Role of mucilage in improving seedling emergence of Ocimum basilicum L. exposed to salinity stress

The seeds of many desert plants have an extraneous mucilage layer that can raise water holding capability of seeds under stressful environments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of mucilage in improving the salinity resistance of Ocimum basilicum L. The treatments include salinity (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 dS/ m) and seed type (with and without mucilage) with three replications. Results showed that all studied traits were significantly (p < 0.01) effected by salinity stress. Seed type had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on the germination rate and root and shoot length, whereas this factor did not significantly affect other traits. Except for seed germination, other variables were significantly affected by salinity and seed type interaction. With increasing salinity stress, germination and seedling growth of both seed types were significantly decreased; however, seeds with mucilage were less affected by salinity stress than those without mucilage.