Metabolic Activity and Yield Components of Basil Plants Irrigated With Reclaimed Water.

Metabolic activity and yield components of basil plants irrigated with reclaimed water.

Broetto, F; Bressan, D.F; Capelin, D; Coscolin, R. B. dos; Barros, E. A. de; Gomes, E.R; Bettini, M.

Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University – UNESP, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry – Botucatu 18618-970, Brazil. e-mail: broetto@ibb.unesp.br.

 

ABSTRACT

The predictions of water availability indicate a growing scarcity and low quality of this resource, which will require better management and utilization of the same to ensure biodiversity. In this sense, it is anticipated that over the coming decades, water intended for irrigation is even scarcer, with higher salinity and high concentration of some toxic elements for plants. This study aimed to evaluate the possible changes in the physiological processes of Ocimum basilicum L.  In response to use of wastewater for irrigation. The treatments were T1-deionized water; T2-deionized water supplemented with NaCl (15 mM), T3-Wastewater picked in natura  (ozonated to eliminate microrganims) and T4-deionized water supplemented with NaCl (30 mM). The treatments were started when 50% of the plants where in flowering stage. The preliminary results showed that the use of the wastewater or saline water did not alter the plant ability of CO₂ assimilation (A; liquid photosynthesis), stomatal conductance (g_s) and other studied biometric parameters.  This parameters shift only in the course of the culture cycle, independently of the treatments. In general the response of plants to salinity is related to reduce growth due to the increase in salt concentration in the soil solution and consequent reduction of its osmotic potential and toxic cultures. In this study, the use of wastewater caused no deleterious effect on the culture, demonstrating the feasibility of their use for irrigation of basil plants.

Key Words: Salt stress, reclaimer water, photosynthesis