Basil as Secondary Crop in Cascade Hydroponics: Exploring Salinity Tolerance Limits in Terms of Growth, Amino Acid Profile, and Nutrient Composition

In a cascade hydroponic system, the used nutrient solution drained from primary crop is directed to secondary crop, enhancing resource-use efficiency while minimizing waste. Nevertheless, inevitably increased EC of drainage requires salinity-tolerant crops. The present study explored salinity-tolerance thresholds basil evaluate its potential use as in system. Two distinct but complemented approaches were used; first experiment examined response levels salinity (5, 10 and 15 dS m−1, compared with 2 m−1 control) identify limits, second employed system cucumber monitor responses 3.2 m−1. Growth, ascorbate content, concentration, total amino acid concentration profile determined both experiments. Various aspects growth biochemical performance collectively indicated 5 level upper limit/threshold tolerance stress. Higher considerably suppressed fresh weight production, though acids showed sevenfold increase under 4.5-fold control. was subject compromise between reduction produce an content. This outcome that performed well conditions study, might be good candidate for cascade-hydroponics systems.