Document Type : Research paper
Authors
1
Department of Horticulture, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran
2
Department of Horticulture Sciences, Agriculture Faculty, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran.
10.22059/ijhst.2024.373388.793
Abstract
The global demand for medicinal plants is developing rapidly. Among the new cultivation techniques, the hydroponic can be used to produce high quality medicinal herbs. This research was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with 3 replications in a research greenhouse in the city of Zanjan, Iran. The experimental treatments consisted of two basil genotypes (green and purple), and 10 growth media: cocopeat, perlite, sand, pumice, cocopeat + perlite (1:1), cocopeat + pumice (1:1), cocopeat + sand (1:1), pumice + sand (1:1), pumice + perlite (1:1) and sand + perlite (1:1) under hydroponic system. Based on the obtained results the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of two basil genotypes significantly increased in cocopeat + perlite and cocopeat + pumice growth mediums, while the plants were grown in sand and pumice growth medium indicating a lower concentration of photosynthetic pigments. Moreover, the phytochemical parameters including total phenols, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents, antioxidant activity in DPPH and FRAP assays, total protein, and PAL enzyme activity were higher in combined growth media especially, cocopeat + perlite growth medium. Also, the minimum values of phytochemical traits of two basil genotypes were recorded in inorganic substrates including pure and combined sand and pumice. Overall, the combined cocopeat + perlite growth medium was more effective in improving the physiological and phytochemical parameters. Finally, it can be concluded that the optimization of growing media in hydroponic systems has led to the production of high-quality vegetables and medicinal herbs with higher nutritional values.
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