Seedling emergence and growth of basil varieties under water stress

The limited availability of water for agriculture in arid areas of the world and especially in Mexico, caused by an increasing demand of a growing population, forced to do studies to achieve higher agricultural production with less water. This study was conducted in order to determine the effect of water stress on 20 varieties of basil, subject to three levels of water potential (0, -0.75 and -1.50 MPa) in a completely randomized design with four replications. The variables measured were percentage and emergence rate, radicle length, seedling height, fresh and dry biomass of radicle and aerial part. The results showed that Red Rubin had the higher percentage and rate of emergence under stress, while Mrs Burns not emerged under severe stress level (-1.50 MPa). Thai, Dark Opal, Emily, Dolly and Napoletano had higher radicle length when water stress was applied, meanwhile Cinnamon, Purple Ruffles, Genovese, Genovese Italian, Dolce Vita and Napoletano failed to develop when water potential was equal a -1.50 Mpa, while Sweet Dani had higher fresh biomass of root and shoot. Siam Queen and Thai showed higher shoot biomass under higher stress (-1.50 MPa); Emily and Thai for root biomass under moderate stress (-0.75 MPa).