17 J. F. Ninga L. H. Cuib S. H. Yanga S. Y. Aia M.J. Lia L. L. Suna Y. Chena R.H. Wanga Z. B. Zenga Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JAPS 20152015/02/01 25 1 131-138 1018-7081 NA <p>Basil (<em>Ocimum Basilicum</em>) seedlings were subjected to 0,5%,10%,20% and 40% seawater for 10 days under shade house conditions. Increasing seawater concentration led to considerable reduction in plant dry matter accumulation. However, root growth was not affected till treated with 40% seawater. Accumulations of Na+ and Cl- were correlated with decline of Ca2+ and K+ in stems, roots or both. Contents of Ca2+ and K+ in leaves increased or remained relatively unchanged with increasing salt levels. In salinity-stressed plants, Na+ were partitioned mainly in roots and more than 50% of the K+ and Ca2+ were stored in leaves. Higher K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratios in leaves rather than in roots and stems were observed in Basil plants. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray microanalysis showed that Basil leaf gland secretions contained Na+ and Ca2+. The Na+ secretion increased while Ca2+ secretion decreased with the increasing seawater concentration. These results suggested that Basil salt tolerance is associated with the compartmentation of Na+ in roots and the balance of K+, Na+ and Ca2+ in leaves as well as the salt secretion by the leaf glands.</p> Ocimumbasilicum L.; Basil; Ion balance; Salt secretion; Seawater stress; X-ray microanalysis Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2015-JAPS-19