The Effect of Myco-Biocontrol Based Formulates on Yield, Physiology and Secondary Products of Organically Grown Basil

Gabriel-Ciprian Teliban,Vasile Stoleru,Gabriela Mihalache,Lorena-Diana Popa,Neculai Munteanu,Ilian Badjakov,Valtcho D Zheljazkov,Ivayla Dincheva,Alexandru Cojocaru,Marian Burducea

doi:10.3390/agriculture11020180

Abstract

The development of organic farming as a result of increasing consumer preference for organic food has led to the development and registration of new pest-control products for certified organic production. In this study, the effects of three biocontrol products containing spores and mycelium of Arthrobotrys oligospora—Artis®, Beauveria bassiana—Bora®, and Coniothyrium minitans—Öko-ni® were tested on four basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars: ‘Aromat de Buzau’, ‘Serafim’, ‘Macedon’ and ‘Cuisoare’. The application of Öko-ni® increased basil yields by 8% relative to Control. The application of Bora® increased chlorophyll content of basil leaves by 2% and the activity of photosynthesis by 66% relative to the Control. Basil essential oil (EO) content was increased by 18% with the application of Artis® and by 34% with the application of Bora® and Öko-ni®, respectively. The content of phenolic compounds analyzed by HPLC varied; caffeic acid concentration was higher in the plants treated with Öko-ni®, hyperoside, isoquercitrin and rutin concentrations were higher in those treated with Artis®, while the quercitrin content was higher in Bora®-treated plants. The two main EO constituents that were identified were linalool and methyl chavicol in ‘Aromat de Buzau’, linalool and eugenol in ‘Serafim’, neral and geranial in ‘Macedon’, also linalool and eugenol in ‘Cuisoare’. The investigated myco-biocontrol products had positive effects on basil fresh biomass and EO content and also influenced the content of phenolic compounds.

Highlights

The application of biocontrol products Öko-ni®, Artis® and Bora® increased basil fresh herbage yields compared to the control
Three biocontrol formulates were tested to evaluate their effect on the yield, physiology, and synthesis of phenolic compounds, as well as essential oil (EO) in four varieties of basil cultivated in the ecological system
Increases of up to 2% in chlorophyll content and up to 66% in the rate of photosynthesis have been reported with Beauveria bassiana (Bora® )

Summary

Introduction

Basil produces bioactive substances such as essential oil (EO) and phenolic compounds with great importance to drug, perfumery and food industries [2,3]. These substances, which are produced in the plant secondary metabolism pathways, have been shown to play a protective role against pests or UV radiation, and their concentration in plant biomass vary as a function of environmental factors such as drought or extreme 4.0/). Basil can be successfully grown both in the open field and in greenhouses Both the cultivar and the growing conditions influence the synthesis of bioactive compounds.

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