Biostimulation of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. with Different Yeast Strains: Morphological Performance, Productivity, Phenotypic Plasticity, and Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

Due to the growing knowledge about the microorganism–plant relationship, medicinal plants have gained great attention in their bio fertilization programs using biostimulants based on microorganisms. Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. is a perennial herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae and has therapeutic and nutritional properties attributed to its natural phytochemical compounds, which are highly valued in the pharmaceutical industry. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of Rhodotorula muciligenese (Y1), Candida sake (Y2), Candida apicola (Y3), and Candida kunwiensis (Y4) yeast strains in concentrations of 0 (C1), 1 × 104 (C2), 1 × 107 (C3), and 1 × 109 (C4) CFU mL−1 on the growth performance, productivity, and antioxidant activity of P. amboinicus plants. Yeast applications promoted growth attributes, nutritional value, and antioxidant activity in P. amboinicus leaves. Candida apicola exhibited the greatest root growth, herb weight, and essential oil production; it also stimulated carbohydrates, protein, and mineral content, as well as DPPH and FRAP activities. Whereas Rhodotorula muciligenese recorded the lowest values in this respect, among the concentrations used, the 1 × 107 CFU mL−1 concentration showed the highest values in this respect. These new findings showed that the foliar application of Candida apicola not only maximized the growth and productivity but also maximized the nutritional value and antioxidant activity of P. amboinicus.