Tulsi Farming (Ocimum Sanctum) Profitable Business With All Important Details

Hello, You are very welcome to the new blog of Rabi crops.  In this blog we are going to share all the important tips and tricks on how to do Tulsi farming as a profitable business.

We will discuss the scientific classification of Tulsi plant, distribution of Tulsi plant, types of the Tulsi plant, Tulsi medicinal uses, nursery raising, transplanting, weeding, irrigation, other uses of Tulsi, disease and pests, harvesting and yield, Distillation of Oil and many other important points of Tulsi Farming.

Tulsi Farming In Short

Tulsi Botanical Name:-	Ocimum tenuiflorum.
Tulsi Family:-	Lamiaceae.
Origin Place Of Tulsi:-	Indian subcontinent.
Soil Requirement Of Tulsi:-	Rich loam soil, PH:- 4.5 to 8.5.
Climatic Requirement Of Tulsi:-	Bright Sunny Days.
Seed requirement:-	200 to 300 grams.
Fertilizer Requirements:-	120 kg of nitrogen, 60 kg of phosphorous and 50 kg of potassium, 10 to 15 tons FYM
Propagation:-	Propagation by seeds and cutting.
Harvesting:-	1st harvesting 90 days, after that 70 to 75 days interval.
Yield:-	Tulsi Leaves Yield:-9000 to 15000 kg, Tulsi Oil Yield:-13 to 23 litres of oil.

Tulsi Farming In Details

Introduction to Tulsi Farming

The botanical name of the Tulsi is Ocimum Sanctum L. In English it is known as Sacred Basil, Holy Basil. In Sanskrit Tulsi is known as Ajaka Manjari. Tulsi is a Hindi name. In the Tamil Language it Known as Thulasi. Tulsi is a Kharif crop sowing time is mid-April to last May.

The origin of Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum L.) is in India, because of the religious importance of tulsi they grow it all over India almost in every house, it is one of the best aromatic perennial shrubs. Farmers also consider tulsi as cash crops because they earn direct profit by selling them.

Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum L.) has many medicinal values. Further, we will discuss in detail, according to scientific research, it has antiviral and antimicrobial properties that help in the purification of air in our surroundings.

We can do tulsi farming (Ocimum Sanctum farming) in all different environmental conditions and soils, even it can easily be grown at the height of 2000metre above the sea level, it shows that it is very adaptable to all different environmental conditions and soil.

Tulsi farming (Ocimum Sanctum farming) is done commercially because of its medicinal value and the essential oil extracted from the leaves of tulsi.

After checking many research papers we got to know that, the colour of essential oil in tulsi is yellow, it has antiviral and antibacterial properties as Tulsi oil contains Eugenol Methyl Ether and Carvacrol and these two chemicals gives Tulsi the antiviral, antibacterial and insecticidal properties.

One Major chemical that is found in the tulsi is eugenol methyl ether which is 72% and they used this chemical in making cosmetic products, unique perfumes, and also in pharmaceutical industries to make medicines.

Uses Of Tulsi

The quality of tulsi makes it the best medicinal plant and also the best aromatics plant because it has both properties of medicinal plant and aromatics plant.

Drugs made from tulsi are used to cure fever, stress, cold, cough, helpful for brain health and many types of diseases. We use tulsi as the primary ingredient in many Ayurvedic medicines.

Health Benefits of Tulsi

Tulsi is one of the best natural immune boosters which contains a good amount of vitamin A and Vitamin C, leaves of the tulsi contain zinc, iron and chlorophyll, which improves the immune of the body.

Beneficial for Fever, as we have previously said tulsi has antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It helps to control fever and boost the immune system to recover from it.

The third major health benefit of tulsi is it helps the human body to heal the infection. If we see the history of thousands of years, humans use tulsi to treat wounds and uncommon injuries. Because it has the property of antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal medicines.

The fourth major health benefit of tulsi is it purifies human blood. According to the literature of Ayurveda, from ancient times we use tulsi to purify the blood. It also cleans the digestive system and removes toxins from the human body.

In many research, they find tulsi has the property of controlling blood pressure. It helps the human body to control headaches, anxiety, depression and another symptom of high blood pressure.

Tulsi also helps in controlling blood sugar level. Type two diabetes comes with the symptoms like hypertension, weight gain, high cholesterol and tulsi help in controlling all these symptoms.

Types Of Tulsi

We cannot limit Tulsi to any state or any country’s border. It is cultivated and used all over the world as medicines or spices. There are 18 types of tulsi that are used all over the world.

We divided tulsi into two different types:-

Holy Basil:- we mainly found it in the Asian countries, they used it as Ayurvedic medicines and in Hindu religion tulsi is the symbol of health, prosperity, wealth; They worshipped it as a god.

Mediterranean Basil:- we mainly found these types of tulsi in European countries, African countries and also in some Asian countries. They mainly used it as spices, also used in the many types of dishes.

Names Of different tulsi:-

Holy Basil:- Mainly Found In Asian Countries.	Mediterranean Basil:- Mainly Found In European Countries.
1. Rama tulsi Botanical name is- Ocimum sanctum.	1. Sweet basil Botanical name is- Ocimum basilicum.
2. Krishna tulsi Botanical name is- Ocimum tenuiflorum.	2. Thai basil Botanical name is- Ocimum thyrsiflora.
3. Amrita tulsi Botanical name is- Ocimum tenuiflorum.	3. Purple basil Botanical name is- Ocimum basilicum.
4. Vana tulsi Botanical name is- Ocimum gratissum.	4. Lemon basil Botanical name is- Ocimum citriodorum.
	5. Vietnamese basil Botanical name is- Ocimum cinnamon.
	6. American basil Botanical name is- Ocimum americanum.
	7. African blue basil Botanical name is- Ocimum kilimands charicum.
	8. Italian genovese basil Botanical name is:- ocimum basilicum.
	9. Lettuce basil Botanical name is Ocimum basilicum.
	10. Green ruffles basil Botanical name is:- Ocimum basilicum
	11. Cardinal basil Botanical name is:- Ocimum basilicum L.
	12. Greek basil Botanical name is:- Ocimum basilicum var. minimum
	13. Spicy globe basil Botanical name is- Ocimum basilicum.
	14. Summer long basil Botanical name is- Ocimum basilicum L.

 

The most popular types of tulsi are Rama tulsi whose Botanical name is Ocimum sanctum and Krishna tulsi whose Botanical name is Ocimum tenuiflorum.

Climatic Requirement Of Tulsi Farming

We can do Tulsi farming in all different climatic conditions and environments. It can also grow in the shade condition, but oil content in the leaves will decrease.

Tulsi loves to grow in the long days high-temperature climatic conditions. In this condition, the oil content of the tulsi increases and farmers get a good profit.

High rainfall and balanced humidity also increase the oil content of the tulsi and increase the production of the tulsi.

We can do tulsi farming in both tropical and subtropical conditions. Tulsi plants can tolerate medium drought conditions and also tolerant to frost conditions.

A common query we get:- can we grow tulsi as rabi crops or not? For this, we will say it can’t grow as rabi crop because it loves to grow in high temperature. Its growth and development in long-day and short-night are more so we will suggest doing tulsi farming in Kharif season.

Soil Requirement Of Tulsi Farming

We can do tulsi farming in all different soil, Rich loam soil is the best and favourable for tulsi farming. We can also cultivate tulsi in the alkaline soil and moderate acidic soil, we can cultivate it in all different types of soil.

We will suggest farmers to do tulsi farming in well-drained soil. It will increase the production of tulsi and oil content in the leaves will also increase.

As we have observed during tulsi farming, tulsi plants can tolerate medium drought-like conditions and also it can easily grow in medium frost conditions as well.

Soil should be rich in organic content. If the organic content in the soil is more, then the need of chemical fertilizers will be very less, in some European countries farmers also grow green manure crops to decrease the use of chemical fertilizers.PH requirement for growing tulsi is 4.5 to 8.5.

Field Preparation For Tulsi Farming 

If we want a good yield, then the land preparation is very important. We have observed differences in the growth and development of the tulsi plants in the properly prepared field and not properly prepared field.

We will suggest farmers do proper ploughing to break all the clods of the soil. Add organic manure to the soil, mix it properly and leave it for two to three days for proper incorporation into the soil.

If farmers have used green manures in the field before tulsi farming, then farmyard manure requirement will be 10 to 15 tons per hectare and if farmers have not used green manure, then the requirement of farmyard manure will be 15 to 18 tons per hectare.

We will suggest farmers to divide the big plot of land into small plots. This will make it easy for the farmers to irrigate and to do intercultural operations.

Land preparation in ashwagandha farming and tulsi farming is very similar because both are medicinal plants and are also grown in the same Kharif season.

Propagation Of Tulsi

Propagation of tulsi is mainly done with two very common methods: 1st is propagation method is by Seed and the 2nd propagation method that we use in tulsi is the Cutting method.

But we do commercial propagation of tulsi through seeds because it is an easy method and the success rate through this method is high.

We will suggest the farmers to use fresh seeds for the propagation of tulsi because old seeds of tulsi become progressively worse to use, fresh seeds will give more production, oil content in the leaves will be also more.

We will also suggest farmers check the seeds twice before sowing them in your field. It should be fresh and if any contamination with weed seeds or insects is there, then clean it before showing.

Nursery Management Of Tulsi

We will suggest the farmers to make nursery of tulsi in a raised bed, it will protect seeds from the waterlogged conditions and in raised bed roots will get more space to grow.

Make raised bed nursery in the rectangle shape. We will suggest making 15 to 18 metres long and 4 to 5 metres in breadth. You can change the shape and size of the raised bed nursery according to the shape, size and requirement of your field.

The proper time for the transplanting is the ending month of February to the starting week of march, seed requirement is 200 to 300 grams which is enough for one hectare of the land. Don’t use more amount of seeds because when more plants will grow is less space it will not be healthy and survival chances of those weak plant will decrease.

We should do sowing of the seeds very carefully. Every seed should go at least 2cm to 2.5cm depth below the soil. We will suggest the farmers to apply a thin layer of farmyard manure after sowing, it will increase the growth of seedlings and provide proper nutrients to the seedling.

Seeds of tulsi will take 7 to 10 days to germinate, for transplanting we will suggest farmers to wait till 4 to 5 leaves stages, it can take 9 to 13 days after sowing.

As we have observed, spraying of urea on the beds will increase the growth of the tulsi plant. Farmers can also use this method for the fast growth of the tulsi plant. But spray urea in the limited amount of 5 to 10 days before sowing the seeds in the nursery.

Transplanting Of Tulsi

Before transplanting the tulsi, check the condition of the field. If there are any weed plants, remove them, tillage of the field should be done.

We will suggest adding farmyard in the field before transplanting and mixing of farmyard manure should be done. Check the farmyard manure, it should be well rotten.

We should maintain spacing between the plants, as proper spacing is very important for the growth and development of the plant, it will also increase the oil content in the leaves of tulsi.

We should maintain space between plant to plant at 40 cm x 40 cm, 40 cm x 50 cm. One or two centimetres can increase or decrease as per the field requirement.

We will suggest doing the first irrigation just after transplanting it will help roots of the tulsi plant to get established in the new type of soil. We should do second irrigation after 10 to 12 days of the first irrigation, after the second irrigation roots of the tulsi plant will establish completely.

Fertilizer Requirements Of Tulsi

As we all know, tulsi is a medicinal plant that is consumed directly for maintaining a healthy immune system and there are also different medicines made from tulsi, so we will suggest to use organic fertilizer as much as possible.

We will suggest farmers to apply 10 to 15 tons FYM before planting the tulsi plant.

If farmers are using green manure, then the requirement of urea will be less. We will suggest farmers use neem coated urea or nano urea according to the requirement of the field.

We will also suggest farmers apply some amount of micronutrients like copper and magnesium. It will increase the oil content in the leaves of tulsi.

Before using the chemical fertilizers, we will suggest farmers do soil testing, by this farmers will know the deficient nutrient in their soil and then it will be easy for them.

In common, we will suggest using the proper amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, commonly farmers can use 100 to 120 kg of nitrogen, 50 to 60 kg of phosphorous and 40 to 50 kg of potassium.

Apply potassium and phosphorus as the basal dose for nitrogen apply 50% as basal dose and the remaining nitrogen should be applied in two doses according to the requirements after cutting and the second irrigation.

As we have observed in the tulsi farming field, the growth and development of the tulsi plant, along with this production and oil content, will increase.

Irrigation Requirement Of Tulsi

The irrigation requirement of the tulsi is high as compared to other rabi crops or zaid crops. We will suggest farmers regularly visit the tulsi farming field and if it is required, then irrigate it.

After transplanting 1st irrigation is required, which is very important. In the complete time period of tulsi cultivation, it will require 5 to 10 irrigation.

The number of irrigation required totally depends on the environmental condition, and also depends on soil, so we will suggest farmers to decide according to the condition.

In many areas, we have observed farmers irrigate tulsi on a weekly basis. If there is regular rainfall, then the requirement for irrigation will be decreased.

Proper drainage facilities should be available in the field because water-logging growth and development of the tulsi plant can be affected.

Weed Management In Tulsi Farming

We all know Weeds always do competition with the major crops for nutrients, sunlight and space, so it is very important to do regular weeding.

The growth rate of the tulsi is fast, so after two weddings, it grows as the bush and suppresses the growth of the weed.

First, we should do weeding practice after 20 to 30 days of planting and we should do second irrigation after 60 to 80 days after planting.

We will suggest farmers to do regular weeding when they observe weeds are disturbing the major crop, then remove it.

Plant protection Of Tulsi

As we have observed, tulsi is a medicinal plant, so very fewer insects and pests attack the tulsi plant.

We will suggest farmers control insects and pests with organic neem oil and other organic insecticide and pesticides can be used. Farmers can also use traps to control insects and pests.

Many farmers also use trap crops like Marigold at the border of the tulsi field. Farmers also use sticky traps to control the pest of the tulsi field.

If the pest population is increased, we will suggest farmers use chemical insecticides and pesticides in the low quantity to control them fast.

Insect & Disease:-	Their Control.
To Control leaf rollers Insect In tulsi:-	Use 1% methyl (or) 0.2% malathion Use Just You Observe Insects.
For controlling powdery mildew disease:-	0.3% wettable sulfur is required in tulsi farming.
For controlling root rot and seedling blight diseases:-	Proper sanitization is required.

Harvesting Of Tulsi Farming

After 90 to 95 days of planting, tulsi is ready to harvest. After the first harvesting, farmers can harvest regularly at intervals of 60 to 70 days.

When the tulsi plant blooms completely, then farmers can harvest the tulsi by cutting 15cm above the root zone. It will help the plant regenerate a new fresh plant.

After cutting the plant 15 cm above the root zone, we will suggest farmers leave it for two to four hours for wilting. It will reduce the moisture of the plant. 

We will suggest farmers do the harvesting on sunny days for getting a good quality tulsi oil. It is not advisable to harvest the tulsi crop on rainy days or in cold weather.

Yield Of Tulsi

The yield of the tulsi totally depends on the environmental condition, nutrient content, soil type and irrigation availability, so it can vary from our given data.

Tulsi:-	Yield.
Tulsi Leaves Yield:-	9000 to 15000 kg leaves yield.
Tulsi Oil Yield:-	13 to 23 litres of oil.

 

In this blog, I took help from my experience of tulsi farming and also read some of the research papers for gaining more knowledge of tulsi. 1st website that helped me a lot is the NCBI website, the Fortin website and the last is the hind website thanks to all.