On the occasion of CSIR-CIMAP Kisan Mela on 31st January 2019, a new Thymol rich and Multi-cut high yielding variety CIM-AKSHAY of Basil (Ocimum gratissimum L.) was released for commercial cultivation by Hon’ble Chief Guest, Dr. Mangla Roy, former Director General, ICAR.

Ocimum gratissimum L. (Family: Lamiaceae), universally recognized as tree basil. The plant is characterized as perennial, under shrubs or shrubs up to 2 m tall. The plant is regularly used in traditional medicine to cure different diseases. Thymol is a natural monoterpene phenol compound found mainly in the species of Thymus, Origanum, Trachyspermum ammi and Monarda. Thymol is used in the food industry for their flavouring and preservative properties, in commercial mosquito repellent formulations for their natural repellent effect, in aromatherapy, and in traditional medicine for the treatment of headaches, coughs, and diarrhoea.

The new variety of Ocimum gratissimum has been developed by CSIR-CIMAP through pure line selection efforts for improved herb and essential oil yield coupled with high thymol (45-50%). This variety can be an additional source of Thymol that will be cultivated throughout the year because of its perennial nature. The new variety gives herb yield of 500-550 q/ha and oil yield 200-220 kg/ha. The distinct leaf morphology viz., larger size leaves and multi-cut nature are the two important economic features of this variety.