Tulsi is a perennial plant that is well known for medicinal and aromatic properties. Tulsi holds traditional value in India and is native to the Indian subcontinent. Tulsi in the English language is called basil or holy basil. Basil belongs to the lamiaceae family. It grows throughout the year it does not need much water and can be grown in any kind of soil.
How to start tulsi farming in India
To start tulsi farming business for profit first you need to know various and correct information about tulsi farming such as temperature, climate, holy basil plant spacing, water requirement, best soil for tulsi plant, basil fertilizer npk, basil fertilizer needs, land preparation, weed removal, tulsi planting time, harvesting time etc and these details are given below. Please have a look
Where to buy tulsi seeds
You can purchase tulsi cuttings from your nearest nursery, you might find tulsi seeds as well, otherwise you can purchase basil seeds from any agriculture or fertilizer shop. If you are purchasing basil seeds from pansari or any ordinary shop then you must test them first on a small scale whether they are growing comfortably or not. You can check them out in your backyard garden.
Holy basil plant spacing
- Tulsi row to row distance - 40 to 45 cm
- Tulsi plant spacing (plant to plant) - 8 to 9 inch
Tulsi seed germination time
Holy basil seed germination needs 1 to 2 weeks to germinate properly.
When to plant tulsi
You can plant tulsi throughout the year
When to buy tulsi plant
You should select a 6 to 7 week old tulsi plant that contains 3 to 5 leaves. Either you can prepare your own nursery and after 6-7 week you can transplant your tulsi plant at your field or you can purchase it from your nearby nursery.
Which soil is best for tulsi plant?
Soil required for tulsi plant - rich loam, poor laterite, saline and alkaline soil are the most suitable types of soil for tulsi plant. Too much alkaline or salty soil needs to be avoided. If your land contains too much salt then you should provide a good amount of rotten compost such as cow dung.
What pH level is best for a Basil plant?
Holy basil soil pH level Should be between 4.3 to 8.2
Climate required for tulsi?
Climate conditions for tulsi plant should be warm for better growth. Subtropical regions have more preferable climate conditions for tulsi plant.
What is the temperature required for tulsi plant?
Temperature required during the germination of tulsi seeds is 20° C whereas temperature needed for tulsi plant growing period is 7° C to 27° C.
Irrigation required for tulsi plant
- Summers - 3 Irrigation per month required
- winters - 1 irrigation per month or as per the requirement.
- Rainy season - No irrigation required
- 12 to 15 irrigation cycles throughout the year are required for tulsi cultivation.
- Drip irrigation or sprinkler can ease the irrigation process.
Fertilizer requirement for basil
Fertilizer needed for basil
- DAP 1 sack in one acre
- MOP 1 sack
- Nitrogen 2 sack
- At the time of sowing 30-40 kg
- During growing period 30-40 kg
- When flower starts blooming 30-40 kg
- 10-15 ton FYM is required in tulsi cultivation
Intercultural activities for tulsi cultivation
Time interval for weeding - 1st weed removal 1 month after transplanting. Not much weeding is required but you should prevent weed seed germination by ploughing the land. Use mulching techniques to prevent the weed from growing or reaching your plant.
When to harvest tulsi basil
After 90 - 95 days tulsi plants are in full bloom period at that time they need to be harvested. Harvesting is done during bright sunny days, you should avoid harvesting if any unexpected shower occurs. Next harvesting is done after 70-75 days, which means it takes 20-25 days earlier than first harvesting.
How to propagate tulsi?
Propagation of tulsi plant can be done in two ways by seeds or by plant cuttings
Seeds - You have to sow the seed 2 - 3 cm below the ground to prepare the plant. When you sow the seeds, about 8 to 12 days after that, the plants come out, but the plants with 4 - 5 leaves suitable for your transplant are completely ready in at least six weeks.
Seedlings - You should select at least a (6-10 cm tall) 6 week old tulsi plant cutting that should have 3 to 5 leaves. Tulsi row to row distance should be 40 to 45 cm and plant to plant distance need to be 8 to 9 inch. Commercial cultivation of tulsi contains high density plants, nearly 60,000 to 90,000 plants per hectare.
Main varieties of tulsi in India
- Krishna Tulsi - This tulsi plant is dark in colour and has purple colour flowers.
- Ram Tulsi - Tulsi which has green leaves and black coloured manjari is also known as shri tulsi.
Tulsi crop production
The Tulsi crop produces 5 ton per hectare. Tulsi is harvested at least three times in one year.
Basil common name in india
- Sanskrit - Rama and Krishna tulsi
- Malayalam - Trittavu,
- Marathi - Tulshi
- Tulasi - Tami
- Telugu - Thulsi
- English - basil
Is tulsi farming profitable
There is a myth about tulsi farming investment and people usually say If you want to start a tulsi farming business then you can start it with a minimum amount of Rs 15 to 20,000 in one acre land. But this is just a myth because you have to add other expenses like labour cost, fertilizer cost, irrigation cost, plant saving cost, plant material cost, land preparation cost etc. Now you have to invest around Rs 60,000 to 75,000 but you don't have to invest this big amount in the beginning or together instead labour, fertilizer, irrigation and other cost need to spend as the cultivation process carries forward.
Tulsi farming cost per acre
- Land preparation cost - Rs 10,000
- Planting material cost - Rs 8,000
- Fertilizer cost - Rs 8,000
- Plant protection cost - Rs 6,000
- Medicine and spray cost - Rs 5,000
- Irrigation cost - Rs 10,000
- Labour cost - Rs 10,000
- Miscellaneous cost - Rs 5,000
- Total cost = Rs 62,000
Tulsi cultivation profit
- While talking about earning one can earn with two methods in tulsi cultivation. By selling the tulsi seeds and by selling the tusi oil. Tulsi oil is being extracted by its leaves.
- From 1 hectare land 150 kg tulsi seeds and 200 kg tulsi oil can be produced. Price of tulsi seed is Rs 200 per kg whereas tulsi oil price is around Rs 700 - 800 per liter. One can earn nearly 1.20 lakh to 1.50 lakh per hectare from tulsi cultivation in a year.
Where to sell tulsi
You can sell Tulsi seeds, oil or plant directly in the mandi or you can sell them online. You can also approach big herbal companies like Patanjali Ayurveda and other Ayurveda companies. These companies are always in search of herbal products because they have a big manufacturing platform so they need large quantities and here you can avail the opportunity to sell your product. Moreover, you can also start tulsi plantation business.
Health benefits of tulsi
Health benefits of basil leaves, tea, water are given below.
- Tulsi tea or water are natural immunity booster.
- Holy Basil in liquid form reduces fever and pain.
- Besal is good for gout patients.
- It is useful to control diabetes.
- Helpful for kidney patients
- Basil can reduce stone problems
- Tulsi is helpful in gas problems.
- Tulsi is good for skin and hair health.
- Eating 4-8 leaves of tulsi helps to maintain blood pressure normal.
Tulsi farming FAQ
What is a MOP in agriculture?
Full form of MOP is muriate of potash. Potassium chloride is referred to as ‘Muriate’ and the meaning of muriate is chloride.
What is SOP in agriculture?
Full form of SOP is sulfate of potassium. Potassium sulfate is called SOP.
How much DAP sack is required in 1 acre tulsi farm?
1 sack of DAP is required in one acre tulsi farm.
How much MOP is required in tulsi 1 acre farm?
1 sack of MOP is required for basil a1 acre field.
How much Nitrogen is required for tulsi 1 acre farm?
2 sacks of nitrogen are required for basil 1 acre farm.
Name some species name of tulsi?
There are various species of tulsi some of the species name of tulsi are given below
Rama tulsi, krishna tulsi, amrita tulsi, empty tulsi
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