Effects of daily light integral on growth and nitrate content of basil grown for indoor gardening

In the quest to identify daily light integrals (DLIs) that can sustain indoor gardening of pick-and-eat edibles, we evaluated DLIs below the recommended range for commercial production of basil (Ocimum basilicum). Experiments were conducted for eight weeks to determine the effect of DLI on growth and nitrate content of green (‘Genovese Compact’) and purple (‘Red Rubin’) basil grown hydroponically under 21°C. The four DLI treatments (4, 6, 8, or 10 mol m^‑2 d^‑1 (80, 119, 159, and 197±5 µmol m^‑2 s^‑1, respectively for 14 h d^‑1)) were provided by broad-spectrum light-emitting diode lamps.
All growth variables showed a linear increasing response to DLI. ‘Red Rubin’ produced more leaves than ‘Genovese Compact’, but plants of the latter were more compact.
No clear relationship was found between cultivar and nitrate content in response to DLI. We recommend the use of 8-10 mol m^‑2 d^‑1 to sustain edible biomass production of pick-and-eat basil plants grown for indoor gardening, although higher DLIs are expected to increase yield.

IX International Symposium on Light in Horticulture

E. Solis-Toapanta, M. Retana-Cordero, C. Gómez

hydroponics, non-commercial production, Ocimum basilicum, pick-and-eat, photosynthetic photon flux density, sole-source lighting

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1337.22