Study Of The Effects Of Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) And Water Stress On Germination And Physiological Growth Of Basil Cultivars (Ocimum Basilicum And Ocimum Kilimandscharicum)

Abstract

The present study evaluated the impact of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) application and varying soil moisture levels on germination and early seedling growth of two basil species, Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum kilimandscharicum. Results showed that seed treatment and foliar application of IBA significantly enhanced germination percentage, root and shoot elongation, dry biomass accumulation, and vigor index. These effects are attributed to IBA’s auxin-like activity, which promotes cell division, elongation, enzymatic activation, and improved water and nutrient uptake, particularly under drought stress conditions. Additionally, O. kilimandscharicum demonstrated superior physiological performance and adaptability compared to O. basilicum. Increased soil field capacity further improved all measured growth parameters by facilitating enzymatic activities and metabolic processes essential for seedling establishment. The findings suggest that IBA application combined with optimized soil moisture management can effectively improve basil propagation and growth, especially under water-limited environments.