LAUSR

In this study, the capability of the basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plant as hyper accumulator in remediation of polluted soils was investigated. The study was carried out as pot trials under controlled conditions. Increasing concentrations of EDDHA-Fe (0 mgkg-1, 25 mgkg-1, 50 mgkg-1, 150 mgkg-1, 250 mgkg-1) were applied. The basil seedlings germinated in viols were acclimated into pots in triplicates and harvested 2 months later. The agro-morphological traits, Fe accumulation in plants and plant nutritional elements were analysed. The basil plant was found to accumulate Fe in its body in the presence of toxic levels of Fe metal and Fe was found to be antagonistic with micro nutritional elements. The plant fresh and dry weights and plant height were found to be statistically significant at 50 mgkg-1 EDDHA-Fe application, and beyond this concentration, these values decreased. The Mg content, which is the central atom in chlorophyll, was found to be the highest at the mentioned concentration. SPAD values showed a parallel change, too. The basil plant was shown to be a hyperaccumulator in terms of remediation of the Fe metal, which is both a nutritional element and a heavy metal. Moreover, Fe fertilization of 50 mgkg-1 was shown to be sufficient for basil cultivation as a medicinal plant. This result was found to be statistically significant at α = 0.05.