Morphological, Physiological and Quality Performances of Basil Cultivars under Different Fertilization Types
, Gabriela Mihalache 1,2, Valtcho D. Zheljazkov 3, Ivayla Dincheva 4, Ilian Badjakov 4, Lorena-Diana Popa 5, Ilie Bodale 1, Nicolae-Valentin Vlăduț 6, Alexandru Cojocaru 1, Neculai Munteanu 1, Teodor Stan 1, Gianluca Caruso 7,* and Vasile Stoleru 1,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors in the article proved that the genotype represents an important factor, regardless of the fertilization type. This is important in the practical application of basil but lacks novelty and scientific significance. Inaccuracies are noted throughout the text, which is provided in the attached file (please see below).
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Reviewer 1.
The authors in the article proved that the genotype represents an important factor, regardless of the fertilization type. This is important in the practical application of basil but lacks novelty and scientific significance. Inaccuracies are noted throughout the text, which is provided in the attached file (please see below).
Answer:
Dear Reviewer,
thank you very much for your useful comments which have been addressed and all the modifications/amendments have been highlighted with the yellow colour, with the aim to improve the quality of our paper. Please, find below our answers to your comments.
The novelty of this paper consists of finding the most effective interaction between cultivar and fertilization type on basil yield and quality. Particularly, within the fertilization types we compared the organic and biological treatments to the conventional chemical one, under the perspective to replace the latter with the former ones which better meet the current demands for more sustainable crop systems and healthy food. In this respect, there are not so many literature reports examining all the mentioned topics in the same context.
We have added a related paragraph in the Abstract and Introduction sections.
- Introduction
In line 52, I suggest writing the Latin name in brackets.
Basil, Ocimum basilicum L., Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is
Answer: we have addressed the comment, as recommended.
- 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Experimental Site (page 3)
2.2. Experimental Design
Table 1. Meteorological conditions during the study
Meteorological conditions are presented in separate years, but the result data are presented as two-year averages. It might be appropriate to present multi-year averages of meteorological conditions. If you do not specify multi-year averages, the text should detail the influence of meteorological conditions. The data presented in Table 1 show that in 2019 and 2020 rainfall varied, especially during harvest. Couldn't that have affected the results?
Answer: there was a difference in the amount of precipitation in 2019 compared to 2020 as reported in Table 1, but from the beginning of August until harvest no precipitation was recorded in both years, that is why the average data of the two years have been shown. Moreover, drip irrigation was practiced, so that soil humidity was uniform across the plots.
The authors write where the basil cultivars are obtained from but do not specify their origin. Should it be indicated in the text (between lines 127-128) whether these are cultivars of local origin or foreign (if so, indicate the country, and breeding company)?
Answer: the basil cultivars used in the present study were created and multiplicated at the Vegetable Research Development Station in Buzau, Romania. According to the research cooperation between our team and the mentioned Institution, we received the seeds free of charge. I have included this information in the manuscript at line 139.
- Results
In Table 2 (page 5) you present the influence of cultivar and fertilization type on biometric characteristics. And on page 6, table 4 shows the interaction of cultivar and fertilization type on biometric characteristics. After comparing the research data (plant height, Ramifications, etc.), certain parameters should coincide in both tables. For example, the cultivar effect on Plant height for the ‘Cuisoare’ cultivar is 59.00 in table 2 and the mean is 58.61 ± standard errors in table 4 (page 6). The numbers in Table 2 should be clarified, or the reasons why they do not match should be indicated. The data in tables 3-5 and 6-7 should also be reviewed.
Answer: we have checked all the values in the mentioned Tables and corrected them in Table 2.
On page 9 (in line 307), the inflection point of the eigenvalue range shows that the first six principal components (please, specify what components?) should be analyzed.
Answer: dear Reviewer, based on your comment, we have modified the mentioned description, also deleting the Figure 2.
The article should unify the concepts and choose cultivars or varieties in all the text. For example, pages:
Abstract: in line 46 varieties cultivars
Results: in line 258 variety cultivar; in line 331 varieties cultivars
Discussion: in line 392 varieties cultivars (2 times); in line 394 varieties cultivars; in line 399 varieties cultivars; in line 404 varieties cultivars; in line 467 varieties cultivars; in line 469 varieties cultivars; in line
471 varieties cultivars
Answer: we addressed the mentioned comment, always using the word ‘cultivar’ across the text.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear authors, first of all, I would like to congratulate you on your article. There are some minor revisions and requests that I mentioned in the article. If these are done, there will be no problem for me. I wish you continued success.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Reviewer 2.
Dear authors, first of all, I would like to congratulate you on your article. There are some minor revisions and requests that I mentioned in the article. If these are done, there will be no problem for me. I wish you continued success.
Answer:
Dear Reviewer,
we wish to thank you very much for appreciating our article and providing useful comments, which we have addressed and highlighted the modifications/amendments with the yellow colour. Please, find below our answers to your comments.
You can benefit from the following reference as an extra for the introduction part;
Yilmaz, A., & Karik, Ü. (2022). AMF and PGPR enhance yield and secondary metabolite profile of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Industrial Crops and Products, 176, 114327.
Answer: we have included the recommended reference in the manuscript.
Line 305 Should be arrange
Answer: we have rearranged the text as recommended.
Line 309 Font is different here, check also the other legends
Answer: we have checked and modified the font according to the Journal requirements in all the figure legends.
Line 489-493 It has the same expressions as the summary; it will be better if these sentences are changed.
Answer: we have changed the summary text, as recommended.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
In this study with four basil cultivars (“Aromat de Buzau”, “Macedon”, “Cuisoare” and “Serafim”) grown in open field in Iasi, North East Romania, the fertilization with microorganisms (Micoseeds MB) led to the production of beneficial phenolic compounds and essential oil component in a larger amount compared to the organic (Orgevit) and chemical (Cristaland) fertilization. Also, the genotype has proved to be the factor showing a major influence, regardless of the fertilization type.
In the last sentence of the 2nd page conventional is written with a capital "C".
The term farming management was used in the title. According to the definition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, farm management is making and implementing of the decisions involved in organizing and operating a farm for maximum production and profit (Bliss, 2022). It has several practices that make it complex (Siqueira et al., 2021). Farm management combines the coordination of human, physical and financial resources to produce a commodity or service to be sold at a payable price, in a pleasant and acceptable work environment for those involved (Giles – Stansfield, 1990). Seems to be necessary to change the use of "farming management" to something else. Probably, the use of "open field in North-Eastern Romania" sees to be better.
It is important to mention in the title the "open field" circumstances. Sweet basil is the most popular culinary herb grown hydroponically. Basil yields in the late fall, winter and early spring can be improved through better management of air temperature, light and plant spacing (Currey, 2020). Production system and cultivar performance may vary across different locations, greenhouse environments, and cultural practices (Walters - Currey, C. J. 2015).
Orgevit is an organic and Micoseeds MB is a biological root phase fertilizer (Cojocaru et al., 2020). Orgevit is an OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) organic certified fertilizer produced from chicken manure imported from The Netherlands. OMRI is a nonprofit organization that provides an independent review of products, such as fertilizers, pest controls, livestock health care products, and numerous other inputs that are intended for use in certified organic production and processing. OMRI reviews input products to determine compliance with the USDA National Organic standards, the Canada Organic Regime (COR) standards and/or Mexican Organic Products Law (LPO). What about Europe?
Also, a little bit more needs to be explained about the used varieties. Readers not living in Romania probably do not know a lot about the Romanian varieties. Ocimum basilicum L. (sweetbasil) is a popular food seasoning belonging to the family Lamiaceae which is characterized by a great variability of morphology and chemotypes (Lawrence, 1988; Marottietal.,1996). Ocimum basilicum L. (Sweet basil) exhibits a great variety of cultivars grown for various purposes. A standardized descriptor list based on morphological traits was developed by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). This has led to the recent characterization of O. basilicum into six distinct morphotypes: Lettuce-leaf, Small-leaf, True basil, Purple basil (A), Purple basil (B) and Purple basil (C) (Carovic-Stanko et al., 2011). A large proportion of studies have concentrated on cultivars grown nationally, or on the elucidation of the taxonomic position of O. basilicum L., within the genus Ocimum. The most widely grown cultivars and varieties are O. basilicum Genovese, O. basilicum Sweet Basil, O. basilicum var. difforme, and O. basilicum var. purpurascens (Varga et al. ,2017). These four basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars ‘Aromat de Buzau’, ‘Serafim’, ‘Macedon’ and ‘Cuisoare’ have been studied earlier too (Teliban et al., 2021), but anyway they need a little bit more information to the people outside Romania.
Also, one publication seems to be involved, despite that the study was made in a greehouse environment: Bufalo, J., Cantrell, C., Astatkie, T., Zheljazkov, V., Gawde, A., Fernandes, C. (2015): Organic versus conventional fertilization effects on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) growth in a greenhouse system. Industrial Crops and Products, 74, 249–254.
Resources
Bufalo, J., Cantrell, C., Astatkie, T., Zheljazkov, V., Gawde, A., Fernandes, C. (2015): Organic
versus conventional fertilization effects on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) growth in a
greenhouse system. Industrial Crops and Products, 74, 249–254.
Carović-Stanko, K., Liber, Z., & Politeo, O., Strikić, F., & Kolak, I., Milos, M., & Šatović, Z.
(2011): Molecular and chemical characterization of the most widespread Ocimum
species. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 294(3), 253-262.
Cojocaru, A., Vlase, L., Munteanu, N., Stan, T., Teliban, G. C., Burducea, M., Stoleru, V.
(2020): Dynamic of Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Yield of Rhubarb
under Chemical, Organic and Biological Fertilization. Plants, 9(3), 355.
Giles, A. K., Stansfield, M. (1990): The Farmer as Manager. 2nd edition, CABI Publishing,
Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK
Lawrence, B.M., (1988): A further examination of the variation of Ocimum basilicumL. In:
Lawrence, B. M., Mookerjee, B. D., Willis, B. J. (Eds.), Flavors and fragrances: A world
perspective. Elsevier Sci. Publ. B. V, Amsterdam, pp. 161–170.
Marotti, M., Piccaglia, R., Giovanelli, E., (1996): Differences in essential oil composition of basil
(Ocimum basilicum L.): Italian cultivars related to morphological characteristics. Journal
of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 44, 3926–3929.
Siqueira, E. S., Binotto, E., Oliveira, A. B. B., Silva, R. A., Siqueira Filho, V., Bunsit, T. (2021):
Management in family farming: Evidence from settlements. Revista De Administração
Da UFSM, 14(4), 888–906.
Teliban, G.-C., Burducea, M., Zheljazkov, V. D., Dincheva, I., Badjakov, I., Munteanu, N.,
Mihalache, G., Cojocaru, A., Popa, L.-D., Stoleru, V. (2021): The Effect of Myco
Biocontrol Based Formulates on Yield, Physiology and Secondary Products of
Organically Grown Basil. Agriculture, 11(2), 180.
Varga, F., Carović-Stanko, K., Ristic, M., Grdisa, M., Liber, Z., Satovic, Z. (2017):
Morphological and biochemical intraspecific characterization of Ocimum basilicum L.,
Industrial Crops and Products, 109, 611-618,
Walters, K. J., Currey, C. J. (2015): Hydroponic Greenhouse Basil Production: Comparing
Systems and Cultivars, HortTechnology, 25(5), 645-650.
Internet
Bliss, Milton E. "farm management". Encyclopedia Britannica, Invalid Date, https://www.britannica.com/topic/farm-management. Accessed 30 November 2022.
Currey, C. J. (2020): Managing basil production throughout the year. Produce Grower, GIE Media, Inc., Valley View, OH, USA, https://www.producegrower.com/article/hydroponic-production-primer-managing-basil-production-throughout-the-year/
I
Author Response
Reviewer 3.
In this study with four basil cultivars (“Aromat de Buzau”, “Macedon”, “Cuisoare” and “Serafim”) grown in open field in Iasi, North East Romania, the fertilization with microorganisms (Micoseeds MB) led to the production of beneficial phenolic compounds and essential oil component in a larger amount compared to the organic (Orgevit) and chemical (Cristaland) fertilization. Also, the genotype has proved to be the factor showing a major influence, regardless of the fertilization type.
Answer:
Dear Reviewer, thank you very much for your useful comments, which we have addressed and highlighted the modifications/amendments with the yellow colour. Please, find below our answers to your comments.
In the last sentence of the 2nd page conventional is written with a capital "C".
Answer: we have addressed the comment, as recommended.
The term farming management was used in the title. According to the definition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, farm management is making and implementing of the decisions involved in organizing and operating a farm for maximum production and profit (Bliss, 2022). It has several practices that make it complex (Siqueira et al., 2021). Farm management combines the coordination of human, physical and financial resources to produce a commodity or service to be sold at a payable price, in a pleasant and acceptable work environment for those involved (Giles – Stansfield, 1990). Seems to be necessary to change the use of "farming management" to something else. Probably, the use of "open field in North-Eastern Romania" sees to be better. It is important to mention in the title the "open field" circumstances.
Answer: dear Reviewer, as you recommended we have modified the title, replacing ‘farming management’ with ‘different fertilization types’.
Sweet basil is the most popular culinary herb grown hydroponically. Basil yields in the late fall, winter and early spring can be improved through better management of air temperature, light and plant spacing (Currey, 2020). Production system and cultivar performance may vary across different locations, greenhouse environments, and cultural practices (Walters - Currey, C. J. 2015).
Orgevit is an organic and Micoseeds MB is a biological root phase fertilizer (Cojocaru et al., 2020). Orgevit is an OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) organic certified fertilizer produced from chicken manure imported from The Netherlands. OMRI is a nonprofit organization that provides an independent review of products, such as fertilizers, pest controls, livestock health care products, and numerous other inputs that are intended for use in certified organic production and processing. OMRI reviews input products to determine compliance with the USDA National Organic standards, the Canada Organic Regime (COR) standards and/or Mexican Organic Products Law (LPO). What about Europe?
Also, a little bit more needs to be explained about the used varieties. Readers not living in Romania probably do not know a lot about the Romanian varieties. Ocimum basilicum L. (sweetbasil) is a popular food seasoning belonging to the family Lamiaceae which is characterized by a great variability of morphology and chemotypes (Lawrence, 1988; Marottietal.,1996). Ocimum basilicum L. (Sweet basil) exhibits a great variety of cultivars grown for various purposes. A standardized descriptor list based on morphological traits was developed by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). This has led to the recent characterization of O. basilicum into six distinct morphotypes: Lettuce-leaf, Small-leaf, True basil, Purple basil (A), Purple basil (B) and Purple basil (C) (Carovic-Stanko et al., 2011). A large proportion of studies have concentrated on cultivars grown nationally, or on the elucidation of the taxonomic position of O. basilicum L., within the genus Ocimum. The most widely grown cultivars and varieties are O. basilicum Genovese, O. basilicum Sweet Basil, O. basilicum var. difforme, and O. basilicum var. purpurascens (Varga et al. ,2017). These four basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars ‘Aromat de Buzau’, ‘Serafim’, ‘Macedon’ and ‘Cuisoare’ have been studied earlier too (Teliban et al., 2021), but anyway they need a little bit more information to the people outside Romania.
Also, one publication seems to be involved, despite that the study was made in a greehouse environment: Bufalo, J., Cantrell, C., Astatkie, T., Zheljazkov, V., Gawde, A., Fernandes, C. (2015): Organic versus conventional fertilization effects on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) growth in a greenhouse system. Industrial Crops and Products, 74, 249–254.
Answer: we have addressed your recommendations (lines 54-55, 138-147) and included the suggested references in addition to other ones, as reported below.
Reference included in the text.
Walters, K. J., Currey, C. J. (2015): Hydroponic Greenhouse Basil Production: Comparing Systems and Cultivars, HortTechnology, 25(5), 645-650.
Bufalo, J., Cantrell, C., Astatkie, T., Zheljazkov, V., Gawde, A., Fernandes, C. (2015): Organic versus conventional fertilization effects on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) growth in a greenhouse system. Industrial Crops and Products, 74, 249–254.
Cojocaru, A., Vlase, L., Munteanu, N., Stan, T., Teliban, G. C., Burducea, M., Stoleru, V. (2020): Dynamic of Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Yield of Rhubarb under Chemical, Organic and Biological Fertilization. Plants, 9(3), 355.
Carović-Stanko, K., Liber, Z., & Politeo, O., Strikić, F., & Kolak, I., Milos, M., & Šatović, Z.
(2011): Molecular and chemical characterization of the most widespread Ocimum
species. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 294(3), 253-262.
Teliban, G.C.; Stoleru, V.; Burducea, M.; Lobiuc, A.; Munteanu, N.; Popa, L.D.; Caruso, G. Biochemical, physiological and yield characteristics of red basil as affected by cultivar and fertilization. Agriculture 2020, 10, 48.
Varga, F., Carović-Stanko, K., Ristic, M., Grdisa, M., Liber, Z., Satovic, Z. (2017):
Morphological and biochemical intraspecific characterization of Ocimum basilicum L.,
Industrial Crops and Products, 109, 611-618,
Stoleru, V., Munteanu, N., Hura, C. Organophosphorus pesticide residues in soil and vegetable, through different growing systems. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2015, 14(6), 1465-1473 http://omicron.ch.tuiasi.ro/EEMJ/
Yilmaz, A., & Karik, Ü. (2022). AMF and PGPR enhance yield and secondary metabolite profile of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Industrial Crops and Products, 176, 114327.
Comite, E.; El-Nakhel, C.; Rouphael, Y.; Ventorino, V.; Pepe, O.; Borzacchiello, A.; Vinale, F.; Rigano, D.; Staropoli, A.; Lorito, M.; et al. Bioformulations with Beneficial Microbial Consortia, a Bioactive Compound and Plant Biopolymers Modulate Sweet Basil Productivity, Photosynthetic Activity and Metabolites. Pathogens 2021, 10, 870. https://doi.org/10.3390/ pathogens10070870.
Sęczyk, Ł., Ozdemir, F.A., Kołodziej, B. In vitro bioaccessibility and activity of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) phytochemicals as affected by cultivar and postharvest preservation method – Convection drying, freezing, and freeze-drying. Food Chem. 2022, 382, 132363. DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132363
Sutuliene, R.; Laužike, K.; Pukas, T.; Samuoliene, G. Effect of Light Intensity on the Growth and Antioxidant Activity of Sweet Basil and Lettuce. Plants 2022, 11, 1709. https://doi.org/10.3390/ plants11131709.
de la Portilla, N.; Vaca, R.; Mora-Herrera, M.E.; Salinas, L.; del Aguila, P.; Yañez-Ocampo, G.; Lugo, J. Soil Amendment with Biosolids and Inorganic Fertilizers: Effects on Biochemical Properties and Oxidative Stress in Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Agronomy 2020, 10, 1117. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081117
Onofrei, V., Burducea, M., Lobiuc, A., Teliban, G.C., Ranghiuc, G., ROBU, T. Influence of organic foliar fertilization on antioxidant activity and content of polyphenols in Ocimum basilicum L. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica - Drug Research, 2017, 74 (2).
Gavrić, T., Jurković, J., Gadžo, D., Čengić, L., Sijahović, E., Bašić, F. Fertilizer effect on some basil bioactive compounds and yield. Ciência e Agrotecnologia, 2021, 45:e003121, http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1413-7054202145003121.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
