Impact of effective microorganisms on yields and nutrition of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and microbiological properties of the substrate

The objective of the performed investigations was to assess the effect of application of effective microorganisms (EM), employed in the form of substrate inoculant (I), seed inoculation (II) and foliar application in the form of a spraying solution (III), on growth, development and macroelement uptake as well as microbiological properties of the root zone in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivated in a peat substrate. The application of effective microorganisms for sweet basil cultivation resulted in the inhibition of plant growth dynamics, among other things, reduction of plant height and fresh mass. A significantly higher macro-element content was observed for the application of EMs in form I – on the improvement of plant nutrition with nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) and in the form III – on the improvement of plant nutrition with nitrogen (N). The application of the EM inoculum was found to reduce the total number of bacteria, numbers of fungi, copiotrophs and oligotrophs. Recapitulating, it can be concluded that the application of EMs for a short cultivation period of spice plants in pots fails to yield any positive effects in the form of improved yield.   Key words: Chlorophyll content, macroelements, nutrient content, soil microbiology, spice plants.