Multivariate Analysis of Germination and Early Growth in Damavand Basil (Ocimum basilicum) under Sodium Carbonate Stress

Farhang  Sardrodi, Abohassan; Sadeghizadeh, Malihe; Khatibi, Ali; Abdollahi Koshki, Ghasemali; Jamali Kharanjani, Alireza

Volume 12, Issue 2 ((Autumn & Winter) 2026) Iranian J. Seed Res. 2026, 12(2): 47-67 | Back to browse issues page

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Farhang Sardrodi A, Sadeghizadeh M, Khatibi A, Abdollahi Koshki G, Jamali Kharanjani A. (2026). Multivariate Analysis of Germination and Early Growth in Damavand Basil (Ocimum basilicum) under Sodium Carbonate Stress. Iranian J. Seed Res.. 12(2), 47-67.
URL: http://yujs.yu.ac.ir/jisr/article-1-648-en.html

Multivariate Analysis of Germination and Early Growth in Damavand Basil (Ocimum basilicum) under Sodium Carbonate Stress

Abohassan Farhang Sardrodi

, Malihe Sadeghizadeh

, Ali Khatibi

, Ghasemali Abdollahi Koshki

, Alireza Jamali Kharanjani

Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili , a.farhang@uma.ac.ir

Abstract: (162 Views)

Objective: This study aimed to distinguish early stimulatory effects from inhibitory responses in basil seeds under alkaline stress (sodium carbonate).
Method: An experiment based on completely randomized design was conducted with four Na₂CO₃ levels (0, 5, 15, and 30 mM) and three replications. Germination dynamics were assessed via germination percentage (GP), germination rate (GR), and mean germination time (MGT). Post-germination growth was evaluated using seed vigor index (SVI), biomass allocation (fresh/dry weights), and total biomass index (TBI). Salt tolerance indices (STI) were calculated, and multivariate analyses (correlation heatmap and PCA) were performed.
Results: A clear hormetic response was observed. At 5 mM, TBI reached its maximum (STI.TBI = 2.28), indicating significant growth stimulation. Concentrations above 15 mM caused a sharp decline in all indices. At 30 mM, germination capacity and early growth were severely reduced, along with decreased germination rate and disrupted biomass allocation. PCA explained 97.75% of total variance and clearly differentiated treatments. The heatmap showed a strong correlation (r = 0.962) between germination rate and seedling establishment.
Conclusions: A stimulatory threshold exists at 5 mM Na₂CO₃. The transition from hormesis to toxicity occurs between 5 and 15 mM, reflecting a limited adaptability range for Damavand basil. TBI and PCA-based clustering are reliable indicators for evaluating salt tolerance. These findings emphasize the need for careful soil and water management in alkaline environments.

Highlights

Mild sodium carbonate stress (5 mM) stimulated seedling growth in Damavand basil, confirming a hormetic response.
PCA effectively discriminated stress levels, explaining 97.8% of total variance.
Total Biomass Index (TBI) was identified as the most reliable indicator of alkaline stress tolerance.
Severe stress (30 mM) impaired biomass allocation and germination kinetics, leading to poor seedling establishment.

Keywords: Alkaline stress, Hormesis, Ocimum basilicum, Principal component analysis, Salt Tolerance Index, Seed vigor

Full-Text [PDF 605 kb] (29 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Seed Physiology
Received: 2025/08/18 | Revised: 2026/02/28 | Accepted: 2026/03/4 | ePublished: 2026/03/20

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