The modified qualities of basil plants by selenium and/or ascorbic acid

The current research aimed to evaluate the possible impacts of foliar supplementations of selenium (Se) and/or ascorbic acid (AsA) on basil. Seedlings were foliarly treated with 4 concentrations of Se (0, 30, 60, and 120 mg L-1) and/or 2 levels of AsA (0 and 200 mg L-1), 2 times with 2-week intervals. In contrast to Se30, chla contents were significantly decreased by Se120 compared with the control. Se applications had a reducing effect on chlb contents. Se and/or AsA treated plants exhibited higher contents of carotenoid. The antioxidative system was affected by the applied treatments as it was indicated by the induced peroxidase activities, higher ascorbate and glutathione contents, and improved antioxidant activities in Se and/or AsA supplemented samples, among which the highest amounts were found in Se30-AsA and Se60-AsA groups. Se and/or AsA utilizations resulted in stimulations in activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase as well as increases in soluble phenol content and proline concentrations. The supplementations of AsA and/or Se led to increases in proline contents. According to these findings, the foliar supplementations of Se and AsA at appropriate concentrations trigger desirable effects on plant metabolism, thereby improving nutritional value and resistance to stress conditions.