Yajiao ZHANG, Fulai YU, Chao YUAN, Xiaolu CHEN, Xiaoli XIE, Kai WANG, Mei HUANG, Zhenxia CHEN, Lingliang GUAN, Songbi CHEN
The study was aimed to analyze the genetic diversity of the phenotypic traits and chemotypes of different Ocimum basilicum germplasm resources, to provide theoretical reference for the innovative utilization of basil germplasm resources and variety selection. The botanical traits of 15 basil germplasm resources and the volatile components of the leaves investigated and determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), together with the relative odour activity values (ROAV). At the same time, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were carried out on the tested germplasms. The 15 basil germplasms differed significantly in plant height, plant width, leaf length, leaf width and stem thickness, except for the number of branches. 104 volatile compounds were identified, including 37 alkanes, 32 terpenes, 8 esters, 5 phenols, 4 alcohols, 3 aldehydes, 1 ether, and 14 other compounds, of which there are two types of common components, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol and heptadecane. According to the ROAV values obtained from the enquiries and calculations, the key aroma substances were found to be eugenol, linalool, eucalyptol, cis-citral, methyl cinnamate, 4-allyl anisole, etc. The principal component analysis and cluster analysis of the volatile substances the germplasms could be classified into five groups, namely, Thai basil, Anise basil, Siam queen basil and Sweet basil were grouped together, Jiu Cengta basil, Genovese basil, Red rubin basil, Purple dark opal basil and Purple ruffles basil were grouped together, Clove basil and Lemon basil were grouped together, Tuscany basil, Pluto basil and Italian large leaf basil were grouped together, Cinnamon basil was grouped one category. The phenotypic trait cluster analysis also classified basil into five groups, with Pluto basil into a group, Clove basil, Anise basil and Purple dark opal basil into a group, Thai basil into a group, Italian large leaf basill and Cinnamon basil into a group. The remaining eight germplasm were clustered into a group. The 15 germplasms have significant differences in botanical characters and volatile components, and are rich in genetic diversity, which could be targeted for breeding of basil-specific germplasms.