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Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices

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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Protected Culture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2019) | Viewed by 98074

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Dr. Athanasios Koukounaras

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Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: cultivation techniques for vegetable production; quality of vegetable products; hydroponic vegetable production; postharvest physiology of vegetables; role of light on vegetables’ growth; quality of seedlings; quality and seed germination; vegetable grafting; innovative forms of vegetable products; organic cultivation of vegetables
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Dear Colleagues,

Greenhouse horticulture production is among the most intensive agricultural systems, requiring high inputs from growers. However, production practices have been changing due to the use of new technologies, increasing sensitivity to environmental issues, and consumer concerns about product quality, nutritional value (e.g., health-beneficial compound content), and safety (e.g., nitrate content), as well as adaptation to negative impacts of climate change.

The purpose of this Special Issue “Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices” is to present innovative studies, tools, approaches, and techniques that have been successful in addressing some of these concerns, such as use of shadow nets, new substrates, floating systems, closed soiless growing systems, LED lighting, microenvironment modification, energy-saving technologies, soil and media health and properties, role of propagation material (traditional varieties, grafting, etc.), and any other innovation that has improved the efficiency and sustainability of greenhouse horticultural crops, for the production of high quality commodities.

Dr. Athanasios Koukounaras
Guest Editor

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Keywords

product quality
soiless systems
climate control
supplementary/artificial lighting

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

5 pages, 183 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices

by Athanasios Koukounaras

Horticulturae 2021, 7(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7010001 - 24 Dec 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6662

Abstract

Greenhouse horticulture is one of the most intensive agricultural systems, with the advantages of environmental parameter control (temperature, light, etc.), higher efficiency of resource utilization (water, fertilizers, etc.) and the use of advanced technologies (hydroponics, automation, etc.) for higher productivity, earliness, stability of production and better quality. On the other hand, climate change and the application of high inputs without suitable management could have negative impacts on the expansion of the greenhouse horticulture sector. This special issue gathers twelve papers: three reviews and nine of original research. There is one review that focuses on irrigation of greenhouse crops, while a second surveys the effects of biochar on container substrate properties and plant growth. A third review examines the impact of light quality on plant–microbe interactions, especially non-phototrophic organisms. The research papers report both the use of new technologies as well as advanced cultivation practices. In particular, new technologies are presented such as dye-sensitized solar cells for the glass cover of a greenhouse, automation for water and nitrogen deficit stress detection in soilless tomato crops based on spectral indices, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and gibberellic acid supplementation on potted ornamentals, the integration of brewery wastewater treatment through anaerobic digestion with substrate-based soilless agriculture, and application of diatomaceous earth as a silica supplement on potted ornamentals. Research studies about cultivation practices are presented comparing different systems (organic-conventional, aeroponic-nutrient film technique (NFT)-substrate culture), quantitative criteria for determining the quality of grafted seedlings, and of wild species as alternative crops for cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

10 pages, 235 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of LED Lighting and Gibberellic Acid Supplementation on Potted Ornamentals

by Taylor Mills-Ibibofori, Bruce L. Dunn, Niels Maness and Mark Payton

Horticulturae 2019, 5(3), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5030051 - 15 Jul 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4156

Abstract

Use of light emitting diode (LED) technology is beginning to replace traditional lighting in greenhouses. This research focused on the effects of LED lighting and gibberellic acid supplementation on growth and flowering of Dahlia spp. ‘Karma Serena’, Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’, and Lilium asiatic ‘Yellow Cocotte’. Light treatments, used to extend photoperiod, included LED flowering lamps and halogen lamps that emitted a combination of red + far-red + white, red + white, and broad spectrum from late fall to early spring. Gibberellic acid treatments ranged from 40 to 340 mg L⁻¹ for Asiatic lily ‘Yellow Cocotte’, 50 to 250 for gayfeather ‘Kobold’, and 50 to 150 for dahlia ‘Karma Serena’. Results varied within species in response to light and gibberellic acid. A significant interaction of light with gibberellic acid influenced mean flower number and flowering percentage for dahlia ‘Karma Serena’, while flowering percentage and flower diameter were influenced for Asiatic lily ‘Yellow Cocotte’. Effect of light was most significant on growth and flowering measurements, especially for gayfeather ‘Kobold’ and dahlia ‘Karma Serena’. For gayfeather ‘Kobold’, flowering occurred two weeks earlier under sole LED lighting than under other light treatments and no supplemental light. Although flowering occurred the earliest for dahlia ‘Karma Serena’ under no supplemental light, plants under light treatments had greater height, width, and shoot weight. Significant effects of gibberellic acid on growth and flowering measurements for dahlia ‘Karma Serena’ and Asiatic lily ‘Yellow Cocotte’ were observed for height, width, and flower number. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

12 pages, 2014 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Anaerobically-Digested Brewery Wastewater as a Nutrient Solution for Substrate-Based Food Production

by Ignasi Riera-Vila, Neil O. Anderson, Claire Flavin Hodge and Mary Rogers

Horticulturae 2019, 5(2), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5020043 - 02 Jun 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4010

Abstract

Urban agriculture, due to its location, can play a key role in recycling urban waste streams, promoting nutrient recycling, and increasing sustainability of food systems. This research investigated the integration of brewery wastewater treatment through anaerobic digestion with substrate-based soilless agriculture. An experiment was conducted to study the performance of three different crops (mustard greens (Brassica juncea), basil (Ocimum basilicum), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown with digested and raw brewery wastewater as fertilizer treatments. Mustard greens and lettuce grown in digested wastewater produced similar yields as the inorganic fertilizer control treatment, while basil had slightly lower yields. In all cases, crops in the digested wastewater treatments produced higher yields than raw wastewater or the no fertilizer control, indicating that nutrients in the brewery wastewater can be recovered for food production and diverted from typical urban waste treatment facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

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15 pages, 2097 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance and Hydroponic Tomato Crop Quality Characteristics in a Novel Greenhouse Using Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Technology for Covering Material

by Georgios K. Ntinas, Kalliopi Kadoglidou, Nektaria Tsivelika, Konstantinos Krommydas, Apostolos Kalivas, Parthenopi Ralli and Maria Irakli

Horticulturae 2019, 5(2), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5020042 - 01 Jun 2019

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5697

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated crop productivity and physiology during the hydroponic cultivation of medium-sized and cherry tomato crops, using two experimental greenhouses. Of the greenhouses, one used dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technology for covering material, whilst the other, a conventional one (CONV), was covered using diffusion glass as a control. The effect of the colored lighting that resulted from the DSSC glass filtering on the physiological response of the crops was examined by measuring the plant transpiration rate and leaf chlorophyll content. Furthermore, we evaluated potential differences in the concentration of phytochemical compounds, such as ascorbic acid, lycopene, and quality characteristics. Tomato plants in the DSSC greenhouse presented lower early and total yields, as well as lower chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate values, especially in the medium-sized fruits, as compared to the CONV greenhouse. The DSSC greenhouse showed significantly higher values of bioactive compounds for both the cherry and medium-sized tomato, with increases in the ascorbic acid, lycopene, β-carotene, and total carotenoids concentration, which ranged from 6% to 26%. Finally, for both the hybrids, the 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) tests showed circa 10% and 5% increase, respectively, in the DSSC greenhouse. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

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12 pages, 228 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Use of Diatomaceous Earth as a Silica Supplement on Potted Ornamentals

by Taylor Mills-Ibibofori, Bruce Dunn, Niels Maness and Mark Payton

Horticulturae 2019, 5(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5010021 - 01 Mar 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5222

Abstract

The role of silica as a needed supplement in soilless media is gaining interest. This research studied the effects of diatomaceous earth as a supplement on growth and flower characteristics, physiology, and nutrient uptake in dahlia (Dahlia Cav. × hybrida ‘Dahlinova Montana’), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L. ‘Denver Daisy’), and daisy (Gerbera jamesonii L. ‘Festival Light Eye White Shades’). Plants were either well-watered at 10 centibars or water-stressed at 20 centibars. Silicon treatments included top-dressed at 20, 40, 60, and 80 g, or incorporated at 50, 100, 150, and 200 g, in Metro-Mix 360 media without silica plus a control and one treatment of new Metro-Mix 360 with silica already incorporated. Significant effects were seen from diatomaceous earth supplementation, irrigation, and interaction in all plants; growth and flower characteristics, leaf nutrient content, and tolerance to stress were improved by application of diatomaceous earth. An increase in leaf N, P, K, Mg, and Ca was observed for dahlia ‘Dahlinova Montana’ and black-eyed Susan ‘Denver Daisy’. Transpiration was maintained in all three species due to silica supplementation under water-stress. Metro-Mix with silica was similar to the Metro-mix without silica and equivalent to most treatments with supplemental silica for all three species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

10 pages, 836 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Assessing Quantitative Criteria for Characterization of Quality Categories for Grafted Watermelon Seedlings

by Filippos Bantis, Athanasios Koukounaras, Anastasios Siomos, Georgios Menexes, Christodoulos Dangitsis and Damianos Kintzonidis

Horticulturae 2019, 5(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5010016 - 02 Feb 2019

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3838

Abstract

Vegetable grafting is a practice employed worldwide since it helps prevent biotic and abiotic disorders, and watermelon is one of the most important species grafted. The objective of this study was to set critical limits for the characterization of quality categories for grafted watermelon seedlings. Specifically, watermelon (scion) seedlings were grafted onto squash (rootstock) seedlings, moved into a healing chamber for 7 days, and then transferred into a greenhouse for seven more days. At 7 and 14 days after grafting, experienced personnel assessed grafted seedling quality by categorizing them. The categories derived were Optimum and Acceptable for both time intervals, plus Not acceptable at 14 days after grafting. Optimum seedlings showed greater leaf area, and shoot and root fresh and dry weights at both time intervals. Moreover, they had greater stem diameter, root-to-shoot ratio, shoot dry weight-to-length ratio and Dickson’s quality index compared to the other category at 14 days after grafting. Therefore, Optimum seedlings would likely develop into marketable plants of high quality, with better establishment in the field. Not acceptable seedlings showed considerably inferior development, while Acceptable seedlings were between the other categories, but were still marketable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

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10 pages, 1039 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Evaluation of Two Wild Populations of Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop.) as a Potential Leafy Vegetable

by Marta Guarise, Gigliola Borgonovo, Angela Bassoli and Antonio Ferrante

Horticulturae 2019, 5(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5010013 - 01 Feb 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5359

Abstract

The minimally processed industry is always looking for produce innovation that can satisfy consumer needs. Wild leafy vegetables can be a good source of bioactive compounds and can be attractive for the consumer in term of visual appearance and taste. In this work, Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop., commonly called hedge mustard, was grown in a greenhouse and evaluated as a potential leafy vegetable. Two wild populations, Milano (MI) and Bergamo (BG), were grown in peat substrate and harvested at the commercial stage for the minimally processing industry. Leaf pigments such as chlorophyll and carotenoids were determined as well as chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters. Total sugars, antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid, phenolic index, total phenols, anthocyanins, and nitrate were determined at harvest. Significant differences between wild populations were found in April with higher nitrate content in BG, 2865 mg/kg FW than in MI, 1770 mg/kg FW. The nitrate levels of S. officinale measured in the present study are significantly lower than the maximum NO₃ level allowed in other fresh leafy vegetables. Ascorbic acid measured in November was higher in MI compared BG with values of 54.4 versus 34.6 mg/100 g FW, respectively. The chlorophyll a fluorescence data showed that BG reached optimal leaf functionality faster than MI. Overall results indicated that Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. can be suggested as a potential leafy vegetable for the minimally processed industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

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15 pages, 2084 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Automation for Water and Nitrogen Deficit Stress Detection in Soilless Tomato Crops Based on Spectral Indices

by Angeliki Elvanidi, Nikolaos Katsoulas and Constantinos Kittas

Horticulturae 2018, 4(4), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae4040047 - 23 Nov 2018

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4581

Abstract

Water and nitrogen deficit stress are some of the most important growth limiting factors in crop production. Several methods have been used to quantify the impact of water and nitrogen deficit stress on plant physiology. However, by performing machine learning with hyperspectral sensor data, crop physiology management systems are integrated into real artificial intelligence systems, providing richer recommendations and insights into implementing appropriate irrigation and environment control management strategies. In this study, the Classification Tree model was used to group complex hyperspectral datasets in order to provide remote visual results about plant water and nitrogen deficit stress. Soilless tomato crops are grown under varying water and nitrogen regimes. The model that we developed was trained using 75% of the total sample dataset, while the rest (25%) of the data were used to validate the model. The results showed that the combination of MSAVI, mrNDVI, and PRI had the potential to determine water and nitrogen deficit stress with 89.6% and 91.4% classification accuracy values for the training and testing samples, respectively. The results of the current study are promising for developing control strategies for sustainable greenhouse production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

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17 pages, 2530 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Yield, Quality, Antioxidants and Elemental Composition of New Leek Cultivars under Organic or Conventional Systems in a Greenhouse

by Nadezhda A. Golubkina, Timofey M. Seredin, Marina S. Antoshkina, Olga V. Kosheleva, Gabriel C. Teliban and Gianluca Caruso

Horticulturae 2018, 4(4), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae4040039 - 12 Nov 2018

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5884

Abstract

Leek (Allium porrum) is known for its high antioxidant activity and the ability to accumulate significant amounts of potassium and iron. We assessed yield, quality indicators, antioxidants and elemental composition of nine leek cultivars grown in greenhouses under organic or conventional systems in the Moscow region. The management system did not affect yield, which attained the highest value with the cultivar Giraffe and the lowest with Premier and Cazimir. Pseudo-stem dry matter and sugars were higher with organic management, whereas nitrate concentration was higher with conventional management. The cultivars Vesta and Summer Breeze showed the highest dry matter and total sugar content, whereas Goliath had the highest antioxidant, selenium and potassium concentrations. Among the antioxidants, ascorbic acid attained higher values with organic management. The antioxidant system of leek was characterized by highly significant positive correlations between: Se and polyphenols, Se and ascorbic acid, Se and K, ascorbic acid and polyphenols, ascorbic acid and K, polyphenols and K (r = 0.94, 0.94, 0.95, 0.94, 0.95, 0.96, respectively, at P ≤ 0.001). Negative correlations were recorded between leaf and pseudo-stem Se and between leaf and pseudo-stem polyphenols (r = −0.922 and −0.976, respectively, at P ≤ 0.001). Among the mineral elements, only K was significantly affected by the management system, showing a higher content in organically grown pseudo-stems. Varietal differences in pseudo-stem element composition showed strong positive correlations of: Al with As, Co, Li, Pb and V; Cr with I, Mg, Si, Ca; V with As, Co and Fe; negative correlations of Se with Cr and I. Compared to related species such as garlic (A. sativum), leek accumulated levels equal to garlic of K, Mg, P, Cd, Cu, Mn, Se, Zn, lower levels of Si and significantly higher amounts of Ca, Na, Al, As, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Sn, B, Co, Fe, I, Li. The strong relationships between quality, antioxidant and mineral components in leek plants may give wide possibilities in breeding programs for both conventional and organic management systems in greenhouses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

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9 pages, 9729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growth Responses and Root Characteristics of Lettuce Grown in Aeroponics, Hydroponics, and Substrate Culture

by Qiansheng Li, Xiaoqiang Li, Bin Tang and Mengmeng Gu

Horticulturae 2018, 4(4), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae4040035 - 24 Oct 2018

Cited by 72 | Viewed by 23175

Abstract

Aeroponics is a relatively new soilless culture technology which may produce food in space-limited cities or on non-arable land with high water-use efficiency. The shoot and root growth, root characteristics, and mineral content of two lettuce cultivars were measured in aeroponics, and compared with hydroponics and substrate culture. The results showed that aeroponics remarkably improved root growth with a significantly greater root biomass, root/shoot ratio, and greater total root length, root area, and root volume. However, the greater root growth did not lead to greater shoot growth compared with hydroponics, due to the limited availability of nutrients and water. It was concluded that aeroponics systems may be better for high value true root crop production. Further research is necessary to determine the suitable pressure, droplet size, and misting interval in order to improve the continuous availability of nutrients and water in aeroponics, if it is to be used to grow crops such as lettuce for harvesting above-ground parts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

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Review

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24 pages, 1497 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Light and Microbial Lifestyle: The Impact of Light Quality on Plant–Microbe Interactions in Horticultural Production Systems—A Review

by Beatrix W. Alsanius, Maria Karlsson, Anna Karin Rosberg, Martine Dorais, Most Tahera Naznin, Sammar Khalil and Karl-Johan Bergstrand

Horticulturae 2019, 5(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5020041 - 28 May 2019

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 7693

Abstract

Horticultural greenhouse production in circumpolar regions (>60° N latitude), but also at lower latitudes, is dependent on artificial assimilation lighting to improve plant performance and the profitability of ornamental crops, and to secure production of greenhouse vegetables and berries all year round. In order to reduce energy consumption and energy costs, alternative technologies for lighting have been introduced, including light-emitting diodes (LED). This technology is also well-established within urban farming, especially plant factories. Different light technologies influence biotic and abiotic conditions in the plant environment. This review focuses on the impact of light quality on plant–microbe interactions, especially non-phototrophic organisms. Bacterial and fungal pathogens, biocontrol agents, and the phyllobiome are considered. Relevant molecular mechanisms regulating light-quality-related processes in bacteria are described and knowledge gaps are discussed with reference to ecological theories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

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25 pages, 376 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Biochar on Container Substrate Properties and Growth of Plants—A Review

by Lan Huang and Mengmeng Gu

Horticulturae 2019, 5(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5010014 - 01 Feb 2019

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 8401

Abstract

Biochar refers to a processed, carbon-rich material made from biomass. This article provides a brief summary on the effects of biochar on container substrate properties and plant growth. Biochar could be produced through pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal carbonization of various feedstocks. Biochar produced through different production conditions and feedstocks affect its properties and how it performs when incorporated in container substrates. Biochar incorporation affects the physical and chemical properties of container substrates, including bulk density, total porosity, container capacity, nutrient availability, pH, electrical conductivity and cation exchange capacity. Biochar could also affect microbial activities. The effects of biochar incorporation on plant growth in container substrates depend on biochar properties, plant type, percentage of biochar applied and other container substrates components mixed with biochar. A review of the literature on the impact of biochar on container-grown plants without other factors (such as irrigation or fertilization rates) indicated that 77.3% of the studies found that certain percentages of biochar addition in container substrates promoted plant growth, and 50% of the studies revealed that plant growth decreased due to certain percentages of biochar incorporation. Most of the plants tested in these studies were herbaceous plants. More plant species should be tested for a broader assessment of the use of biochar. Toxic substances (heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxin) in biochars used in container substrates has rarely been studied. Caution is needed when selecting feedstocks and setting up biochar production conditions, which might cause toxic contaminants in the biochar products that could have negative effects on plant growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

20 pages, 1641 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Irrigation of Greenhouse Crops

by Georgios Nikolaou, Damianos Neocleous, Nikolaos Katsoulas and Constantinos Kittas

Horticulturae 2019, 5(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5010007 - 15 Jan 2019

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 10933

Abstract

Precision agricultural greenhouse systems indicate considerable scope for improvement of irrigation management practices, since growers typically irrigate crops based on their personal experience. Soil-based greenhouse crop irrigation management requires estimation on a daily basis, whereas soilless systems must be estimated on an hourly or even shorter interval schedule. Historically, irrigation scheduling methods have been based on soil or substrate monitoring, dependent on climate or time with each having both strengths and weaknesses. Recently, plant-based monitoring or plant reflectance-derived indices have been developed, yet their potential is limited for estimating the irrigation rate in order to apply proper irrigation scheduling. Optimization of irrigation practices imposes different irrigation approaches, based on prevailing greenhouse environments, considering plant-water-soil relationships. This article presents a comprehensive review of the literature, which deals with irrigation scheduling approaches applied for soil and soilless greenhouse production systems. Irrigation decisions are categorized according to whether or not an automatic irrigation control has the ability to support a feedback irrigation decision system. The need for further development of neural networks systems is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices)

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