Low Effort Management of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Growth in an Aeroponic System
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Authors
Vassallo, Adam
Date
2018-05
Type
thesis
Language
en
Keyword
Aeroponics
Alternative Title
Abstract
Empowering individuals in high-density urban environments with the tools to affordably grow
their own food with minimal effort could be a solution to sustainably increase global food
security. Aeroponic farming could potentially be used to achieve this goal. This study
investigates the low effort maintenance of basil (Ocimum basilicum) growth in an aeroponic
system. Aeroponic units that were supplied with nutrients and water at the start of a twentyeight-
day experiment (experimental treatment) were compared with units where the nutrients
and water were replaced on a weekly basis (reference treatment). This experiment was run
twice, the first trial under solar light, and the second trial under T5 fluorescent light. The
differences in biomass yields between trials was visibly noticeable, however not statistical
significantly different. The biomass yields between treatments was not statistically significantly
different. At the end of the first trial (solar light), the experimental treatment and reference
treatment had mean total wet weights of 0.0182 g and 0.0151 g respectively. At the end of the
second trial (T5 fluorescent light), the experimental treatment and reference treatment had
mean total wet weights of 1.6564 g and 1.6484 g respectively. Further research using a longer
experimental trial with more samples should be conducted to test for statistical biomass
variance between treatment groups and between trials.