Biostimulatory Action of Vegetal Protein Hydrolysate Compensates for Reduced Strength Nutrient Supply in a Floating Raft System by Enhancing Performance and Qualitative Features of “Genovese” Basil
Open Access
- 23 May 2022
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Frontiers Media SA in Frontiers in Plant Science
- Vol. 13, 906686
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.906686
Abstract
The floating raft constitutes a valuable system for growing herbs as it effectuates high yield and prime functional quality. However, the pressing need for advancing sustainability in food production dictates the reduction of chemical fertilizer inputs in such intensive production schemes through innovative cultivation practices. In this perspective, our work appraised the productive and qualitative responses of two “Genovese” basil genotypes (Eleonora and Italiano Classico) grown in a floating raft system with nutrient solutions of varied electrical conductivity (EC; 2 and 1 dS m−1) combined with root application of protein hydrolysate biostimulant at two dosages (0.15 and 0.3 0 ml L−1 of Trainer®). The phenolic composition, aromatic profile, and antioxidant activities (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP) of basil were determined by UHPLC/HRMS, GC/MS, and spectrophotometry, respectively. “Eleonora” demonstrated higher number of leaves (37.04 leaves per plant), higher fresh yield (6576.81 g m−2), but lower polyphenol concentration (1440.81 μg g−1 dry weight) compared to “Italiano Classico.” The lower EC solution (1 dS m−1) increased total phenols (+32.5%), ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP antioxidant activities by 33.2, 17.1, and 15.8%, respectively, and decreased linalool relative abundance by 5.5%. Biostimulant application improved crop performance and increased total phenolic concentration in both genotypes, with the highest phenolic concentration (1767.96 μg g−1 dry weight) registered at the lowest dose. Significant response in terms of aromatic profile was detected only in “Eleonora.” Our results demonstrate that the application of protein hydrolysate may compensate for reduced strength nutrient solution by enhancing yield and functional quality attributes of “Genovese” basil for pesto.Keywords
Funding Information
- Ministry of Education
This publication has 60 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effect of cutting on ascorbic acid oxidation and recycling in fresh-cut baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leavesPostharvest Biology and Technology, 2014
- Design of Packaging Vents for Cooling Fresh Horticultural ProduceFood and Bioprocess Technology, 2012
- Colour Measurement and Analysis in Fresh and Processed Foods: A ReviewFood and Bioprocess Technology, 2012
- Variations in phenolic composition and antioxidant properties among 15 basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivarsFood Chemistry, 2011
- Salinity of nutrient solution influences the shelf-life of fresh-cut lettuce grown in floating systemPostharvest Biology and Technology, 2011
- Nutrient solution concentration and growing season affect yield and quality of Lactuca sativa L. var. acephala in floating raft cultureJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2009
- Yield and Oil Composition of 38 Basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) Accessions Grown in MississippiJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2007
- Flavour and aroma of fresh basil are affected by temperatureJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2007
- Regulation of secondary metabolism by the carbon–nitrogen status in tobacco: nitrate inhibits large sectors of phenylpropanoid metabolismThe Plant Journal, 2006
- Changes in the Levels of Plant Secondary Metabolites Under Water and Nutrient StressPublished by Springer Science and Business Media LLC ,1984