The aim of every plant production is to realise high and stable yield. But, it is also very important that the products are of good quality.

Within a two-year investigation work (1998 and 1999) the following influences were investigated: 1) row spacing and spacing within row, 2) seeding and planting (the way of planting establishment) and 3) planting establishment time. Seeding material for the first variant was produced in a glasshouse with two-row spacing: 50x30cm and 70x30cm. In the second variant the seeding was direct with the spacing of 50x0 cm and 70x0 cm. The third variant used seeding material produced in cool seedbeds and transplanted with the spacing of 50x30 cm and 70x30 cm. Phenophases from emerging to flowering, when the harvesting was done were observed.

The obtained results showed that the highest yield in both years of the investigation was achieved in the first variant with the spacing of 50x30 cm. The yield of dry aerial part of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L., fam. Lamiaceae) in this variant was 5671 kg/ha in 1998, and 5886 kg/ha in 1999. The lowest yield was recorded in the third variant with the spacing of 70x30 cm. The yield in this variant was 2652 kg/ha in 1998 and 2784 kg/ha in 1999. The highest percent of ether oil was obtained in the second variant (1.142 %) with spacing of 50x0 cm. The same percent of ether oil in this variant was recorded in both years of investigation. The highest yield of ether oil by hectare was recorded in the first variant with spacing of 70x30 cm.

Key words: Ocimum basilicum L., plant spacing, yield, quality.