Genetics and plant breeding

Ocimum tenuiflorum l.(Tulsi)

Submitted by :
Makwana Bhaumik D.
BSc Agri
Holy basil (tulsi)
 Tulsi , Tulasi or Vrinda (Holy Basil) is a sacred plant
in Hindu belief.
 Hindus regard it as an earthly manifestation of the
goddess Tulsi;
 she is regarded as the avatar of Lakshmi, and thus the
consort of the god Vishnu.
 In some legends, she is called Vrinda and distinct
from Lakshmi.
 In the story, she married Jalandhara.
 The offering of its leaves is mandatory in ritualistic
worship of Vishnu and his avatars
like Krishna and Vithoba.
 Many Hindus have tulsi plants growing in front of or
near their home, often in special pots or a special
masonry structure known as Tulsi Vrindavan as this is
related to their culture.
 Traditionally, Tulsi is planted in the center of the
central courtyard of Hindu houses. 
 The plant is cultivated for religious purposes, and for
its essential oil.
Scientific name : ocimum tenuiflorum l.
family : lamiaceae
• Sanskrit name : Tulasi , English name : Holy basil , Also
known as and tulsi maa.
•  Flowering plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae) grown for
its aromatic leaves. 
• Holy basil is native to the Indian subcontinent and grows
throughout Southeast Asia.
• The holy basil plant is a small annual or short-
lived perennial shrub, up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in height. The
stems are hairy and bear simple toothed or entire leaves
oppositely along the stem. The presence of a holy basil plant
is believed to increase piety, foster meditation, purify, and
protect.
• The largest tulsi tree in the world, it is in the Karnataka
Biligirangana Betta in India
Stem
• It is an annual plant, 30-60cm high,
much branched; stem and branches
usually purplish, sub-quadrangular;
2.5-5 by 1.6-3.2cm. eliiptic oblong
obtuse, pubescent on both sides and
minutely gland-dotted. Flowers in
racemes.

• It's hairy stems sprout oval leaves

with serrated edges, and depending
on the variety, range in color from
light green to dark purple.
 Roots

Close view of root

• The root system of tulsi is tap root.

• One can interpret this because tulsi is a
dicot plant. All dicot plants have tap roots.
 Leaf :-
oval-shaped with a slightly sharp tip, and the edges are
slightly toothed.
• Leaves with blades elliptic to elliptic-oblong,
3–6 cm long, 1–2.5 cm wide, cuneate to
The leaves are 1-2 attenuate at base, obtuse to acute at apex, entire
inches long, oval to remotely serrate at margins, pubescent on
and pointed. both surfaces but especially on the nerves
beneath; petioles 1–2.5 cm long, softly
pubescent
• When freshly picked, the aromatic leaves hold
a spicy, peppery bite and a delicious
combination of basil and mint flavours.
• leaf extract is effective as a mosquito repellent
and in checking the spread of the fungal
pathogens Pyricularia oryzae and Rhizoctonia
solani, which cause blast disease and sheath
blight disease of rice, with antibacterial activity
and deterrent effects against the larvae of root
knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) also
reported (Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, 2014).
 Leaf
Cochlochila bullita (insect )

 Leaf drying and marginal leaf rolling due to C.

bullita infestation on camphor tulsi
• The leaves are 1-2 inches long, oval and
pointed.
• This means that the veins on the leaves form a
net-like pattern. The centre of most reticulate
venation leaves has a central vein running the
New leaves emerge with shade of length of the leaf. This is called the mid-rib
translucent green and from here, smaller veins branch out,
forming a complicated network of webs .
 Flowers :
• The tulsi plant blooms erect purple or reddish
flowers and produces tiny rust-colored fruit.
Peduncle
 The structure shape and fertility status of
the flower clearly revealed that it has bee
pollinated flowers and melittophily (by bee)
pollination syndrome existed in tulsi.
 The purplish flowers are placed in close
whorls on elongated racemes .
The crop is harvested at full bloom stage.
The first harvest is obtained at 90-95 days of
planting.
Then it may be harvested every 65-
75 days interval.
Florets Harvesting is done usually on bright
Stamens (4)
sunny days for good oil yield and its quality.
Some close view of flower
and their floral biology
 Seed :
Seeds will germinate about 3 weeks after planting.
• Sow seeds outdoors in late spring or early summer,
when the temperature range around 60-70 degrees F
(15-21 C). For an earlier start in spring, sow the seeds
indoors in a greenhouse or on a warm, sunny
windowsill.
• Place the tulsi seeds on top of the soil, and tamp them
for good soil to seed contact, cover the seeds with
barely 1/4 inch layer of compost or soil. Mist the
seeds with sprayer and place them where they receive
warmth, bright shade, and some part morning sun.
Keep the soil constantly moist until the germination
occurs, which will take around 1-2 weeks.
• When the seedlings have grown two or three sets of
true leaves, transplant them carefully in individual
containers or outdoors, taking care not to disturb the
roots.
• Note: As holy basil is a warm climate herb, you can
sow its seeds year-round in tropical areas except peak
summer.
 Beneficial compounds :
Tulsi essential oil consists
mostly of eugenol (70%)
β-elemene (11.0%),
β-caryophyllene (8%), and
germacrene (2%), with the
balance being made up of
various trace compounds,
mostly terpenes.
• Tulsi contains a number of beneficial compounds including:
• Eugenol: a terpene with pain-relieving properties, also
found in clove oil
• Ursolic and rosmarinic acid: compounds with antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties
• Apigenin: a flavonoid that helps the body removes waste at
the cellular level
• Lutein: an antioxidant carotenoid important for eye health
• Ocimumosides A and B: compounds that reduce stress and
balances the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine
• In alternative medicine, tulsi is typically used for anxiety,
stress, and fatigue, and may be used in herbal formulations
to help treat asthma, bronchitis, colds, and the flu.
• A 2002 study on mice suggests that treatment with tulsi
may provide protection against mercury-induced toxicity,
which known to damage the central nervous system,
endocrine system, kidneys, and other organs.
Medicinal uses :
• Blood purifier
• Preventive against makaria & dengue
fever
• Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold & flu.
• Chewing 12 leaves of basil, twice a day
prevent stress.
• The leaves are a never tonic & also
sharpen memory.
• Decocation of leaves + honey + ginger =
effective remedy for bronchitis , asthama
, cough and cold.
• Juice of basil leaves + honey (if taken
regulerly for 6 months) = expel renal
stone via the urinary tract
 How to Start Tulsi Farming ?
• Land Preparation : For Tulsi plantation, it requires well-drained soil. To bring soil to
fine tilth, plough and harrow land several times, then FYM is mixed well in soil.
Transplantation of Tulsi is done on fine seedbed.
• Sowing : Prepare nursery beds in the third week of February.
• Spacing : Depending upon its growth habit, prepare seed beds of 4.5 x 1.0 x 0.2m size.
Seeds should be sown at a distance of  60 cm by 60 cm.
• Sowing Depth : Seeds are sown at depth of 2cm.
• Method of Sowing : Crop is transplanted in field, 6-7 week after sowing.
• Seed : For Tulsi plantation use seed rate of 120 grams per acre.
• Seed treatment : To protect crop from soil borne disease and pests, before sowing treat
seeds with Mancozeb@5gm/kg of seeds.
• Nutrient requirement : At the time of land preparation, apply FYM i.e. farmyard
manure and mix well with soil. Apply fertilizer dose in the form of Nitrogen@48kg and
Potash@24kg and Phosphorus@24kg/acre in form of Urea@104kg, MOP@40kg and
SSP@150kg/acre.
 Pest and disease
• It is generally free from pests and diseases. However, when grown in poor conditions, it
can be attacked by some common pests like mealy bugs, aphids, spider mites, and
sometimes whiteflies. For treating pests, use organic pesticide or insecticidal soap
Pest and their control:
• Leaf rollers: - Caterpillars feed themselves on leaves, buds and crops. They seal the
surface of leaves and make them roll or fold.
To control leaf roller, spray with 300ml Quinalphos in 150 ltr water per acre.
• Tulsi lace wing: - Nymphs feed on leaves and leave excreta which is are not good for
leaves. In initial stages leaves get curls and then whole plant gets dried. 
To control lace wings, spray with Azadirachtin 10,000 ppm conc.@5ml/Ltr of water.
Disease and their control:
• Powdery Mildew: - Fungus that produces powder on leaves and affects wide range of
plant. 
To get rid of this disease, spray with mancozeb@4gm/ltr of water 
• Seedling blight: It is a fungal infection that causes seed or seedling to die.
 Harvesting :
• Harvesting : Plants start yielding by 3 months after transplantation.
Harvesting is done when there is full blooming period. For further
regeneration of branches cutting should be done when plant is at least 15
cm above the ground.  Leaves are used fresh or it is sun dried for future
use.
• Post-Harvest : After harvesting, drying of leaves is done. Then steam
distillation is done to obtain Basil oil. For transportation it is packed in
airtight bags. Leaves should be stored in dry places. From herb several
products like Panch Tulsi oil, Tulsi Ginger, Tulsi Powder, Tulsi Tea and
Tulsi Capsules are made after processing.
 Is tulsi an adaptogen?

• Tulsi is considered an adaptogenic herb, plants that help to

adapt the body to stress and boost energy. It is often found in
preparations that contain other adaptogens, such as
ashwagandha, astragalus root, Siberian ginseng, and turmeric,
that work synergistically to provide optimal benefits.

Thank you