Genetic diversity in Baburi (Ocimum sanctum L.)

There is a large diversity of medicinal plants in Azad Kashmir. Ocimum sanctum is one of them. Ocimum sanctum locally known as ‘Baburi’ belongs to the family labiateae. It is widely distributed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It has immense medicinal value. For example plant is recommended in Malaria, Gastric diseases, blood and heart diseases, cough, bronchitis, asthma, chronic fever, liver disorder, earache, ringworm and skin diseases. The extracts of plant are also effective against polio, diabetes and cholera etc. Seeds are used in geneto-urinary disorders. It also has insecticidal, fungicidal and antibacterial properties. The research was conducted to evaluate the morphological and genetic variations among different genotypes of Ocimum sanctum in district Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The seeds of four genotypes were collected from different localities, sown in pots, transplanted to the field applying RCBD with a layout having three replications & four genotypes.The morphological studies were carried out for leaf area, number of racemes/plant, number of flower/raceme, plant height, 1000-seed weight and days to maturity.