Salinity stress and plant growth regulator in basil: effects on plant and soil

The water in semiarid regions contains salts in excess. When good quality water is not available it is necessary to use strategies that can make feasible the use of saline water. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the application of the plant growth regulator on the culture of basil stressed with salt. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design by the matrix “Central Box Compound”. Shoot height, stem diameter, leaf area, dry masses and soil chemical characteristics were evaluated. The salinity of the irrigation water causes reduction of the basil growth parameters, with the exception of the inflorescence dry mass. Plant growth regulator applications have effect on basil growth when plants are irrigated with saline water.