Abstract
The efficacy of various inorganic and organic pre- sowing seed treatments and germination duration of dipping for basil (Ocimum basilicum ) seedlings was investigated for germination and growth in order to recommend a better replacement for inorganic chemicals. The mature seeds of Ocimum basilicum were sourced from the National Center for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology in Ibadan, Nigeria. The seeds were subjected to 3 pre-treatments and a control which included soaking in rabbit urine (20%), boiling water (100%) and gibberellic acid (GA3) at 10, 15, and 20 minutes of dipping duration both in the laboratory and on the field. Data collected were subjected analysis of variance. The result showed seeds of Ocimum basilicum soaked in rabbit urine (20%) concentration and gibberellic acid (GA3) both in the laboratory and on the field had the highest germination percentage of 92 and 100%, respectively while the least was recorded with boiling water (52%) and the control (0%) after 20 days of sowing. Among the different organo-priming seed techniques used for this research, soaking of Ocimum basilicum seeds in rabbit urine (20%) recorded the highest seedling emergence after 15 minutes of application and was second best to GA3, thus rabbit urine is recommended for use by farmers, seed dealers and crop breeders.