S04 - Session P1 - New Tools II - Beneficial effects of volatile organic compounds emitted from Serendipita indicia on the germination of Ocimum basilicum seeds under salt stress

Authors: Hassiba Fraj *, Dhekra Abdouli, Stefaan Werbrouck

In Mediterranean regions, Ocimum basilicum is grown as a field crop for the production of essential oils. There, salinity is the main source of environmental stress, which is aggravated by increasing periods of drought. Salt stress affects germination, growth and yield through osmotic stress, ion toxicity and oxidative stress. Serendipita indica is a endophyte fungus that enhances plant growth in a wide range of plant species by colonising the roots. Here we studied the effect of the volatile organic compounds of S. indicia on the in vitro germination of O. basilicum seeds under different salinity levels. Seeds were germinated on basal MS medium in split petridishes with or without 30 g/l sucrose and supplemented with 0, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 g/l NaCl. S. indica was grown in the other section than the seeds on Potato Dextrose Agar medium. Sucrose added osmotic stress to the germinating seedlings. But with or without sucrose stress, the volatiles mitigated salt stress up to 9 g/l.