Biostimulant derived from sugar cane alleviates effects of NaCl-stress in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Growth biostimulants activate physiological functions in plants, contain substances of plant metabolism, which improve the use of nutrients and are an option to mitigate stress by NaCly. The objective was to evaluate the effect of a bio-stimulant derived from sugar cane (FitoMas-E (R)), as an attenuator of NaCl-stress in basil varieties, grown under hydroponics. A completely randomized design with factorial arrangement was used, where factor A was the varieties (Napoletano, Nufar and Emily), factor B the doses of FitoMas-E (R) (0 and 0.5 mL L-1) and factor C the NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM), with four repetitions. Fresh and dry biomass of aerial part and root, length of stem and root, diameter of stem and leaf area were evaluated. The results showed that all variables decreased in the three varieties by applying NaCl, leading to the death of Emily when subjected to a NaCl concentration of 150 mM and 0 mL L-1 of FitoMas-E (R). The plants treated with the biostimulant increased fresh and dry biomass of the aerial part and root, length of stem and root, diameter of the stem and foliar area even when were subjected to NaCl-stress. The analysis of the factors showed that Napoletano increased significantly (p <= 0.05) fresh and dry biomass of the aerial part and radicle, length of the stem, root and foliar area, when receiving doses of FitoMas-E (R) from 0.5 mL L-1.