Effects of Potassium and Phosphorus Fertilizers on Arsenic Phytotoxicity and Essential Oil Yield of Two Basil Cultivars

In this study, the effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer were examined on As toxicity and essential oil yeild in two basil variety. The experimental design was a factorial with two basil variety including landrace of Zabol and keshkeni luvelou as first factor, and addition of phosphorous and potassium fertilizers to soil at three levels: 50, 150 and 250 mg K kg−1 soil as second factor. Arsenic sulphate was added to all the treatments at a uniform rate equivalent to 15 mg As kg−1 soil. The experiment was conducted in 2011 at the Zabol University greenhouse in Zabol, south Iran. qualitative characteristics include the essential oil content, macronutrients and As were measured. Analysis of variance revealed that percentage of phosphorus absorbed from the soil was affected by varieties and phosphorus-potassium interaction, whereas phosphorus absorption was not significantly different across varieties. In both varieties, arsenic concentration in aerial parts reduced with increasing phosphorus addition. At different potassium fertilizer, the greatest As concentration was observed in the least potassium addition. Lowest essential oil production in both cultivars produced at the greatest As absorption

Medicinal Plants, Heavy Metals, Essential Oil, Chemical Fertilizers.