Use of hydrogen peroxide in acclimation of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) to salt stress

Authors : Hewsley Silva, André Azevedo Neto, Renata Menezes, Petterson Silva, Hans Gheyi

Pages : 208-217

View : 15 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 9999-12-31

Article Type : Makaleler

Abstract :The aim of this study was to verify the effects of application of H2 O2 on salt tolerance and oil production in basil cv. `Gennaro de Menta? grown in a hydroponic system. Seedlings were subjected to 3 levels of H2O2 (0, 1, and 1000 ?M) in a nutrient solution during 2 different exposure periods (24 and 48 h) and 2 levels of NaCl (0 and 80 mM). The plants were harvested at preflowering (at 15 days) and postflowering (at 25 days). At 25 days, the application of 1 ?M H2O2/48 h and its reapplication at preflowering increased leaf dry mass production compared to the other salt treatments. Relative water content decreased while leaf succulence and sclerophylly index increased with salinity. The increase of succulence was more pronounced with the application of H2O2. Salinity increased the chlorophylls content only in plants without the application of H2O2. Salinity increased Cl?, Na+, and organic solutes content, this effect being more pronounced in salt treatments that received H2O2. Essential oil content, yield, and productivity were induced by salinity and H2O2. This study shows that H2O2 application in nutrient solution for basil cultivation in hydroponic systems using brackish water is a viable technique for promoting biomass or essential oil yield.
Keywords : Salinity, salt tolerance, essential oil productivity, Ocimum basilicum L.