Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture. Vol. LXVI, No.

2, 2022
Print ISSN 2285-5653, CD-ROM ISSN 2285-5661, Online ISSN 2286-1580, ISSN-L 2285-5653

STUDY REGARDING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

OF SOME VARIETIES OF BASIL CULTIVATED
IN THE NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE SYSTEM
Elena Alina GOVOREANU1, Monica Luminița BADEA1, Livia MAIOR2,
Elena Maria DRĂGHICI1
1
University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest,
59 Marasti Blvd, District 1, Bucharest, Romania
2
Holland Farming Agro S.R.L., 74 Drumul Osiei, Bucharest, Romania

Corresponding author email: [email protected]

Abstract

The study presents aspects regarding the main physiological processes in the species of Ocimum basilicum, the
varieties: 'Aromatic de Buzău', 'Crispum', 'Macedon' and 'Bulatum' cultivated in hydroponic system. Physiological
indicators were analysed such as: photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, dry matter content and water in the basal,
middle, and apical leaves of the plants. The LCPro+ automatic analyzer was used to measure the intensity of the
photosynthesis, transpiration, and respiration processes. The results obtained varied depending on the variety and the
position of the leaves on the plant. The 'Macedon' variety stood out in terms of photosynthesis intensity, dry matter
content, water and chlorophyll. The apical leaves showed a higher intensity of physiological processes, compared to the
basal and middle leaves.

Key words: photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, dry matter.

INTRODUCTION Flanigan & Niemeyer, 2014) and

antithrombotic (Tohti et al., 2006) activity are
Ocimum basilicum belongs to the genus also highlighted. Over time, it has been shown
Ocimum, the Lamiaceae family and is a that some species of Ocimum have insecticidal
herbaceous plant, native to Africa, Asia, properties, and other species have ornamental
Central and South America (Snežana, 2017). qualities varying depending on the variety
Basil plants have been used since ancient times (Kintzios et al., 2004).
with a wide use in various industries, such as: Some phytochemical components such as
food industry as an aromatic plant (Ion et al., phenolic compounds, carotenes and essential
2020) being often used in gastronomy, oils are of particular interest due to their
pharmaceutical industry, as a medicinal plant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
used in various diseases like: headaches, (Zlotek et al., 2016). It is also a plant used in
intestinal parasites, cough and diarrhea (Labra organic farming to control pathogens (Galea-
et al., 2004). It has also been widely used in Deleanu, 2015; Hamburdă, 2016; Teliban,
perfumery as well as in dental and oral 2016).
products (Simon et al., 1990). Basil, also called the king of herbs, is one of
The therapeutic action of the plants of the the species that behaves very well in the
Lamiaceae family is due to the varied nutrient film technique system. It can be grown
composition of the chemical compounds all year round on a vertical farm where much
present in the volatile oil (Jailawi et al., 2019). higher yields can be obtained compared to the
The properties of basil are provided by the standard from greenhouse culture (Jailawi et
content of active substances it contains, having al., 2021).
an effect in preventing and treating digestive The main physiological processes involved in
disorders, cardiovascular disorders, menstrual plant growth and development are
cramps, diabetes and cancer (Purushothaman et photosynthesis, transpiration and respiration.
al., 2018). The anti-inflammatory (Raina et al., Photosynthesis is an important indicator in the
2016), antioxidant (Pandey et al., 2016; accumulation of organic substances.
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Assimilating pigments (chlorophyll a, b, of the extract, by reading the sample extinction
xanthophyll and carotene) have an essential at a spectrophotometer at three different
role in achieving this process. They also have wavelengths: 470 nm, 646 nm and 663 nm. The
beneficial effects on the human body such as: obtained results were expressed as mg 100 g-1
stimulating respiratory function and combating FW using the formula of Lichtenthaler &
anemia (chlorophyll), anticancer, antimicrobial, Wellburn (1983).
epithelializing and antioxidant effects attributed
to carotenes (Dumbravă et al., 2012). RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The objective of this study was to highlight the
main physiological parameters with an impact The intensity of the photosynthesis process
on plant growth and development using the in the leaves of the basil varieties
hydroponic system. From Table 1, the data analysis showed that the
value of photosynthesis intensity in the basal
MATERIALS AND METHODS leaves ranged from 2.92 µmol CO2 m-2s-1 for
'Aromat de Buzau' to 4.52 µmol CO2 m-2s-1for
The research were carried out within the 'Macedon', in the middle leaves ranged from
Hortinvest greenhouses, which belong to the 4.06 µmol CO2 m-2s-1 for 'Aromat de Buzău' to
Research Center for Studies of Food Quality 6.68 CO2 m-2s-1 for 'Macedon' variety while for
and Agricultural Products from USAMV of apical leaves ranged from 13.1 µmol CO2 m-2s-1
Bucharest, in the nutrient film technique (NFT) for 'Aromat from Buzău' to 7.18 µmol CO2 m-
2 -1
system. s for 'Crispum' variety. The results obtained
The biological material used was represented by Burzo & Mihăiescu (2005) for different
by the basil varieties: 'Macedon' (Figure 1), varieties of basil showed that the value of the
'Aromat de Buzău' (Figure 2), 'Crispum' (Figure photosynthesis process varied from 4.34 µmol
3) and 'Bulatum' (Figure 4) created in the CO2 m-2s-1 ('Citrodorum' variety) and 6.20
Vegetable Research and Development Station, µmol CO2 m-2s-1 ('Greek' variety).
Buzău, Romania. It should be noted that the value of
Different parameters (such as photosynthesis, photosynthesis intensity is higher in the
transpiration and respiration rate, water, apically located leaves compared to the basal
chlorophyll and dry substance content), have and middle leaves, this being due to a higher
been determined during the flowering exposure to light radiation.
phenophase, in May 2021, on the basal, middle The intensity with which the photosynthesis
and apical leaves. process takes place in order to biosynthesis the
The physiological parameters were analysed organic substances, ensures the growth and
according to the variety and the position of the development of the plants, directly influencing
leaves on the plant. The intensity of the the production.
photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration The leaves of plants perform the process of
process was determined with the LCPro+ photosynthesis according to the photosynthetic
automatic analyzer, directly in the field of type C3 being influenced by environmental
experience (700-800 µmol m-2s-1 light intensity factors, especially light, temperature, but also
and 31-320C). The results were expressed in by variety characteristics.
µmol of CO2 m-2s-1 for photosynthesis and
respiration, and the results for transpiration The intensity of the transpiration process
intensity were expressed in µmol H2O m-2s-1. in the leaves of the basil varieties
The amount of water and dry matter were The value of the transpiration intensity in the
determined by gravimetric analysis and basal leaves varied between 0.91 µmoles H2O
expressed as a percentage. The quantitative m-2s-1 for the 'Aromat de Buzau' variety and
analysis of the assimilating pigments was 1.84 µmoles H2O m-2s-1 for the 'Crispum'
performed through the Arnon variety. In the case of middle leaves, the value
spectrophotometric method, which is based on varied from 1.07 µmoles H2O m-2s-1 for the
the extraction of pigments in an organic solvent 'Aromat de Buzău' variety to 1.65 µmoles H2O
(80% acetone) and measuring the absorbance m-2s-1 for the 'Crispum' variety. In apical

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leaves, the highest value was in the 'Crispum' The analysed data show that the intensity of the
variety (3.80 µmol H2O m-2s-1) followed by the respiration process was lower in the basal
‘Aromat de Buzău' variety (3.08 µmol H2O leaves, compared to the leaves located apically.
m-2s-1). According to Brezeanu (2009), research on
Approximately 45% of the light absorbed by tomatoes has shown that the intensity of the
plants is converted into caloric energy which is respiration process is dependent on the degree
consumed in the process of transforming liquid of maturation of the leaves. Leaves with a more
water into steam (Burzo et al., 2004), thus advanced degree of maturation had lower
ensuring thermoregulation. It also has a role in respiratory intensity compared to young leaves.
avoiding the supersaturation of the cells with This process provides the biochemical energy
water and the generation of the suction force of needed for plant growth and development.
the leaf through which the ascending transport
of the raw sap takes place. Water and total dry matter content of the
basil varieties
Table 1. Results regarding some physiological The total dry matter contains organic
parameters in basal, middle and apical leaves of basil substances as well as soluble or insoluble
Photosynthesis intensity inorganic substances from plant cells, their
(µmol CO2 m-2s-1) accumulation in plant organs being largely due
Variety Leaves-flowering phenophase to the process of photosynthesis.
basal middle apical According to the data in Table 2, it is observed
Aromat de
that the value of the dry matter content was
2.92 4.06 13.1 higher for the apical leaves (16.17%) and the
Buzău
Macedon 4.52 6.83 8.94 lowest value was for the middle leaves (8.44%,
Crispum 3.72 5.44 7.18 'Crispum' variety).
Bulatum 3.88 6.68 9.14 The highest water content was in the leaves of
Transpiration intensity ( µmol H2O m-2s-1) the 'Macedon' variety. The other varieties had
Aromat de approximately the same values (Table 2).
0.91 1.07 3.08 The analysis of the obtained data showed that
Buzău
Macedon 1.50 1.55 1.99 the maximum value for the dry matter was
Crispum 1.84 1.65 3.80 obtained for the apical leaves (16.17% for
Bulatum 1.27 1.54 1.62 'Macedon' variety), while the minimum value
Respiration intensity (µmol CO2 m-2s-1) was recorded at the level of the middle leaves
Aromat (8.44% for 'Crispum' variety).
2.03 5.24 7.34
de Buzău
Macedon 1.83 2.95 3.28 Table 2. Dry matter and water content of basal, middle
Crispum 2.92 3.01 4.36 and apical leaves of basil
Bulatum 1.63 1.58 4.50 Dry matter (%)
Variety
basal middle apical
The intensity of the respiration process in Aromat
the leaves of the basil varieties 9.75 11.31 12.89
de Buzău
The intensity of the respiration process in the Macedon 12.05 11.64 16.17
basal leaves varied between 1.63 µmol of CO2
m-2s-1 in the 'Bulatum' variety and 2.92 µmol of Crispum 8.65 8.44 10.16
CO2 m-2s-1 in the 'Crispum' variety. In the Bulatum 9.51 9.35 11.41
middle leaves, the intensity of respiration was
higher in the 'Aromat de Buzău' variety (5.24 Water (%)
µmol CO2 m-2s-1) and the lowest value was for Aromat de
90.25 88.69 87.11
Buzău
the 'Bulatum' variety (1.58 µmol CO2 m-2s-1). In
the apical leaves, an increase in the intensity of Macedon 99.87 99.88 99.83
respiration was observed in the 'Aromat de Crispum 91.35 91.56 89.84
Buzău' variety (7.34 µmol CO2 m-2s-1) compared
Bulatum 90.49 90.65 88.89
to the other varieties studied (Table 1).

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Chlorophyll and carotenoids content of the Table 3. Total chlorophyll content (mg/100 g FW) of
studied varieties basil leaves in the varieties studied
The minimum value of the total chlorophyll Leaf position
Variety
content was obtained for the basal leaves basal middle apical
(56.92 mg/100 g FW, 'Crispum' variety) while
the maximum value was recorded for the apical Aromat de Buzău 77.14 99.99 130.28
leaves (159.89 mg/100 g FW, 'Macedon' Macedon 125.17 152.36 159.89
variety, Table 3). Crispum 56.92 71.90 99.36
The total chlorophyll content was higher for the Bulatum 78.64 90.31 112.03
'Crispum' variety (176.01 mg/100 g FW)
analyzed by Burzo & Mihăiescu (2005). Table 4.The chlorophyll a content (mg/100 g FW) of the
The data in Tables 4-5 showed that the basil varieties studied
minimum value of the chlorophyll a and b Leaf position
content was obtained for the 'Crispum' variety
Variety
(42.59 mg/100 g FW, chlorophyll a,
basis middle apical
respectively 14.33 mg/100 g FW, chlorophyll b
in the basal leaves) and the highest value was Aromat de Buzău 56.50 73.25 92.01
Macedon 89.77 99.07 100.59
recorded for the 'Macedon' variety (100.59 Crispum 42.59 54.67 74.43
mg/100 g FW, chlorophyll a, respectively 59.31 Bulatum 59.20 68.07 83.88
mg/100 g FW, chlorophyll b in the apical
leaves). Table 5. Chlorophyll b content (mg/100 g FW) of the
The content of chlorophyll pigments varies basil varieties studied
depending on the species, the age of the leaf
(Burzo et al., 2005) and the position of the leaf Leaf position
Variety
on the plant (Ionescu, 2011).
From the studies performed by Dumbravă et basal middle apical
al., 2012, it appears that basil contains a higher Aromat de Buzău 20.65 26.74 38.27
amount of chlorophyll pigments and Macedon 35.40 53.29 59.31
carotenoids compared to rosemary. Crispum 14.33 17.22 24.93
The chlorophyll a/b ratio varied between 1.70 Bulatum 19.44 22.23 28.15
mg/100 g FW in the apical leaves for the
'Macedon' variety and 3.06 mg/100 g FW in the Table 6. Clorophyll a/b content (mg/100 g FW) of the
varieties studied
middle leaves for the 'Crispum' variety (Table
6).
Leaf position
In terms of carotenoids pigments content, there Variety
was an increase in the 'Macedon' variety in the
basal middle apical
basal leaves 6.16 mg/100 g FW, 8.27 mg/100 g
FW in the middle leaves and apical leaves 9.63 Aromat de Buzău 2.74 2.74 2.40
mg/100 g FW (Table 7). Macedon 2.54 1.86 1.70
The amount of carotenoids in the apical leaves Crispum 2.97 3.17 2.99
of the 'Aromat de Buzău' variety had the same Bulatum 3.05 3.06 2.98
value as that obtained in the basal leaves of the
Table 7. Carotenoids content (mg/100 g FW) of the
'Macedon' variety (6.16 mg/100 g FW, Table 7). varieties studied
The chlorophyll/carotenoids ratio of the
'Macedon' variety ranged from 18.42 mg/100 g Leaf position
FW in the middle leaves to 22.97 mg/100 g FW Variety
in the basal leaves (Table 8). basal middle apical
The content of chlorophyll pigments is Aromat de Buzău 3.64 4.80 6.16
correlated in the case of many plants with the Macedon 6.16 8.27 9.63
intensity of the photosynthesis process and the Crispum 2.81 3.42 4.46
accumulation of nutrients in plants, Bulatum 3.75 4.25 5.57de
respectively (Aelenei et al., 2020).

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 Table 8. The ratio of total chlorophyll to carotenoids
(mg/100 g FW) in the varieties studied

Leaf position
Variety
basal middle apical
Aromat de Buzău 21.19 20.82 21.15
Macedon 22.97 18.42 16.61
Crispum 20.25 21.05 22.27
Bulatum 20.96 21.27 20.13

Figure 3. Morphological aspects

of Ocimum basilicum 'Crispum' variety

Figure 1. Morphological aspects of Ocimum basilicum

'Macedon' variety

Figure 4. Morphological aspects

of Ocimum basilicum 'Bulatum' variety

CONCLUSIONS

The plants under study are an essential resource

for future research on the use of these varieties
of basil in various industries. The results
obtained in terms of the studied parameters
(photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, dry
substance, and water content) varied depending
on the variety and position of the leaves on the
Figure 2. Morphological aspects of Ocimum basilicum.
plant. The 'Macedon' variety was noted for the
'Aromat de Buzău' variety intensity of its physiological processes, the
content of assimilating pigments, dry matter,
and water. The apical leaves showed a higher
intensity of physiological processes, in
comparison to the basal and middle leaves.

257
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