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Sweet basil is very important in the culinary and pharmaceutical sectors because it contains volatile oils that have a variety of biological functions. Considering the economical costs and adverse effects of chemical fertilizers, attention has been turned to the use of ecofriendly and cost effective alternatives. In this regard, eggshells could be used as a natural calcium source for nutring the medicinal and aromatic plants. Therefore, the aim of this trial was to assess the productivity of sweet basil in response to different application methods of eggshells on sandy soil. In this study, eggshells were added to the soil at rates of 1, 2, and 3 g/pot, to foliage at rates of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g/L, and to irrigation water at rates of 1, 2, and 3 g/L; a rate of 0.5 g/pot of calcium carbonate also used as a reference. Plants exposed to eggshells at 1.5 g/L foliar spray gave the maximum values of fresh and dry weights herb (172.11 and 23.48 g/plant), carbohydrates (36.74%), crude protein (16.56%), inhibition of free radical scavenging (47.61%), total phenols (15.03 mg/g), total flavonoids (2.87 mg/g), and essential oil contents (1.18% or 27.71 g/100 plants). On the other hand, plants subjected to eggshells at 0.5 g/L foliar spray produce the highest amounts of linalool (76.34%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (83.37%). It may be concluded that the morphological and physiological characteristics of sweet basil plant may be enhanced by eggshells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold crest (Cupressus macrocarpa Hartw) and Sodom apple (Calotropis procera Aiton W.T. Aiton) essential oils have distinctive biological properties, so, they can be used in drug and food industries. Harvest seasons play basic functions in the metabolism of essential oils. Due to the evidence of previous studies reported that growing seasons lead to various diversity in the essential oils and their components which reflects on its biological effects; so, the aim of current investigation was to evaluate the essential oils isolated from gold crest and Sodom apple young shoots during winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons. Essential oils were isolated by hydro distillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Obtained results were statistically analyzed using one way analysis of variance. Results showed that Gold crest and Sodom apple essential oils production are related to harvest seasons. The maximum values of both essential oil contents were resulted from samples harvested during spring season. Neral and E-phytol were the major components of gold crest and Sodom apple essential oils, respectively. Oxygenated monoterpenes was the major fraction of gold crest essential oil, while the main fraction of Sodom apple essential oil was oxygenated diterpenes. The highest amount of neral was produced from spring samples, while summer samples resulted in the maximum value of oxygenated monoterpenes. The greatest amounts of E-phytol and oxygenated diterpenes were recorded with the samples harvested in winter season. This trial avails as indication for selecting suitable season to produce essential oil according to constituents of benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sage dry leaves are used to obtain natural raw products that are used in many purposes such as perfume, food and pharmaceutical industries. Using organic fertilizers is a way to overcome the harms of chemical fertilizers during cultivation and production of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP). Pomegranate peel (PP) considered as organic fertilizer. In this trial, the impacts of PP formulations [powder (PF), water extract (WEF) and ethanol extract (EEF)] on growth and chemical composition of sage plant were evaluated in an attempt to replace chemical fertilizers with organic wastes. Sage plants were treated with various rates of PF, WEF, EEF and control (chemical fertilizers). ANOVA-1 was used to analyze the data. 6 g/L (WEF) gave the greatest values of fresh mass (68.5 g/plant), dry mass (18 g/plant), essential oil (EO) content (1.6%, v/w) and EO yield (28.8 ml/100 plants) during the second harvest. Oxygenated monoterpenes (OM, 62.3–74.3%) was the major chemical class of EO isolated under various PP treatments; while α-thujone (27–40.2%) was the major constituent. α-thujone and OM were varied in response to various formulations and their rates. Plants treated with 6 g/L (PF) produced the greatest values of total phenols (25.7%) and inhibition of free radical scavenging (70%) at second harvest. 4 g/pot (PF) and 4 g/L (WEF) produced the ultimate rates of total carbohydrates (25.7%) during the first harvest and total flavonoids (11.2 mg/g) at the second harvests. Different variations were found in NPK values and their uptakes due to PP formulations. It may be concluded that positive effects were found in the productivity of sage in response to PP applications. • The biological characters of natural components have attracted the attention of scientists due to their many uses. • Leaves of sage use in the production of natural raw materials as a source for pharmaceutical, drug and food industries. • Chemical fertilization can lead to contamination of water, soil, air, and production of medicinal and aromatic plants. • Pomegranate peel can be used as organic fertilizer. • This research paper is an attempt to replace chemical fertilizers with organic wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]