Impact of Nitrogen Deficiency on Biomass Production, Morphological and Biochemical Characteristics of Sweet Basil (Ocimum Basilicum L.) Plants, Cultivated Aeroponically

Sweet Basil was grown aeroponically under three levels of NO3- N (25, 50 and 160ppm) fertilization. Dry biomass production, plants height, roots length and number of leaves were dramatically decreased in nitrogen deficient plants. In addition, net photosynthesis and transpiration rates and stomatal conductance were also restricted, indicating that the primary metabolism was severely limited by low nitrogen availability. In contrast, nitrate accumulation in the leaves strongly decreased in relation with decreased nitrogen supply rates into nutrient solution. Also, total phenolics concentration significantly increased in N-starved plants indicating that biosynthesis of secondary plant metabolites is favored in nitrogen deficient plants.