Morpho-biological features of holy basil in greenhouse conditions

Relevance. Exotic plants have valuable phytotherapeutic and decorative properties for creating phytocompositions to improve the psycho-emotional state, saturate the air with phytoncides and suppress pathogenic microflora. Among them, representatives of the Lamiaceae family are popular, many of which are able to successfully develop in dim lighting. The aim of the study is primary introduction studies of plants of two morphotypes of sacred basil in the conditions of the VILAR greenhouse complex. Materials and Methods. The objects of the study were two morphotypes of sacred basil - Rama tulsi (with green leaves) and Krishna tulsi (with leaves and stems having anthocyanin coloration). Vegetation experiments were carried out in greenhouses of the greenhouse complex of the Botanical Garden. Phenological observations of plants in the experiment were carried out according to the methods adopted for medicinal plants. In the work, a digital luxmeter (illumination meter) TEKHMETR DL1, an electronic hygrometer for determining the level of soil moisture and a hygrometer-weather station room thermometer for measuring humidity and temperature ULBI H1 were used. Preparation of preparations and anatomical analysis were carried out according to the methods for light microscopy. Results. An earlier transition to the generative period of ontogenesis was noted in plants of the Rama Tulsi morphotype: the beginning of budding at the end of the third decade of May, mass budding – in the first ten days of June. Mass flowering was observed in mid-June, and the beginning of seed maturation – in the first ten days of August. The period from emergence to the end of fruiting was 220 ± 11 days. In plants of the Krishna tulsi morphotype, the main phenological phases began 20-25 days later. Flowering continued until the end of September, while seed maturation began at the end of the third decade of August and lasted until the beginning of November. The period from emergence to the end of fruiting was 250 ± 15 days. A brief biometric characteristic of their development in dynamics, from emergence to fruiting, is given. Plants of the Krishna Tulsi morphotypes are characterized by more intensive growth, and the Rama Tulsi morphotypes plants have significantly larger leaves. The seed productivity of plants and seed germination of up to 57% was determined. New information on the microstructure of the leaf plate epidermis was obtained, which will allow us to expand the biological and morphological characteristics of these tropical plants in protected soil conditions.