Influence of Supplementary Blue and Far-Red Light on the Morphology and Texture of <i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L. Grown in Controlled Environments
Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) is highly sensitive to environmental conditions and is an ideal candidate for cultivation in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Light-emitting diode technology has become essential in CEA, offering precise control over light intensity, spectrum,...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Horticulturae |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/287 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Basil (<i>Ocimum basilicum</i> L.) is highly sensitive to environmental conditions and is an ideal candidate for cultivation in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Light-emitting diode technology has become essential in CEA, offering precise control over light intensity, spectrum, and duration. This study investigated how supplemental blue light, far-red light, or their combination influences basil biomass, morphology, texture, and color when added to a white + red light spectrum. Basil ’Prospera’ and ’Amethyst’ were exposed to five light treatments for 14–28 days: white + red at 180 µmol∙m<sup>−2</sup>∙s<sup>−1</sup> (W) as the control, and four treatments with an additional 60 µmol∙m<sup>−2</sup>∙s<sup>−1</sup> of either white + red (+W<sub>60</sub>), blue (+B<sub>60</sub>), far-red (+FR<sub>60</sub>), or a combination of B and FR (+B<sub>30</sub>+FR<sub>30</sub>), for a total photon flux density of 240 µmol∙m<sup>−2</sup>∙s<sup>−1</sup>. The results demonstrated that +B<sub>60</sub> and +W<sub>60</sub> light treatments increased leaf thickness by 17–20% compared to the +FR<sub>60</sub> treatment. Conversely, texture analysis revealed that +FR<sub>60</sub>-treated leaves had higher puncture resistance, with ’Amethyst’ and ’Prospera’ requiring 1.57 ± 0.43 N and 1.45 ± 0.35 N of force, respectively, compared to 1.19 ± 0.32 N and 1.1 ± 0.21 N under +B<sub>60</sub>. These findings suggest that tailored light recipes in CEA can optimize basil quality, allowing growers to modify traits like leaf color, thickness, and toughness. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2311-7524 |