1Department of Plant Protection Techniques, Technical Institute of Kufa, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq.
*Corresponding Author: Raghad Khalil Alarkwazi, Department of Plant Protection Techniques, Technical Institute of Kufa, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq. Email: raghad.ahmed@atu.edu.iq
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L) is a fragrant medicinal herb belonged to the Lamiaceae family, cultivated as a important economic and ornamental plant. Its leaves are used as a spice in cooking as well as for food preservation. The plant has considerable nutritional and medicinal values. This study was carried out in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Province, Iraq, to explore how to improve the chemical and bioactive components of basil. The research aimed to evaluate the influence of soil inoculation with Pseudomonas bacteria and foliar application of nano-boron as a sustainable agricultural practice to improve the plant quality and its secondary metabolites.
The experiment with three replications, was designed as a factorial trial within a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Two main factors were studied. The first factor was the soil inoculation with the Pseudomonas bacteria at four different concentrations of control, 25, 125 and 200 mg/mL. The second factor involved the foliar application of nano-boron, also at four concentrations of control, 80, 150 and 250 mg/L. The study assessed the effects of these treatments on some chemical parameters, comprising nitrogen and carbohydrates and on important bioactive compounds in basil, such as linalool, camphor and pinene.
The application of nano-boron and Pseudomonas, both separately as well as in combination, showed high improvements in all measured parameters. The most favorable results were found with the highest concentration levels of both treatments. Specifically, the combined application of 200 mg/mL of Pseudomonas and 250 mg/L of nano-boron produced the highest average values. This interaction led to camphor levels of 7.83 mg/g, pinene at 0.83 mg/g, linalool at 27.84 mg/g, carbohydrates at 21.74 mg/g and nitrogen content at 1.75 mg/g. These findings highlight a robust synergistic effect between the nano-fertilizer (nano-boron) and the biofertilizer (Pseudomonas), representing their potential to improve the productivity and phytochemical content of basil.
Basil, Bioactive compounds, Boron, Nano, Pseudomonas
