Effect of foliar application of salicylic acid and biofertilizerson in adjustment of the effects of drought stress on some morphophysiological characteristics, dry matter yield and essential oil production of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

In the present study, the influence of foliar application of salicylic acid and biofertilizers on modulating the effects of drought stress on some morphophysiological characteristics, dry matter yield and essential oil production of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) was investigated using a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design in triplicate within the 2019 in Hurand . Experimental treatments included three levels of drought stress (70, 140 and 210 mm of evaporation from Class A evaporation pan) as the first factor, seed inoculation with bacteria at five levels (no inoculation as control, inoculation with Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, Azospirillum and co-inoculation with Azotobacter, Pseudomonas and Azospirillum) as the second factor and salicylic acid foliar application at four levels (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM) as the third factor. .The results of this study showed that the drought stress had an important role in reducing the basic factors in basil growth. The results showed that with increasing the intensity of drought stress, the proline content increased. So that the highest proline content (1.69 μM/g fresh weight) were obtained from the treatment of 210-mm evaporation. Based on the results obtained in this experiment can be expressed, the use of salicylic acid at a concentration of 1.5 mM and the co-inoculation of bacteria play a role in relieving the negative effects of drought stress and their administration can effectively increase the quantitative and qualitative properties of the basil.