Effects of inoculation of seeds with different strains of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi on growth, essential oil production, biochemical and physiological characteristics of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of seed treatment on different strains of bacterial biofertilizers (control, Azosperilium 21, pseudomonas 168, istofyu, her bacillus and a combination of strains) and different strains of mycorrhizal fertilizer (control, Glomus mossae, G. intradices, G. hoei and all three strains of mycorrhiza) on growth, essential oil yield, and physiological characteristics of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Experiments were carried out in 2009 as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the farms of the Malakan Islamic Azad University. The measured traits were crop height, leaf area, chlorophyll index, chlorophyll a content, chlorophyll b content, number of stomata in the leaf surface, number of stomata in the substrate, essential oil content, essential oil yield, dry matter yield, glycol peroxidase, catalase and proline. In this study, mycorrhizal fertilizer treatments had a positive effect on the growth and yield of basil essential oil. In addition to the improvement of growth indices, physiological parameters including chlorophyll a and b contents, number of stomata and antioxidant content increased as a result of application of manure. The essential oil yield increased by 16.1%, 11.9% and 17.9%, respectively, due to the application of Azospirilum 21, application of bacteria, and the combined application of bacterial biofertilizer strains. This increase was mainly due to the increase in the percentage of basil essential oil. Contrary to growth characteristics, physiological characteristics such as chlorophyll a and b content and antioxidant content were positively affected by the use of bacterial biofertilizer. According to the results of this study, the application of Azospirilium 21, application of the bacteria, and the combined application of bacterial biofertilizer strains along with each of the mycorrhizal fungi strains will increase the qualitative and quantitative properties of basil essential oil.