ANSWER VARIETIES BASIL (Ocimum basilicum L.) TO SALINITY IN THE INITIAL STAGES GROWTH

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) presents great variability in tolerance to different types of stress. It is considered sensitive to salinity in the initial stages of plant growth. This work was intended to evaluate the response of varieties of O. basilicum to the influence of different levels of NaCl. The varieties have good agricultural performance, but its tolerance to salinity is unknown. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions where the plants were grown in a growth chamber in the presence of saline tenors. Evaluations of plant height, root length and biomass expressed as a unit of fresh and dry biomass of the root and stem, at the beginning and end of the test were performed. The analysis of the responses of the varieties indicated that they, under normal nutritional conditions, showed a relatively similar rate of growth and that the addition of NaCl to the environment caused alterations in growth. It was observed that Basil Genoveser Italiam, Dani Sweet Basil, Basil Red Rubin Basil Thai Basil Dolly, Cinamon Basil, Basil Mrs Burns, Emily Basil, Sweet Basil Genoveser, Basil Dolce Vita showed a greater response in indicators germination rate, germination, radicle length, plant height, fresh and dry biomass of the radicle, fresh and dry biomass of the aerial part and also cultivars with reduced response at this stage are cultivars Basil Lemon, Basil Siam Queen, Dark Opal Basil Basil Spicy Glove, Basil Licorice, Basil Purple Ruffles Basil Lettuce Leaf, Basil Italiam Large Leaf Basil Genoveser, Basil Napoletano, which were negatively affected by NaCl, although the damage was more pronounced in some varieties than others.