Publicaties

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a hepatotoxic metabolite that naturally occurs during some cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic waterbodies, and irrigation of edible plants with MC-LR-contaminated water causes bioaccumulation of the toxin. However, sufficient information about accumulation and depuration mechanics in hydroculture-grown herb plants is still lacking. This work aimed at 1) investigating bioaccumulation and depuration of MC-LR in basil, 2) ...

The physiological control of stomatal opening by which plants adjust for water availability has been extensively researched. However, the impact of water availability on stomatal development has not received as much attention, especially for amphistomatic plants. Therefore, the acclimation of stomatal development in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) leaves was investigated. Our results show that leaves developed under water-deficit conditions possess ...

Consumers demand that the sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plants they purchase in plant containers are healthy, undamaged, compact, and green with a long shelf life. Growers have to meet these quality standards throughout the year. However, the variation in environmental factors that plants experience in open or greenhouse production makes it challenging to reach this goal. This drives the sector towards even more controlled cultivation ...

Photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) refers to photons between 400 and 700 nm. These photons drive photosynthesis, providing carbohydrates for plant metabolism and development. Far-red radiation (FR, 701–750 nm) is excluded in this definition because no FR is absorbed by the plant photosynthetic pigments. However, including FR in the light spectrum provides substantial benefits for biomass production and resource-use efficiency. We investigated ...

Vertical farms and plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) make it possible to improve the use efficiency of inputs like surface, water, and nutrients and to grow crops without or reduced use of pesticides. Herbs have a high potential to be grown in PFALs. Energy and lighting costs are still high, but light-emitting diodes (LEDs) allow to develop species-specific spectra which optimize yield and qualitative traits. In the present ...

Ocimum basilicum is a valuable source of bioactive metabolites with high preventive and therapeutic effectiveness. Here we aimed to investigate the effect of phenological stages (vegetative and flowering stages) on essential oil composition and biological activities of two varieties of O. basilicum (Fino Verde variety and Genovese varieties). To this end, the level of essential oils, flavonoids and phenols, as well as antioxidant and antifungal ...

As plants would benefit from adjusting and optimizing their architecture to changing environmental stimuli, ensuring a strong and healthy plant, it was hypothesized that different soil moisture levels would affect xylem and collenchyma development in basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Marian) stems. Four different irrigation set-points (20, 30, 40 and 50% VWC), corresponding respectively to pF values of 1.95, 1.65, 1.30 and 1.15, were applied. Basil ...

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an important aromatic herb cultivated worldwide. As a vegetative crop it offers a short cultivation cycle creating high commercial value. For Belgium, basil is mostly grown in greenhouses. Although plants are cultivated in a highly controlled, technological cultivation system, several challenges remain. The aim of this research project was to optimize light use in the commercial cultivation of basil, both in ...