The deficit irrigation effects productivity, essential oil content, and phenolic compounds accumulation in basil varieties

Erdinç GÜNAY, Melih AYDINLI, DOI: 10.46793/BiolNyss.17.1.9G

Abstract


In recent years, the increasing severity of drought has emphasized the importance of deficit irrigation (DI) for sustainable agricultural production. Basil (Ocimum basilicum), a plant with high water requirements, necessitates meticulous evaluation under conditions of limited water availability. This study examined the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of two commercial basil varieties, “Moonlight” and “Midnight,” to DI applications (DI100 as the control, DI80, DI60, and DI40) at two different harvest stages. The highest essential oil content in both varieties at both harvest stages was obtained under the DI80 treatment. Linalool content decreased, whereas methyl chavicol content increased with increasing water stress. Notably, total phenolic and flavonoid content significantly increased in the Moonlight under DI60. Furthermore, the Moonlight exhibited higher drought tolerance, likely due to the activation of non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms. The study found that irrigating at 60% of field capacity positively affected the examined characteristics of the basil. 


Keywords


Basil, deficit irrigation, essential oil content, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity

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References


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