ISHS Acta Horticulturae 450: International Symposium Growing Media and Plant Nutrition in Horticulture
CONTROLLING THE GROWTH AND QUALITY OF HYDROPONICALLY-GROWN BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM L.) (REFEREED) |
| Authors: | Chris A. Smith, K. P. Svoboda, Mhairi M. Noon |
| Keywords: | nutrition, nitrogen, phosphorus, planting density, substrate, peat, coir, perlite, essential oils |
| Abstract:
There is considerable interest in the United Kingdom in the production of fresh culinary herbs under protection in order to increase the length of the growing season. Growers are experimenting with hydroponic cultivation in order to maximize the benefits of supplementary heating and lighting. However, there is little information in the literature on the optimum cultivation conditions for hydroponically grown herbs. A preliminary investigation was conducted to assess the effect of cultural conditions on the yield and quality of basil grown in pots in a passive semi-hydroponic system. Four variables; N concentration, P concentration, planting density and substrate type were investigated. Plant growth was sensitive to all four variables. Yield was improved by increasing the nutrient solution nitrogen concentration up to 300 mg/l. Similarly, yield was greatest at the highest P concentration assessed (100 mg/l). Whilst yield per pot increased with increasing planting density (from 2 to 16 plants per pot), the mean plant size decreased; optimum plant and leaf size was obtained at a density of 8 plants per pot. Of the three substrate-types evaluated, plant growth was better in perlite than in peat or coir. Essential oil yield did not show any significant changes related to treatment variables and was between 0.2–0.5% (v/w). Planting density influenced oil composition, mainly by affecting its methyl cinnamate and linalol content. Nitrogen and phosphorus supply did not have a marked effect on oil composition. | |
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