Emergency of Ocimum basilicum L. seeds on different substrates in the Cariri region of paraibano

Abstract

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an aromatic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family, popularly known as basilicão, basil, common basil, among others. It is considered a herbaceous, perennial species that blooms all year, and may also be known for its medicinal characteristics. Its cultivation is quick and easy, and propagation can be obtained by seeds, so it is important to have means to assess its physiological quality, as well as information on the requirements for its emergence regarding water, temperature, light and substrate. Thus, the objective of the research was to evaluate the influence of different substrates on the physiological quality of O. basilicum seeds in the region of Cariri paraibano. The work was carried out at the Laboratory of Plant Anatophysiology of CDSA/UFCG, where the influence of the following substrates was analyzed: (T1) Earth, sand and rabbit manure, (T2) Earth, sand and goat manure; (T3) land and rabbit dung; (T4) soil and goat manure and (T5) soil and sand in 1:1 proportions, totaling five treatments, where the following parameters were evaluated: emergence and emergence speed index. In each treatment, 100 seeds were used. The emergence test was carried out in a protected environment (uncontrolled conditions), in which the seeds were sown in trays containing the different substrates. Regarding the emergence data and emergence speed index, the soil and sand substrate provided the best results with values of 50% and 1.7 respectively, while the substrate, earth and goat manure, promoted the lowest results (20% and 0.51 respectively). Thus, the substrate sand and earth were considered more efficient for emergence, emergence speed index in seeds of O. basilicum in the region of Cariri Paraiba.