In the literature, the effects of root hypoxia and salinity on many plants have been extensively studied. However, current data on the combined effects of these two stresses on the growth of basil species are scarce. Therefore, the main objective of our present work is to highlight the physiological and biochemical responses of basil Ocimum basilicum L. subjected to salt and/or hypoxic stress for a period of 7 days. Results indicated that basil tolerates hypoxia well in terms of weight growth and is sensitive to salinity or combined stress. However, the study of nutritional balance follows the same evolution as weight growth. In terms of the content of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity, plants under hypoxia 7 days after treatment show a higher content of secondary metabolites compared to control plants or under saline stress, especially in the aerial organs. Similarly, antioxidant activity is very important in hypoxia plants. However, the appearance of adventitious roots in hypoxia plants would probably be a morphological adaptation of basil to this constraint. It also seems that hypoxia has reduced the negative effect of salinity on weight growth and the accumulation of mineral elements. Ultimately, basil tolerates hypoxia well for 7 days.
Arfaoui et al. (2026) studied this question.