The effects of triacontanol ‘TRIA’ and Asahi SL on the development and metabolic activity of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plants treated with chilling

Abstract

Abstract In a potted experiment the influence of foliar application of triacontanol (TRIA) at the concentrations of 0.01; 0.10; 1.00 mg dm-3, and Asahi SL at the concentrations of 0.1; 0.2; 0.3% on the growth and yielding of plants was studied. Electrolyte leakage, water saturation deficit, contents of proline and chlorophyll a + b in leaves, as well as the maximum quantum efficiency of chlorophyll (Fv/Fm) and gas exchange in plants which were treated for five days in temperatures of 15/7°C (day/night) were also examined. The achieved results showed that periodic chilling decreased the value of all the analysed parameters of the plants to a significant degree, with the exception of electrolyte leakage, water saturation deficit and proline content, whose values under these conditions increased. Triacontanol and Asahi SL favourably influenced both the plants treated and not treated with periodic chilling, but the effect of biostimulators on plants treated with chilling stress was clearly higher. The negative influence of chilling on the plants of Ocimum basilicum L. was decreased by TRIA in the concentration 0.10 mg dm-3, and by Asahi SL in the concentration of 0.2 and 0.3%.