The Effects of Biochar and Salicylic Acid on Reducing Pb-induced Stress in Basil Crop (Ocimum basilicum L.)

In this research, the interaction of Pb stress, salicylic acid (SA) and biochar (BC) on growth parameters of basil crop (Ocimum basilicum L.) were investigated. This experiment was conducted as a factorial, based on a complete randomized design with three replications in greenhouse of Razi University. Treatments included canola biochar at three levels (0, 1 and 3% by weight), SA at three levels (0, 100 and 200 μM) and Pb at three levels (0, 100 and 200 mg/kg Pb(NO3)2). Results showed that the highest plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry plant weight, leaf area, fresh and dry root weight, and root volume were observed in the treatment of 200 μM SA, 3% BC and Pb control. Also, the simultaneous application of SA and BC reduced Pb concentration in basil, so that the lowest one (0.67 mg/kg) was found in the treatment of 200 μM SA, 3% BC and Pb control. In contrast, the highest proline content (44.4 mmol/g) was obtained in 200 mg/kg of Pb and control of SA and BC. In general, the application of SA and BC could significantly reduce Pb-induced stress on growth characteristics in basil.