Abstract
Salinity is among the most important abiotic stresses, which negatively affect growth, nutrient uptake and yield of crop plants. Application of different micronutrients, particularly zinc (Zn) have the potential to ameliorate the negative impacts of salinity stress. However, the role of Zn in improving salinity tolerance of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of different Zn levels (0, 5 and 10 mg kg-1) on growth and nutrient acquisition traits of basil under different salinity levels (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% NaCl). Data relating to biomass production, chlorophyll index, sodium (Na), potassium (K) uptake, K/Na ratio, Zn, copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) uptake were recorded. Increasing salinity level reduced biomass production, chlorophyll index and nutrient uptake traits (except for Na and Fe accumulation) of basil. Zinc application (10 mg kg-1) improved biomass production, chlorophyll index and nutrient acquisition traits under normal as well as saline conditions. The reduction in chlorophyll index and biomass production was higher under 0 and 5 mg kg-1 than 10 mg kg-1 Zn application. The K concentration decreased under increasing salinity; however, Zn application improved K uptake under normal as well as saline conditions. Different growth and nutrient acquisition traits had negative correlations with Na accumulation; however, no positive correlation was recorded among growth and nutrient uptake traits. The results revealed that Zn application could improve the salinity tolerance of basil. However, actual biochemical and genetic mechanisms involved in Zn-induced salinity tolerance warrant further investigation.
Highlights
Salinity is an important constraint for crop production in many geographic regions of the world, and frequently occurs in irrigated lands of arid and semi-arid regions [1]
A calcareous and Zndeficient soil having DTPA extractable Zn level of 0.20 mg kg-1 was used in the study
The lowest biomass production was recorded for the plants grown under no Zn application, whereas plants grown under Zn5 and Zn10 levels produced the highest biomass (Fig 2)
Summary
Salinity is an important constraint for crop production in many geographic regions of the world, and frequently occurs in irrigated lands of arid and semi-arid regions [1]. Irrigation water containing trace amounts of sodium chloride (NaCl) increases salt levels in arable soils [2, 3]. Salinity affects 831 million hectares of land [4], and the saline area is increasing with each passing day [5]. Salinity excludes 1.5 million hectares of productive lands from agricultural production each year [3]. Salinity is of important concern for salt sensitive crops grown in arid zones [6, 7]. Soil and water salinity are major constraints in global food
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