Abstract

Genovese basil has great economic potential; however, there is no established micropropagation protocol for this species. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the in vitro growth of Genovese basil in response to different concentrations of salts in the Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) and interaction of sucrose and activated carbon. Two assays were conducted independently in an in vitro environment using the MS medium, regulators, agar, and five salt concentrations (0, 25, 50, 70 and 100%). In the second assay, two concentrations of sucrose (30 and 60 g L^-1) and three concentrations of activated carbon (0, 3.0, and 4.5 g L^-1) were tested.In addition, copper and zinc were quantified in the roots. The results showed that shoots were favored when the medium was at its full strength (100% salts), with seedlings forming more leaves.This result may be associated with a higher demand for nitrogen and because of the ionic balance between NH₄⁺ and NO₃^-. High concentrations of salts affected the roots, but a reduction to 70% salt favored root development. Doubling the usual dose of sucrose (60 g L^-1) damaged the growth of the seedlings. Damage caused by osmotic and oxidative potentials, and by toxic compounds may be related to the observed results. The amount of copper and zinc in the root increased with increased concentrations of activated carbon in the medium. The presence of activated carbon reduced callus formation but did not mitigate the effects of increased sucrose concentration.

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