Effect of Azospirillium on the morphological and physiological traits of basil (Ocimum basilicum) under salt stress

Aim and Salinity is one of the main factors limiting the production of crops. On other hand, reducing rainfall and increasing excessive heat in the past few years has led to more evapotranspiration and increased salinity effects in reducing yields. Increasing the consumption and economic value of medicinal plants, including Basil, is essential for research on the limiting factors in planting these plants in the country. Due to the contamination caused by chemical fertilizers and the high energy consumption for their production, bio-fertilizers can be a good alternative to chemical fertilizers. The present study deals with the effect of Azospirillium bacteria on physiological and morphological characteristics of Basil's medicinal plant under salinity stress
Material and This experiment was conducted in May 2011 in Greenhouse of College of Agriculture in the University of Ilam. The experiment was factorial based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications and 4 salinity levels of 2,4,6 and 0 (ds / m) and 2 levels of presence and absence of bacteria
The results of this study showed that with increasing levels of stress, most of the traits are affected. The plant was lower at lower levels, but at 4 dS / m and 6 dS / m levels, the yield was significantly reduced. Increasing levels of stress reduced the height of root dry weight, root length and biomass weight, and also it reduced the number of leaves, sub branch and chlorophyll a, b and ab. Also, salt stress increased levels of nitrogen, protein and proline by increasing salinity levels.