Influence of gibberellic acid on leaf abscission and quality of sweet basil

Leaf abscission is the major problem of harvested sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The abscission of organs from the plant body is in response to environmental and hormonal stresses.
Gibberellic acid (GA), which has various roles in physiological processes, is involved in stress responses, delayed senescence, and may indirectly affect the inhibition of plant organ abscission.
The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of GA on the leaf abscission and quality of sweet basil.
Sweet basil leaves were applied with GA by immersion for 5 min at 0 (control), 0.2, and 0.5 mmol L^‑1. After draining, all samples were packed into an LDPE bag and kept at 10°C. Percentage of leaf abscission, change of leaf color, and sensory attributes (preference test; 5-point hedonic scale, and visual quality) were measured every 3 days for 12 days.
The results showed that leaf browning and leaf abscission began at day 6 of storage in all treatments, with no significant differences.
Among all treatments, 0.2 mmol L^‑1 GA treatment had a higher score on the preference test and overall visual quality at day 9 of storage (pKLEINERDAN0.05). Colorimeter scores (L*, a* b*, and hue value) did not show a significant difference between treatments.
Our results suggest that GA treatment with sweet basil after harvest may play a positive role during storage.

IV Asian Horticultural Congress – AHC2023

P. Yingsanga, A. Srikram, P. Jitareerat, K. Sripong, T. Srinon

gibberellins, basil, quality, leaf abscission, plant hormone

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1404.103