Phytomass and Essential Oil of Basil (cv. Basilicao) under Periods of Induced Salt Stress

Research results reporting the effect of under periods of induced salt stress on biomass production, yield and composition of the essential oil of rosemary are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate phytomass production and essential oil yield of basil plants (Ocimum basilicum L. 'Basilicao') in soilless cultivation under different levels of salt stress, in addition to analyzing their phytochemistry. Four periods of salt stress were evaluated in summer and winter experiments: 0, 10, 20 and 30 days. The analyzed variables were fresh mass (FM), dry mass (DM), number of inflorescences (NI), essential oil yield (EOY), and phytochemistry. A completely randomized design was used, and the data were submitted to analysis of variance and evaluated by polynomial regression. Salt stress reduces leaf and stem FM and DM and the FM of total aerial part, in summer and in winter; it increases FM, DM, and NI in summer; there is no difference in FM, DM or NI in winter; and no difference in DM of total aerial part in both seasons. Leaf EOY reduces under salt stress during both seasons, as well as total EOY in winter. Inflorescence EOY increases in summer. Linalool, the main component of the oil, increases under salt stress.