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Basil...a Hardy and Profitable Crop for Aquaponic Farming
by Rebecca Nelson

Basil is the most commonly grown herb in aquaponic and hydroponic systems due to its hardy nature and marketability.  Basil is an annual herb, a member of the Mint family and is native to India, Africa, Japan, Persia, and Malaysia.  Basil has become a very popular herb to cook with and lends itself well to cuisines from around the world. The pungent fragrance and sharp taste provide an interesting contrast in salads, sauces, pasta dishes, soups, stews and with fish.   

In aquaponics, basil thrives on the nutrients provided by the fish waste.  Basil will do well in any of the common aquaponic systems including raft, NFT or media-filled bed.  Advantages of growing basil in aquaponics include rapid growth, dense plant spacing, low nutrient demand, good base of research and data and a good market throughout the US. 

Some varieties can grow to a height of 2 1/2 feet.  Foliage colors range from pale to deep green, vivid purple and even purple laced with golden yellow foliage. Texture varies from silky and shiny to dull and crinkly. 

There are many varieties of basil, each with a distinct flavor, color and leaf shape.  Sweet basil is the fastest-growing and most common.  It is sold in grocery stores throughout the US.   Genovese and Nufar are two varieties of sweet basil that do very well in aquaponics.    Thai Basil, Lemon Basil, Cinnamon, Green ruffles, Purple ruffles, Lime and Opal are other varieties of basil that will do well in aquaponics and have niche markets throughout the US. 

Specializing in growing numerous varieties of basil allows a commercial farmer to grow and market a variety of plants with one basic set of environmental and nutrient requirements. 

Growing Conditions:

Basil can be planted very densely in an aquaponic system with typical spacing being a plant every eight square inches (approx 24 plants/m2).    

Basil can survive in a wide range of temperatures but does best between 68-75o F (20-24o C)  Basil likes good light but may need to be shaded on long, hot summer days.  If artificial lights are used to extend day length in the winter, the production levels are substantially higher.    

Seed Propagation:

Basil seeds germinate in 4 - 7 days at a temperature of 70o F (21o C).  Once the plants are approximately 2 weeks old, seedlings should be spread out in the rafts, NFT channels or growing medium and spaced 8 inches apart.

Harvesting:

Commercially basil is grown for either clippings or whole plant harvest.  When taking clippings, the new, fresh leaves are cut at the leaf axel.  The leaves are usually sold in bunches or packaged in clear plastic containers that hold an ounce or two.   A new basil plant will be ready to take clippings from at about 4-5 weeks and new clippings can be taken every 1-2 weeks for 2-3 months.   

When harvested as whole plants, the entire plant, including the root mass, is removed from the system and often packaged in a clear plastic sleeve.   This method has been used for many years on hydroponic lettuce and is now becoming a very popular way of harvesting and selling basil.  The advantages to this method are clear...the plant stays fresher longer with the roots intact and there is less labor with a one-time harvest.  

Uses of Basil

The best way to use basil is fresh and that is how most aquaponic and hydroponic growers sell it.  There are some options for growers to offer unique post-harvest basil products that can be processed when an abundance of basil is grown.  Pesto is a popular sauce made of basil, olive oil, garlic, salt and pine nuts.   Pesto can be sold fresh or jarred. Basil can also be dried and bottled for sale.  To dry basil, place the leaves in a dehydrator for approximately 8 hours.   

Basil is traditional in Italian, Mediterranean and Thai cookery. It is superb with veal, lamb, fish, poultry, white beans, pasta, rice, tomatoes, cheese and eggs.  It blends well with garlic, thyme and lemon. Basil adds zip to mild vegetables and to the soups, stews and sauces in which these vegetables appear.  Basil is also one of the ingredients in the liqueur chartreuse.   Basil is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron. The leaves contain 14% protein and 60% carbohydrates.  Basil has some medicinal properties. It is said to soothe stomach aches and is used for mild nervous disorders (sedative effect) and rheumatic pains. 

Conclusion

Basil is a fun crop to grow for hobbyists and can be a profitable crop for commercial growers. 

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