Impact of Honey Soil Supplementation on Growth and Antioxidant Activity in Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) Plants

This study explores the potential of honey as a natural soil amendment to enhance plant growth and biochemical resilience in <i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L. Honey solutions at varying concentrations (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were applied to evaluate their effects on growth parameters, biomass accum...

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Main Authors: Dyhia Sadou, Riccardo Fedeli, Silvia Celletti, Nadia Amessis-Ouchemoukh, Rabha Ayad, Stefano Loppi, Salim Ouchemoukh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/16/1/14
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author Dyhia Sadou
Riccardo Fedeli
Silvia Celletti
Nadia Amessis-Ouchemoukh
Rabha Ayad
Stefano Loppi
Salim Ouchemoukh
author_facet Dyhia Sadou
Riccardo Fedeli
Silvia Celletti
Nadia Amessis-Ouchemoukh
Rabha Ayad
Stefano Loppi
Salim Ouchemoukh
author_sort Dyhia Sadou
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the potential of honey as a natural soil amendment to enhance plant growth and biochemical resilience in <i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L. Honey solutions at varying concentrations (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were applied to evaluate their effects on growth parameters, biomass accumulation, and antioxidant activity. The results revealed that lower honey concentrations (2.5%) had a minimal impact on plant height, while higher concentrations (5% and 10%; −42% and −43%, respectively) exhibited inhibitory effects, suggesting a dose-dependent response. The leaf count remained stable across treatments, indicating a consistent morphological outcome. The biomass analysis highlighted variability in the plant biomasses, reflecting the influence of honey concentrations on plant energy allocation. Despite unchanged chlorophyll and ascorbic acid levels, significant enhancements in antioxidant compounds and activity were observed, particularly at lower concentrations (antioxidant activity at 2.5% and 5%; +26% and +30%, respectively), underlining the role of honey in bolstering the antioxidant defense system. These findings demonstrate honey’s dual role as a growth modulator and antioxidant enhancer, emphasizing its relevance in sustainable agricultural practices. This research contributes to the development of eco-friendly strategies for improving crop performance and resilience through the application of naturally derived biostimulants.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2037-0164
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series International Journal of Plant Biology
spelling doaj-art-e4caa4841e3f4b4da0dcd79dd3e0cbaf2025-08-20T01:49:00ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Plant Biology2037-01642025-01-011611410.3390/ijpb16010014Impact of Honey Soil Supplementation on Growth and Antioxidant Activity in Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) PlantsDyhia Sadou0Riccardo Fedeli1Silvia Celletti2Nadia Amessis-Ouchemoukh3Rabha Ayad4Stefano Loppi5Salim Ouchemoukh6Laboratory of Biomathematics, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Scientometry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University de Bejaia, Bejaia 06000, AlgeriaBioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 4 53100 Siena, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 8 10124 Turin, ItalyLaboratory of Biomathematics, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Scientometry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University de Bejaia, Bejaia 06000, AlgeriaLaboratory of Biomathematics, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Scientometry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University de Bejaia, Bejaia 06000, AlgeriaBioAgry Lab, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 4 53100 Siena, ItalyLaboratory of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Bejaia, Bejaia 06000, AlgeriaThis study explores the potential of honey as a natural soil amendment to enhance plant growth and biochemical resilience in <i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L. Honey solutions at varying concentrations (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were applied to evaluate their effects on growth parameters, biomass accumulation, and antioxidant activity. The results revealed that lower honey concentrations (2.5%) had a minimal impact on plant height, while higher concentrations (5% and 10%; −42% and −43%, respectively) exhibited inhibitory effects, suggesting a dose-dependent response. The leaf count remained stable across treatments, indicating a consistent morphological outcome. The biomass analysis highlighted variability in the plant biomasses, reflecting the influence of honey concentrations on plant energy allocation. Despite unchanged chlorophyll and ascorbic acid levels, significant enhancements in antioxidant compounds and activity were observed, particularly at lower concentrations (antioxidant activity at 2.5% and 5%; +26% and +30%, respectively), underlining the role of honey in bolstering the antioxidant defense system. These findings demonstrate honey’s dual role as a growth modulator and antioxidant enhancer, emphasizing its relevance in sustainable agricultural practices. This research contributes to the development of eco-friendly strategies for improving crop performance and resilience through the application of naturally derived biostimulants.https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/16/1/14antioxidant activitycrop growthhoneynatural biostimulant<i>Ocimum basilicum</i>
spellingShingle Dyhia Sadou
Riccardo Fedeli
Silvia Celletti
Nadia Amessis-Ouchemoukh
Rabha Ayad
Stefano Loppi
Salim Ouchemoukh
Impact of Honey Soil Supplementation on Growth and Antioxidant Activity in Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) Plants
International Journal of Plant Biology
antioxidant activity
crop growth
honey
natural biostimulant
<i>Ocimum basilicum</i>
title Impact of Honey Soil Supplementation on Growth and Antioxidant Activity in Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) Plants
title_full Impact of Honey Soil Supplementation on Growth and Antioxidant Activity in Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) Plants
title_fullStr Impact of Honey Soil Supplementation on Growth and Antioxidant Activity in Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) Plants
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Honey Soil Supplementation on Growth and Antioxidant Activity in Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) Plants
title_short Impact of Honey Soil Supplementation on Growth and Antioxidant Activity in Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) Plants
title_sort impact of honey soil supplementation on growth and antioxidant activity in basil i ocimum basilicum i l plants
topic antioxidant activity
crop growth
honey
natural biostimulant
<i>Ocimum basilicum</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/16/1/14
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