Effect of dry yeast and compost tea on growth and oil content of Borago officinalis plant.

The effect of various concentration of dry yeast and compost tea on growth, yield and oil composition (sap.and unsap. matter) of borage plants was studied in field experiments during two successive seasons. In both seasons, the results pointed out that 20L./ fed. (feddan=4200 m2) of compost tea significantly increased plant height, fresh and dry weight of aerial parts and flowers and number of branches and suckers, Adding dry yeast at the rate of 6 g/L. was the most effective on growth parameters and oil%. In the scale of interaction, the maximum mean values of most characters have been recorded with 4g/L. of dry yeast + 20 L./ fed. of compost tea. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the unsap (hydrocarbons and sterols) were done. Campersterol was found to be the major sterol followed by stigmasterol (cholesterol inhibitors). Highly record of Gamma Linolenic acid (the precursor of prostaglandin E1) was in plants treated with 20L./fed. of compost tea.