Abstract:
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.
