# Crop selection for FlavoRotor

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Why basil, arugula, lettuce, mint and strawberry occupy different positions in the validation programme.

In brief

Why basil, arugula, lettuce, mint and strawberry occupy different positions in the validation programme.

## Selection criteria

A reference crop is selected by device fit, cycle length, commercial relevance, measurable sensory chemistry, published evidence and experimental tractability.

 |
 Crop | Programme role | Primary endpoint

 | Basil | first aroma programme | volatile profile and aroma discrimination

 | Arugula | pungency and nutrient-strength programme | flavour-related phytochemicals and sensory pungency

 | Lettuce | system repeatability and texture programme | growth, bitterness, texture and quality

 | Mint | essential-oil programme | menthol-related volatile profile and aroma intensity

 | Strawberry | phase-two fruit-quality programme | soluble solids, titratable acidity, VOCs, firmness and sensory response

Basil has the strongest initial combination of short cycle, hospitality relevance and direct light/mechanical sensory literature. [R01] [R02] [R03]

Strawberry is retained as a high-value application but follows root-zone and flowering validation because cultivation-system and cultivar effects are substantial. [R12] [R13] [R14] [R28]

## References

- [R01] Hammock, Hunter A.; Sams, Carl E. (2023). Variation in supplemental lighting quality influences key aroma volatiles in hydroponically grown 'Italian Large Leaf' basil. *Frontiers in Plant Science*. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1184664
- [R02] Seeburger, P.; Herdenstam, A.; Kurtser, P.; Arunachalam, A.; Castro-Alves, V. C.; Hyötyläinen, T.; Andreasson, H. (2023). Controlled mechanical stimuli reveal novel associations between basil metabolism and sensory quality. *Food Chemistry*. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134545
- [R03] Kolega, Simun; Miras-Moreno, Begoña; Buffagni, Valentina; Lucini, Luigi; Valentinuzzi, Fabio; Maver, Mauro; Mimmo, Tanja; Trevisan, Marco; Pii, Youry; Cesco, Stefano (2020). Nutraceutical Profiles of Two Hydroponically Grown Sweet Basil Cultivars as Affected by the Composition of the Nutrient Solution and the Inoculation With Azospirillum brasilense. *Frontiers in Plant Science*. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.596000
- [R12] Preciado-Rangel, Pablo; Troyo-Diéguez, Enrique; Valdez-Aguilar, Luis Alonso; García-Hernández, José Luis; Luna-Ortega, José Guadalupe (2020). Interactive Effects of the Potassium and Nitrogen Relationship on Yield and Quality of Strawberry Grown Under Soilless Conditions. *Plants*. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9040441
- [R13] Zebro, Mewuleddeg; Baek, Jeong-Hyeon; Kim, Minkyung; Jeong, Youngae; Rabbani, M. G.; Choi, Ki-Young (2025). Nutrient solution strength affects growth, physiology, biochemistry and fruit quality of Korean strawberry 'Kuemsil' in a recycling hydroponic system. *Frontiers in Plant Science*. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1685755
- [R14] Hutchinson, George Kerrigan; Nguyen, Lan Xuan; Ames, Zilfina Rubio; Nemali, Krishna; Ferrarezi, Rhuanito Soranz (2025). Substrate system outperforms water-culture systems for hydroponic strawberry production. *Frontiers in Plant Science*. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1469430
- [R28] Malorni, Livia; Di Renzo, Tiziana; Matarazzo, Cristina; Petriccione, Milena; Ferrara, Elvira; Capriolo, Giuseppe; Baruzzi, Gianluca; Sbrighi, Paolo; Cozzolino, Rosaria (2026). Strawberry Production in Soilless Culture Systems: A Comparative Analysis of Volatile Metabolites, Quality, and Sensory Traits in Three Cultivars. *Foods*. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15061072