Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and essential oil composition in ocimum basilicumvar. Genovese

Sweet basil is characterized by its essential oils, synthesized and stored in glandular hairs. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi colonize the root of most terrestrial plants, forming a very common symbiosis. In the present paper, the effects induced by three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae or Gigaspora margarita or Gi-gaspora rosea) on shoot growth and essential oil production of Ocimum basilicum var. Genovese were evaluated. Gi. rosea significantly increased internode number and decreased internode distance in comparison with control plants and the other fungal treatments. Furthermore, Gi. margarita and Gi. rosea modified essential oil content analyzed semi-quantitatively.