Morphogenetic Capabilities of Ocimum Gratissimum L. Explants Cultured in Vitro under Saline Stress Conditions

Abstract

The effects of sodium chloride and potassium chloride on the in vitro morphogenesis of vitroplants of Ocimum gratissimum L., a glycophyte, were studied in this work. The explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with NaCl (7 mM, 14 mM, 25 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM) or KCl (25 mM) or NaCl/KCl combination (25 mM/25 mM) for 28 days. The results show that the presence of the two salts in the culture medium affects the morphogenesis of the explants by inhibiting caulogenesis and rhizogenesis. The development of plants is accompanied by phenological disturbances. NaCl at 7 mM does not significantly affect the growth of vitroplants. High concentrations of NaCl (25 mM, 50 mM, and 100 mM) strongly inhibit the morphogenesis of vitroplants. Similarly, the simultaneous presence of NaCl and KCl at 25 mM each, in the culture medium reduces the morphogenetic capacities of the explants. The sensitivity indexes show that O. gratissimum is not tolerant to high concentrations of NaCl.