Efficacy of Spraying NAA and Glycine on the Growth Properties and Yield of Basil Plants

Abstract

: A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2024 at the College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Iraq, to evaluate the influence of foliar applications of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and glycine on the growth, yield, and component traits of the basil plant (Ocimum basilicum L.). The study was implemented using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a split-plot arrangement with three replications. The main plots were assigned to four NAA concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L⁻¹), while four glycine concentrations (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 mg L⁻¹) occupied the sub -plots. The empirical findings demonstrated a significant positive effect across the measured attributes. The highest NAA application rate (150 mg L⁻¹) yielded superior r esults in vegetative parameters, markedly increasing plant height, number of lateral branches, leaf area, and dry leaf weight. It similarly enhanced yield components, producing the highest values for the number of panicles, number of inflorescences, and 1000-seed weight relative to the control. Likewise, glycine spraying at 1500 mg L⁻¹ significantly enhanced overall vegetative development and substantially improved floral and seed yield components. Interaction effects between the maximum concentrations of b oth factors (150 mg L⁻¹ NAA and 1500 mg L⁻¹ glycine) exhibited a synergistic response that mirrored the individual treatment trends, ultimately generating the highest growth rates and cumulative yield performance under local field conditions.