Overview of cultivation techniques for the medicinal plant,  holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.)

Date Received: 06-11-2025

Date Accepted: 04-01-2026

Date Published: 28-03-2026

##submissions.doi##: https://doi.org/10.31817/tckhnnvn.2026.24.3.12

Views

3

Downloads

2

How to Cite:

Hoan, L., Khiem, N., & Chanh, N. (2026). Overview of cultivation techniques for the medicinal plant,  holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.). Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 24(3), 411–420. https://doi.org/10.31817/tckhnnvn.2026.24.3.12

Overview of cultivation techniques for the medicinal plant,  holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.)

Luong Thi Hoan , Nguyen Van Khiem 1 , Nguyen Dang Minh Chanh (*)

  • Tác giả liên hệ: [email protected]
  • 1 Trung tâm Nghiên cứu Trồng và Chế biến cây thuốc Hà Nội

    • Keywords

    Ocimum tenuiflorum, cultivation techniques, planting season, planting density, fertilization

    Abstract


    Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) is a medicinal plant of high economic and pharmacological value, widely used in traditional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. With the increasing demand for raw materials, research and application of appropriate cultivation techniques to enhance yield and essential oil content are essential. This paper reviewed and analyzed studies on cultivation practices for O. tenuiflorum, including planting season, spacing density, fertilizer application rates, and irrigation management. Based on the assessment of the practical applicability of each technique, suitable cultivation approaches were proposed for the ecological and production conditions in Vietnam, contributing to cost optimization and improved production efficiency. This review provides a scientific basis for further studies to determine the optimal ratio of organic and inorganic fertilizers, as well as to evaluate the effects of fertilizer regimes and planting density on essential oil composition and the environmental sustainability of  O. tenuiflorum cultivation.

    References

    Bhattarai K., Bhattarai R., Pandey R., Paudel B. & Bhattarai H.D. (2024). A comprehensive review of the phytochemical constituents and bioactivities of Ocimum tenuiflorum. The Scientific World Journal. p. 8895039.

    Đỗ Tất Lợi (2004). Những cây thuốc và vị thuốc Việt Nam. Nhà xuất bản Y học, Hà Nội. Gurav T.P., Dholakia B.B. & Giri A.P. (2022). A glance at the chemodiversity of Ocimum species: Trends, implications, and strategies for the quality and yield improvement of essential oil. Phytochemistry Reviews. 21: 879-913.

    Ha Thi Quyen, Chu Thi Thu Ha, Vu Thi Nghiem, Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, Do Tien Phat, Chu Duc Ha, Hoang Lan Phuong, Phi Lam Ngoc Uyen & Setzer WN. (2024). Changes in composition, yield, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the Ocimum tenuiflorum L. essential oils as affected by fertilizers. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca. 52(3): 13895. Ibrahim M.E., Mohamed M.A. & Wahba H.E. (2016). Introduction of Ocimum tenuiflorum plant to the Egyptian cultivation. International Journal of PharmTech Research. 9: 18-24. Jamwal S., Kumari A., Veeragurunathan V., Prasad K., Ghosh A. & Kumar R. (2025). Enhancing growth, yield, essential oil content, and composition of holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) using red algae-based biostimulant under acidic conditions of the Western Himalayas. BMC Plant Biology. 25: 84. Kalita B.P., Gogoi P.K., Sarma A., Barua I.C. & Neog B. (2018). Effect of integrated nutrient management and different plant spacing on Tulsi. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences. 7(2): 1352-1361. Kumar A., Rahal A., Chakraborty S., Tiwari R., Latheef S. & Dhama K. (2013). Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi): A miracle herb and boon to medical science-a review. International Journal of Agronomy and Plant Production. 4: 1580-1589.

    Lương Thị Hoan (2020). Tuyển chọn và nhân giống hương nhu tía (Ocimum tenuiflorum) nâng cao năng suất và hàm lượng tinh dầu. Báo cáo tổng kết đề tài cơ sở 2018-2020. Viện Dược liệu.

    Lương Thị Hoan (2023). Nghiên cứu xây dựng quy trình sản xuất hạt giống hương nhu tía (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) đã chọn lọc. Báo cáo tổng kết đề tài cơ sở 2021-2023. Viện Dược liệu.

    Lương Thị Hoan, Hoàng Như Nụ & Nguyễn Đăng Minh Chánh (2019). Nghiên cứu khả năng nhân giống hương nhu tía bằng hạt. Tạp chí Khoa học Công nghệ Nông nghiệp Việt Nam. 1(98): 64-69. Mounika Y., Rao D.A.V.D., Reddy K.V.P., Suneetha S. & Umakrishna K. (2021). Effect of spacing and planting season on growth and leaf yield of sacred basil (Ocimum sanctum). The Pharma Innovation Journal. 10(8): 552-556. Mukta G., Bhupinder K., Reena G. & Naresh S. (2021). Plants and phytochemicals for treatment of peptic ulcer: An overview. South African Journal of Botany. 138: 105-114. Mulugeta S.M. & Radácsi P. (2022). Influence of drought stress on growth and essential oil yield of Ocimum species. Horticulturae. 8(2): 175. Mulugeta S.M., Hunegnaw A.T., Hári K. & Radácsi P. (2025). Biomass production and volatile oil accumulation of Ocimum species subjected to drought stress. Horticulturae. 11(10): 1266. Naizi S., Sulaiman F.M., Sadat I.M., Saleh G. & Nakasha J.J. (2022). The effects of different rates of nitrogen fertilizer and shade on physiological characteristics and yield of basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). Annals of Agri-Bio Research. 27(1): 50-55. Neeti N. (2013). Study on in vitro propagation of Ocimum tenuiflorum L. and testing of clone fidelity of microplantlets. Dissertation for the degree of Master of Science, Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, Thapar University, India.

    Nguyen Dang Minh Chanh, Luong Thi Hoan & Jung W.J. (2022). Effects of accession and spacing on the essential oil yield and yield components of holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). Research on Crops. 23: 220-228. Panita C., Hathairut J., Akira T., Siripar K., Kanokwan R., Theerayut T., Clive T.D., Praderm W., Atikorn P., Wilailak K., Anyamanee A., Kriengkrai M. & Preuk C. (2022). Physiological responses and variation in secondary metabolite content among Thai holy basil cultivars (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) grown under controlled environmental conditions in a plant factory. Plant Physiology Reports. 13: 1-19. Paudel P.N., Satyal P., Setzer W.N., Awale S., Watanabe S., Maneenet J., Satyal R., Acharya A., Shrestha A. & Gyawali R. (2025). Seasonal variation in essential oil composition and bioactivity of three Ocimum species from Nepal. Molecules. 30: 3581. Pooja M.R., Hiremath J.S., Sadashiv N., Mahantesh P.S., Nishchitha M. & Lokesh C.H. (2018). Influence of inorganic fertilizer and spacing on yield and quality of sacred basil (Ocimum sanctum Linn.). Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. pp. 5-8. Prihatiningrum A.E., Abror M. & Arifin S. (2023). Enhancement of growth and yield of basil (Ocimum sanctum L.) plants using fermented goat manure fertilizer. Academia Open. 8(2): 10.21070/acopen.8.2023.6658. Rahimi M., Mortazavi M., Mianabadi A. & Debnath S. (2023). Evaluation of basil (Ocimum basilicum) accessions under different drought conditions based on yield and physio-biochemical traits. BMC Plant Biology. 23: 523. Raina N.S., Rafiq M., Sood K.K., Bali A.S., Gupta S.K. & Sehgal S. (2013). Growth and yield of Ocimum sanctum in response to integrated nutrient management and plant spacing. Indian Journal of Agronomy. 58(1): 129-132. Saha S., Dey T., Adhikari S., Mokhopadhyay S., Senguta C. & Ghosh P. (2016). Effects of plant growth regulators on efficient plant regeneration and genetic stability analysis from two Ocimum tenuiflorum L. morphotypes. Rendiconti Fisiche Accademia dei Lincei. 27: 609-628. Shinde V. & Dhale D.A. (2011). Antifungal properties of extracts of Ocimum tenuiflorum and Datura stramonium against some vegetable pathogenic fungi. Journal of Phytology. 3(12): 41-44. Sims C.A., Juliani H.R., Mentreddy R. & Simon J.E. (2014). Essential oils in holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) as influenced by planting dates and harvest times in North Alabama. Journal of Medicinally Active Plants. 2(3): 32-41. DOI: 10.7275/R5P26W1X. Singh D. & Chaudhuri P.K. (2018). A review on phytochemical and pharmacological properties of holy basil (Ocimum sanctum L.). Industrial Crops and Products. 118: 367-382. Smitha G.R., Varghese S.T. & Manivel P. (2014). Cultivation of Ocimum. ICAR-directorate of medicinal and aromatic plants research, Boriavi, Anand-387310, Gujarat: 7-16. Wiset L., Poomsa-ad N., Jindamol H., Thongtip A., Mosaleeyanon K., Toojinda T., Darwell C.T., Saputro T.B. & Chutimanukul P. (2023). Quality and bioactive compound accumulation in two holy basil cultivars as affected by microwave-assisted hot air drying at an industrial scale. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 7: 1219540.