The objective of this study was to optimize the cultural and environmental conditions necessary to produce high quality basil in a semi-arid climate during summer. Basil grown in a retractable roof greenhouse (RRGH) and full sun over two years using production systems including rockwool, containers, raised beds, vertical towers, and soil was evaluated based on biomass accumulation, morphological characteristics and quality. Photosynthetic response of basil to temperature and light was tested in a growth chamber to determine the optimum conditions that enhance photosynthesis and increase productivity. Biomass accumulation and quality of basil were affected by environment and cultural practices, with the largest quantities of highest quality basil produced in rockwool or raised beds in the RRGH. The response of basil to light and temperature indicated that highest photosynthesis during summer occurred between temperatures of 25 to 35 °C at a light intensity of 1500 μmol m⁻¹ s⁻¹.

Since Ferrero SpA established a manufacturing plant in Brantford, Ontario, there has been considerable interest in developing a hazelnut industry locally. One of the issues that needs to be overcome is to supply large numbers of suitable plants rapidly. They can be micropropagated, and then grown in the nursery. Usually, it takes two years to grow suitably sized plants in the nursery. This thesis investigated methods to grow suitably sized plants in one year and evaluated the nursery systems from financial aspect. Hazelnut seedlings were planted in ellepots and plastic pots, and then subjected to three treatments: grown in a retractable roof greenhouse, treated with root pruning technology or grown in outdoor environment. Also, two transplant timings were tested: the fall of 2011 and the spring of 2012. The results showed that pot type did not influence the growth of hazelnut seedlings. The retractable roof greenhouse increased growth and the root pruning technology changed the seedlings root structure but not their growth. Transplant timing did not affect the seedlings growth in the first year in the field. The retractable roof greenhouse has the potential to produce two crops of seedlings in one growing season compared to one crop in the outdoor nursery. The estimated cost per seedling under retractable roof greenhouse was $9.31, which was $1.95 cheaper than outdoor. / Ontario Centres of Excellence and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

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