Silvana Nicola
"Last year, we tested soil-less basil cultivated with the NGS system. We tried 4 different fertilisation plans and obtained excellent aromatic profiles. This year, we have repeated the same experimental plan but have changed the cultivation techniques, as we have implemented a floating system. This way, we increased crop density. I'm convinced this system will enable producers to maximise the production per square metre compared to other systems using liquid or solid substrates. Not to mention this is a closed cycle system with no emissions."
Tests are being carried out in cooperation with the Department of Science and Medicine Technology in Turin. The harvested produce will be analysed after drying and de-humidifying, as maximising yields must not compromise flavour.
"We are working with basil because, in Italy, demand is well above supply. We want to understand which economically-sustainable process is better to obtain high-quality basil."
The research group will also analyse costs/benefits to understand how costs and quality change every time a new transplant cycle starts compared to the possibility of doing 2-3 cuts from the same plant.
Seeds, containers and cells are supplied by Vivai Ricca Sebastiano, a company which has always believed in research and innovation in the agricultural sector. Sebastiano Ricca has been cooperating with the research group for many years to supply the best plants trying to meet all soil-less crop demands.
Pietro Benedetti, Hydroponic techniques intern, reports that "transplants were carried out on May 17th and fertigation started on the same day. "We collected the data on pH, electric conductibility and temperature straight away and topped up the nutrient solution every 3 days. Plants were ready for harvesting on June 5th. We had 3000 plants per square metre with average yields of 3.6 kg/m2 and a total average water consumption of 20 L/Kg of product."
Contact information:
Silvana Nicola
Università degli Studi di Torino, DiSAFA, Gruppo Orticoltura e Colture Officinali
Largo Paolo Braccini 2
10095 Grugliasco (TO)
Email: silvana.nicola@unito.it
Pietro Benedetti, Hydroponic techniques intern, reports that "transplants were carried out on May 17th and fertigation started on the same day. "We collected the data on pH, electric conductibility and temperature straight away and topped up the nutrient solution every 3 days. Plants were ready for harvesting on June 5th. We had 3000 plants per square metre with average yields of 3.6 kg/m2 and a total average water consumption of 20 L/Kg of product."
Contact information:
Silvana Nicola
Università degli Studi di Torino, DiSAFA, Gruppo Orticoltura e Colture Officinali
Largo Paolo Braccini 2
10095 Grugliasco (TO)
Email: silvana.nicola@unito.it