Effects of Different LED Light Recipes and NPK Fertilizers on Basil Cultivation for Automated and Integrated Horticulture Methods

This study aims to optimize the conditions for “Genovese” basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
germination and growth in an indoor environment suitable for horticulture through a synergic effect
of light and fertilizers addition. In fact, several studies determined that specific light conditions
are capable of enhancing basil growth, but this effect is highly dependent on the environmental
conditions. In this study, the effect of different light sources was determined employing a soil
with a negligible amount of fertilizer, demonstrating substantial improvement when light-emitting
diode (LED) lights (hyper red and deep blue in different combinations) were applied with respect to
daylight (Plants height: +30%, Total fresh mass: +50%). Thereafter, a design of experiment approach
has been implemented to calculate the specific combination of LED lights and fertilizer useful
to optimize the basil growth. A controlled-release fertilizer based on nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium (NPK) derived from agro-residues was compared with a soil enriched in macronutrients.
The results demonstrate significant improvements for the growth parameters with the employment
of the controlled-release NPK with respect to enriched soil combined with a ratio of hyper red and
deep blue LED light equal to 1:3 (Total fresh mass: +100%, Leaves number: +20%).