The Effects of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM) Fungus Glomus etunicatum on Growth and some Physiological Parameters of Basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) a member of the Lamiaceae family is used in traditional medicine in treatment of different human diseases. Also, this plant used as a culinary herb and a source of flavouring principles. Mycorrhizal fungi have been observed to be associated with plants cause to improve their productivity. Study of growth changes and some physiological parameters of basil after colonization with a native mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus etunicatum. The effect of a mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum on the growth and some physiological parameters of two cultivar of basil (green and purple) were investigated under greenhouse conditions in three replications. Results showed that the roots of basil cultivars were colonized significantly with Glomus etunicatum. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased leaf area, shoot and root fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a and b, total phenolic and anthocyanin contents of mycorrhizal plants as compared to the non-inoculated plants. The endo-mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum isolated from Iranian soils affects positively on the growth and physiological parameters of the basil cultivars, and it could be applied for improvement of basil growth.