Abstract

BATISTA-SANCHEZ, D. et al. Use of FitoMas-E^® to mitigate saline stress (NaCl) during emergence and early growth of Ocimum basilicum L. Nova scientia [online]. 2015, vol.7, n.15, pp.265-284. ISSN 2007-0705.

The use of bioestimulants for vegetables may stimulate emergence and plant growth since they are composed of natural substances such as carbohydrates, peptides of low molecular weight and amino-acids, activators of the physiological functions of plants, thus its application allows for a better use of nutrients and represents an option to deal with problems of abiotic stress by salinity. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the bioestimulant FitoMas-E® derived from sugarcane as to mitigate salinity stress in the emergence and growth of seedlings of varieties of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Three varieties of basil Napoletano, Emily and Nufar underwent four concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM) and four doses of FitoMas-E® (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mL L-1) in a completely randomized arrangement design with four replicates. The work was carried-out in semicontrolled conditions in a mesh-shade structure and the variables that were measured were: percentage and rate of emergence, radicle length, seedling height, fresh and dry biomass of radicle and shoot. The results showed that when subjected to salt stress (NaCl) of moderate to severe, the variables decreased significantly, the most affected being the length of the root, the plant height and dry biomass of root at 150 mM NaCl. It was observed that when FitoMas-E® applied, values of plant variables increased significantly, length of root by 32% and plant height by 41%, which reveals the stimulatory effect of the FitoMas-E®, where 0.5 mL L-1 the stimulant dose for the variety Napoletano and 1.0 mL L-1 for variety Emily, under saline stress conditions up to 100 mM of NaCl. For 150 mM concentration, the Emily and Nufa plant varieties were extremely affected.

Keywords : FitoMas-E^®, NaCl, emergence percentage, basil.