Abstract
Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a hairy pubescent herb known throughout the world for its folk medicinal uses, as well as for many culinary uses. There is still little information on the cultivation needs of this species, especially for its use as vegetable crop and as fresh-cut produce. Hence, the aim of the research was to study the effects of agronomic practices on yield and quality of borage and on the storability as minimally-processed product. Two experiments were carried out in two consecutive years in order to evaluate the effect of plant density and plastic mulching on yield and quality of two borage accessions at harvest and during storage as minimally-processed produce for 14 days at 4 °C. The highest plant density (8 plants m2) determined the highest yield of plants and minimally-processed leaves with good quality retention during storage. Mulching had a positive effect on earliness, yield, and shelf life of minimally-processed leaves but also increased nitrate accumulation and reduced ascorbic acid content. Borage plants with lower spacing grown on mulched soil showed the best yield of plants and minimally-processed leaves irrespective of the borage accession tested. Borage plants can be used to produce minimally-processed entire leaves with good quality characteristics.
Highlights
Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a hairy pubescent herb of the Boraginaceae family
Plant growth was mostly influenced by borage accessions, while no effect due to plant density was recorded on plant development
The borage accessions tested showed to be suitable for vegetable production and to have low cultivation needs as regard water and nutrients during the autumn–winter season in the Mediterranean area
Summary
Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a hairy pubescent herb of the Boraginaceae family. It is considered native of both the Mediterranean area and Asia, widely present in Mediterranean countries and naturalized in many other regions. This plant is known throughout the world for its folk medicinal uses [1], as well as for preparing beverages and salads and for other culinary uses [2]. The seeds are rich of gamma-linolenic acid (more than 20% of GLA) that confers to the borage oil many potential medical uses: as antithrombotic, to lower blood pressure and inhibiting cholesterol formation, for treating atopic eczema [12], inflammatory disorders, Alzheimer’s
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