Optimizing growing conditions for hydroponic farming of selected medicinal and aromatic plants

ABS T R A C T This work presents a pipeline for optimizing semi-hydroponic growth conditions and analyzes the impact on the growth and metabolism in three Mentha species (M . arvensis, M. x piperita, or M. spicata) and three Ocimum basilicum genotypes (Chl ' adek cerven ' a,Litra, or M ' anes). The plant gro w t h and the content-of nitrogen-containing compounds, phenolics, and terpenoids were determined under different nitrate concentrations and salt stress. Different responses were observed among genotypes for both species.Chl ' adek cerven ' a had the best growth under low nitrate, with lower histamine and higher flavonoid levels. Mentha x piperita was the best mint species per-forming under low nitrate and salt stress. Altogether, we demonstrate that a combination of phenomics and metabolomics is ideal to identi f y the optimal growth conditions for these plants and the chemical markers associated with these conditions. Besides, we showed that both prima r y and seconda r y metabolites can be good markers for classifying both species.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the combination of phenomics and metabolomics to identify optimal growth conditions for three Mentha species and three Ocimum basilicum genotypes. Primary and secondary metabolites are shown to be good markers for classifying both species, with different responses observed among genotypes under varying nitrate concentrations and salt stress. The study highlights the importance of utilizing chemical markers associated with ideal growth conditions for these plants.