Growth and Biochemical Properties of Green Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Affected by Foliar Application of Biostimulants

BACKGROUND: Green basil is a nutritional and medicinal plant due to its valuable properties. Improving qualitative and quantitative traits of plants with appropriate methods in sustainable agricultural were emphases. Biostimulants derived from organic materials and stimulate natural process in plants and improve crop performance. OBJECTIVES: In this research the effects of some biostimulants (amino acids, humic acid and seaweed extract) on morpho-physiological properties of green basil were evaluated. METHODS: This research was carried out under greenhouse condition. The experiment was conducted based on Completely Randomized Design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments included control (distilled water), seaweed extract (0.5, 1 and 2 gr.l-1), amino acid (1, 2 and 3 gr.l-1) and humic acid (1, 2 and 3 ml.l-1). RESULT: The results showed that application of different biostimulants positive effects on vegetative parameters and biochemical properties of green basil plants. The highest leaf numbers (21.67) was measured in amino acid application at 1 g.l-1 concentration. The effect of humic acid was more noticeable on increased plant height (37.00- 47.67 cm) in compare to other biostimulants. The plants that received biostimulants had higher plant fresh weight than control treatment. Seaweed extract and humic acids increased significantly carotenoid content of plants. The highest ascorbic acid content was measured in treated plants at levels of 2 and 3 gr.l-1 amino acid. Application of all biostimulants were used in this study, had positive effects on concentration of total phenolic content of basil plants. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that, application of biostimulants at proper concentration due to positive effect on quality and quantity of growth parameters and biochemical properties of green basil plants are recommended.