Effect of silica Nanoparticles on Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Under Salinity Stress

Abstract

Application of nanofertilizers is one of the promising methods for increasing resources use efficiency and reducing environmental pollutions. Uncontrolled application of chemical fertilizer and pesticides has caused many problems to human health and domestic animals. Nanofertilizers application could be a suitable way to reduce these problems. Accordingly, in order to assess the silicon nanoparticles effect on some vegetative features of basil under salinity stress, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in greenhouse condition. Treatments included different levels of silicon fertilizer (without silicon, normal silicon fertilizer and silicon nanoparticles) and salinity stress (1, 3 and 6 ds/m). Physiological traits (chlorophyll and proline content of leaves) and morphological traits (shoot fresh weight and dry weight) were investigated in this study. Results showed a significant reduction in growth and development indices due to the salinity stress. Leaf dry and fresh weight reduced by increment in NaCl concentration while significantly (P≤0.01) increased with silicon nanoparticles application. The chlorophyll content reduced in salinity stress, but increased by silicon
nanoparticles treatment. Proline content increased under salinity stress which was a response to stress. Moreover, proline increased by silicon nanoparticles which was due to tolerance induction in plant. Silicon nanoparticles application reduced the pollution effects originated from salinity in Basil.