Effect of Different Concentrations of Chitosan on Germination and Growth of Sweet Thai Basil

Abstract

Sweet Thai basil, Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora is a medicinal plant that is widely used in many industries due to its richness in phytochemical contents. The present study was carried out to improve the germination growth and of sweet Thai basil. In the current research sweet Thai basil seeds were treated with different concentrations of chitosan (0, 2, 4 and 6 ml/L). The result showed that treatment at 4 ml/ L chitosan produced seed germination percentage 100, seed germination speed (1.51), vigor index (6.93) taller seedlings (7.69 cm in height), with bigger stem diameter (0.90 mm), leaf area (1.59 cm2/leaf), and root length (3.19 cm). However, 4 ml/L chitosan concentration was best compare to 0, 2 and 4 ml/L concentration of chitosan. On the other hand, it is recommended for the seeds of sweet Thai basil to be treated with 4 ml/L of chitosan with different plant density.