounds were quantified from leaf extracts by HPLC-MS (caffeic acid, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, rutin and quercitrin). Hyperoside was identified only in 'Macedon', while the rest of the compounds were found in all the cultivars and varied depending on the cultivar and fertilization type. Regarding the composition of the essential oil, variation was found depending on the cultivar and fertilization type. In 'Aromat de Buzau', the main compounds were methyl chavicol and β-linalool; in 'Macedon', geranial and neral; and in 'Cuisoare' and 'Serafim', β-linalool. Moreover, the PCA showed that the 'Serafim' cultivar has exclusive properties compared to the other cultivars. Our results highlight that identifying the most effective interaction between genotype and fertilization type allows to optimize yield and quality targets for sweet basil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of organic farming as a result of increasing consumer preference for organic food has led to the development and registration of new pest-control products for certified organic production. In this study, the effects of three biocontrol products containing spores and mycelium of Arthrobotrys oligospora—Artis®, Beauveria bassiana—Bora®, and Coniothyrium minitans—Öko-ni® were tested on four basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars: 'Aromat de Buzau', 'Serafim', 'Macedon' and 'Cuisoare'. The application of Öko-ni® increased basil yields by 8% relative to Control. The application of Bora® increased chlorophyll content of basil leaves by 2% and the activity of photosynthesis by 66% relative to the Control. Basil essential oil (EO) content was increased by 18% with the application of Artis® and by 34% with the application of Bora® and Öko-ni®, respectively. The content of phenolic compounds analyzed by HPLC varied; caffeic acid concentration was higher in the plants treated with Öko-ni®, hyperoside, isoquercitrin and rutin concentrations were higher in those treated with Artis®, while the quercitrin content was higher in Bora®-treated plants. The two main EO constituents that were identified were linalool and methyl chavicol in 'Aromat de Buzau', linalool and eugenol in 'Serafim', neral and geranial in 'Macedon', also linalool and eugenol in 'Cuisoare'. The investigated myco-biocontrol products had positive effects on basil fresh biomass and EO content and also influenced the content of phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]