Sweet Basil Functional Quality as Shaped by Genotype and Macronutrient Concentration Reciprocal Action
Michele Ciriello,
Antonio Pannico,
Christophe El-Nakhel,
Luigi Formisano,
Francesco Cristofano,
Luigi Giuseppe Duri,
Fabiana Pizzolongo,
Raffaele Romano,
Stefania De Pascale,
Giuseppe Colla,
Mariateresa Cardarelli,
Youssef Rouphael
Affiliations
Michele Ciriello
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Antonio Pannico
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Christophe El-Nakhel
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Luigi Formisano
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Francesco Cristofano
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Luigi Giuseppe Duri
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Fabiana Pizzolongo
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Raffaele Romano
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Stefania De Pascale
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Giuseppe Colla
Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Mariateresa Cardarelli
Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e L’Analisi Dell’Economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Orticoltura e Florovivaismo, 84098 Pontecagnano Faiano, Italy
Youssef Rouphael
Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is among the most widespread aromatic plants due to its versatility of use and its beneficial health properties. This aromatic plant thrives in hydroponics, which is a valid tool to improve the production and functional quality of crops, but nevertheless, it offers the possibility to de-seasonalize production. A floating raft system was adopted to test the production and quality potential during autumn season of three different genotypes of Genovese basil (Aroma 2, Eleonora and Italiano Classico) grown in three nutrient solutions with crescent electrical conductivity (EC: 1, 2 and 3 dS m−1). The aromatic and phenolic profiles were determined by GC/MS and HPLC analysis, respectively. The combination Aroma 2 and the EC 2 dS m−1 resulted in the highest production, both in terms of fresh weight and dry biomass. The 2 dS m−1 treatment determined the major phenolic content, 44%, compared to the other two EC. Italiano Classico showed a higher total polyphenolic content in addition to a different aromatic profile compared to the other cultivars, characterized by a higher percentage of Eucalyptol (+37%) and Eugenol (+107%) and a lower percentage of linalool (−44%). Correct management of the nutritional solution combined with adequate genetic material managed an improvement in the production and the obtainment of the desired aromatic and phenolic profiles.
