Traditional Plant Breeding in Ocimum

Ocimum spp. is an important medicinal and aromatic plant. It has many medicinal properties. It is a rich source of carbohydrates, fibers, iron, β-carotene, vitamins, phosphorous, calcium, protein, and in aromatic oils. It is also used for the treatment in stomach pain, cough and cold, diarrhea and indigestion. Asthma, ulcers, nausea, and ringworm can also be cured with Ocimum. It lowers the blood sugar level and increases lactation. CSIR-CIMAP is actively involved in genetic enhancement of the Ocimum species following with different breeding approach in view of traditional importance. At CSIR-CIMAP, available genetic stocks are seven Ocimum species—Ocimum sanctum—Krishna and Shyam tulsi, O. basilicum, O. kilimandscharicum, O. americanum, O. africanum, O. gratissimum, O. tenuiflorum, and 100 genetic stocks of O. basilicum and nine varieties, namely CIM Ayu, CIM Angana, CIM Saumya, CIM Kanchan, Vikarsudha, CIM Jyoti, CIM Sharada, CIM Surabhi, and CIM Snigdha. In future, there will be possibility to develop varieties for high oil and herb yield with high specific needs chemical like high eugenol, methyl eugenol, methyl cinnamate, geraniol, germacrene A and D, linalool, elemicin, s-elmene, (Z)-ocimine content with some other herbal products.