Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1 Sari
2 M.Sc. Student of Medicinal Plants, Sana Institute of Higher Education, Sari
3 Department of Soil Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Crop Sciences, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari
4 Ph.D. in Medicinal, Spice and Beverage Plants, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Abstract
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual plant from the mint family that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. Due to its distinctive aroma and flavor, it is used both fresh and as a spice and medicinal herb. Basil contains essential oils with antifungal, antibacterial, and insect-repellent properties, which are utilized in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Phenylpropanoids are among the main compounds in its essential oil. Seaweeds have emerged as a novel source for producing organic fertilizers. These aquatic organisms contain valuable compounds such as plant hormones, trace elements, vitamins, and amino acids, which are beneficial for plant growth. Carbohydrates play a vital role in plant physiology. Sucrose, the primary form of carbohydrates produced during photosynthesis, is crucial for energy transport and regulating plant growth. At high concentrations, these compounds act as protective agents, while at lower concentrations, they serve as signaling molecules in response to environmental stresses. Sucrose plays a regulatory role in various stages of plant growth, from germination to senescence. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of seaweed and sucrose on the morphophysiological and phytochemical characteristics of basil.
Materials and Methods
This study aimed to investigate the effects of seaweed extract fertilizer and sucrose on the morphophysiological and phytochemical characteristics of basil. The experiment was conducted as a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a greenhouse in Neyshabur during the 2022 growing season. The first factor included different levels of seaweed fertilizer (0, 1, 2, and 3 Ml.L-1(A0, A1, A2 & A3)), and the second factor consisted of sucrose levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 g.L-1(S0, S2.5, S5 & S7.5)), applied as foliar sprays every 10 days. Plant moisture was maintained through drip irrigation. At the end of the vegetative growth stage, morphophysiological traits (plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight, leaf area) and phytochemical properties (photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanin, antioxidant activity, total phenols, and flavonoids) were measured. Data were analyzed using SAS version 9, and means were compared using Duncan's test.
Results and Discussion
The interaction effect of seaweed and sucrose foliar application on plant height, fresh and dry leaf weight, fresh stem weight, leaf area, chlorophyll a, b, and total, carotenoid, anthocyanin, antioxidant activity percentage, total phenol, and flavonoids was significant at the 1% probability level. The application of A1S7.5 as a foliar spray on the medicinal plant basil resulted in the highest plant height (43.83 cm), fresh weight (5.34 g), dry weight of aerial parts (0.65 g), and antioxidant activity percentage (64.46%). Using A2S7.5, the highest levels of chlorophyll a (0.865 mg.g-1 fresh weight), chlorophyll b (0.636 mg.g-1 fresh weight), and total chlorophyll (1.052 mg.g-1 fresh weight) were obtained. Additionally, the highest leaf area (9.65 cm²) was observed with the A2S2.5 treatment, carotenoid (0.636 mg.g-1 fresh weight) with A3S0, anthocyanin (10.28 mg.g-1 dry weight) with A3S2.5, and total phenol (1.60 mg gallic acid.g-1 dry weight) and flavonoids (1.32 mg quercetin.g-1 dry weight) were achieved with the A2S7.5 treatment.
These findings demonstrate that seaweed-sucrose foliar sprays can effectively enhance basil's agronomic and phytochemical traits, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers in medicinal plant production. The significant improvement in both yield and bioactive compounds underscores the dual benefit of this approach for commercial cultivation. Furthermore, this eco-friendly technique could be particularly valuable for organic farming systems and in regions where synthetic fertilizers are either expensive or environmentally restricted. The optimized treatments provide actionable insights for farmers and researchers aiming to improve both yield and bioactive compound quality in basil cultivation.
Conclusions
Overall, the combined treatments A1S7.5 and A2S2.5 had the most significant impact on morphophysiological traits. Photosynthetic pigments were influenced by the combinations A2S7.5 and A3S0. Additionally, the phytochemical characteristics of basil were affected by the treatments A1S7.5, A2S7.5, and A3S2.5. This study demonstrates that seaweed-sucrose combinations can simultaneously enhance plant growth (by improving morphophysiological traits) and medicinal quality of basil (by boosting phytochemical content). This sustainable agriculture approach serves as an effective alternative to chemical fertilizers, improving both crop yield and bioactive compound content.
This study demonstrates that seaweed-sucrose combinations can simultaneously enhance plant growth (by improving morphophysiological traits) and medicinal quality of basil (by boosting phytochemical content). This sustainable agriculture approach serves as an effective alternative to chemical fertilizers, improving both crop yield and bioactive compound content.
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