Effects of Salinity and Temperature on Germination and Seedling Establishment of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

ABSTRACT

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is usually propagated from seed, but establishment of the plant is sometimes difficult as seed germination and seedling emergence may be limited under saline and unfavorable temperature conditions. In this study, salt and temperature tolerance of green and purple types of basil were investigated by subjecting both green and purple basil to selected levels of salinity (0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 dS/m) and temperature regimes (15, 25, and 35°C). Germination and seedling emergence in a saline environment were higher at 25°C than at the other tested temperatures, indicating a temperature stress made sweet basil more susceptible to salt stress. Although seed germination and seedling development were similar to controls at low salinity levels and 25°C, abnormal seedling development was increased and germination reduced at salinity levels of ≥ 12 dS/m for both the green and purple type of sweet basil. Sweet basil can be classified as moderately tolerant to salt stress during seed germination and seedling emergence.

KEYWORDS:

• Herb
• medicinal plant
• salt stress