The Journal "Agriculture and Forestry"
Časopis "Poljoprivreda i šumarstvo"
- Since 1955 -
Year 2024, Volume 70 Issue 3 (30.09.2024)
| Year : | 2024 |
| Volume : | 70 |
| Issue : | 3 (30.09.2024) |
| Authors : | Amina ŠERBO, Jasna AVDIĆ, Fatima PUSTAHIJA, Mirela SMAJIĆ MURTIĆ, Senad MURTIĆ |
| Title : | PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF BASIL PLANTS (Ocimum basilicum L.) TO DROUGHT |
| Abstract : | Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most widely cultivated medicinal and aromatic species and the understanding of its physiological behavior under drought is of great importance for both basil producers and plant scientists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological response of basil plants to different drought levels. This study found that drought significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, pyrogallol peroxidase and catalase, indicating that these enzymes play a prominent role in detoxification of reactive oxygen species and thus in plant drought tolerance. Exposure of basil plants to moderate and severe drought resulted in higher accumulation of proline and total phenolics and flavonoids, suggesting that basil plants under prolonged drought conditions tend to improve their drought tolerance by inducing the production of these compounds in leaves. Interestingly, mild drought did not negatively affect the photosynthetic pigment content as well as proline and total phenolic and flavonoid content in basil leaves as compared with control plants. In light of this fact, as well as the fact that the basil plants have the ability to produce protective macromolecules and antioxidants in high amounts in severe drought conditions, it can be concluded that basil plants tolerate drought conditions well. |
| For citation : | Šerbo, A., Avdić, J., Pustahija, F., Smajić Murtić, M., Murtić, S. (2024). Physiological response of basil plants (Ocimum basilicum L.) to drought. Agriculture and Forestry, 70 (3): 123-139. https://doi.org/10.17707/AgricultForest.70.3.09 |
| Keywords : | antioxidants, defense mechanisms, leaves, osmoregulation, water shortage |
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