Soil Moisture Levels Affect the Anatomy and Mechanical Properties of Basil Stems (Ocimum basilicum L.).

ABSTRACT: As plants would benefit from adjusting and optimizing their architecture to changing environmental stimuli, ensuring a strong and healthy plant, it was hypothesized that different soil moisture levels would affect xylem and collenchyma development in basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Marian) stems. Four different irrigation set-points (20, 30, 40 and 50% VWC), corresponding respectively to pF values of 1.95, 1.65, 1.30 and 1.15, were applied. Basil plants grown near the theoretical wilting point (pF 2) had a higher xylem vessel frequency and lower mean vessel diameter, promoting water transport under drought conditions. Cultivation at low soil moisture also impacted the formation of collenchyma in the apical stem segments, providing mechanical and structural support to these fast-growing stem

SUBMITTER: Driesen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8309113 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature