Effect of three levels of solid substrates on the hydroponic production of basil (Ocimum basilicumL.), under protected environment

Abstract

The present study was developed in the municipality of El Alto, Bolivia, with the objective of determining the optimal combinations of varieties and substrates that maximize vegetative development, yield and commercial quality of basil under protected environment conditions. Agricultural production in the Altiplano is limited by adverse climatic conditions and the scarcity of fertile soils in some regions, which makes solid hydroponic cultivation an innovative alternative with high potential to improve productivity in this area. The research was carried out at 4000 m a.s.l., in an area of 24 m² under controlled conditions, using a completely randomized experimental design with a bifactorial arrangement. Two basil varieties were evaluated: Italian “Genovese” and National “Chuquisaqueña”, grown in three mixtures of solid substrates (sawdust, sand and ground brick) in different proportions. The agronomic variables analyzed were plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and width, green leaf fresh weight and yield.The treatment consisting of the Italian variety and the substrate with 60% sawdust, 30% sand and 10% ground brick showed the best performance in terms of leaf size, weight and yield. Although the benefit-cost analysis was not favorable in the short term due to the technology used, the productive results suggest that this technique could be a viable alternative for agriculture in the Bolivian Altiplano in the medium and long term.