Organic Management Approaches and Practices to Support Sustainable Horticultural and Fruit Plants Production

The United Nations’ sustainable development goals encompass achieving food security, improving nutrition, eradicating hunger and poverty, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring healthy living. In contrast, food security must align with food safety and stability, and limited access or reduced availability of safe and nutritious foods heightens the risks of malnutrition, hunger, and food insecurity. All stages of agricultural activities, including cultivation, production, distribution, storage, and consumption of agricultural products, directly impact food quality, safety, sustainability, and human health. However, the intensive and prolonged use of chemical inputs in agriculture negatively impacts the environment, biodiversity, natural resources, and human health [1]. As a result, food security may be threatened by the excessive use of chemical inputs that impact sustainability.

Consequently, the adoption of organic farming and agroecological approaches is required to reduce the reliance on chemical inputs in agriculture and the harmful effects of chemical products on humans, animals, and the environment [2]. For example, the selection of resistant varieties, biodiversity preservation, soil fertility improvement using natural resources and biofertilizers, the development of pests and diseases monitoring strategies, the minimization of excessive use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides, the innovation of integrated pest management technologies implementing biological control agents and biopesticides, and the adoption of climate-smart agriculture are essential strategies for sustainable production and environmental safety [2]. In this Special Issue of Agriculture, therefore, we considered scientific contributions regarding organic farming, and agroecological and environmentally friendly approaches and strategies for the safe and sustainable production of horticultural and fruit crops.

In the first paper, Do et al. [3] highlighted that apple cultivation under heat stress conditions adversely impacted fruit quality (size, sugar, and acidity) and pigment accumulation in fruit peels (anthocyanins and carotenoids), and increased physiological disorders (cracking and pathogen infection). On the other hand, apple cultivation under a water mist spraying system on the top of the trees improved quality attributes (sugars, acidity, texture, and color) and reduced fruit cracking. Their study concluded that heat reduction using a water mist spraying system may be beneficial for sustainable and stable apple production amid rising temperatures induced by climate change. Climate-adaptation-focused agricultural approaches are therefore essential for addressing the impact of climate change on agriculture.

In the second paper, Tian et al. [4] focused on the selection of powdery mildew-resistant varieties to enhance the resilience of thick-skinned melon varieties in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China. The introduction or selection of resistant varieties is a fundamental step in enhancing disease resistance and incorporating genetic variants and modifications to advance melon breeding. Additionally, their study concluded that the selection of resistant varieties can minimize dependence on pesticides and fungicides in melon cultivation, leading to sustainable production and environmental security.

In the third paper, Tăbăraşu et al. [5] developed a hybrid percolation-ultrasound method to produce biofertilizer extracts from nettle and sage plants, which was then tested on tomato plants. These biofertilizer extracts positively impacted both the vegetative properties and tomato fruit yields. Their findings are valuable for improving soil structure and fertility and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, as well as production costs. Their study concluded that this technology could be an alternative to chemical fertilizers for improving tomato crop yield and quality. However, pest sensitivity to these biofertilizers still remains to be determined in future research.

In the fourth paper, Xie et al. [6] examined the impact of leguminous green manure intercropping practices, specifically of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa R.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) green manures, on enhancing soil health and fertility in the acidic soils of citrus (Citrus reticulata) orchards in Southwestern China. Intercropping is an alternative method of enhancing soil microbiomes and nutrients in fruit plants and increasing biomass production. Their study highlighted that intercropping using green manures showed potential for the sustainable production of citrus crops, thereby enriching soil microbial community, changing soil biodiversity, improving soil health, and increasing productivity.

In the fifth paper, Boualleg et al. [7] controlled the causal pathogen of apple scab disease (Venturia inaequalis) in Spain through environmentally friendly inoculum management strategies, including the removal of fallen leaves in winter and the treatment of ground leaves with a biological agent (Trichoderma asperellum, T34 BIOCONTROL^®). This strategy can minimize the substantial use of chemical fertilizers in apple production, improve plant health, and maintain the ecosystem balance. Their study concluded that a combination of eco-friendly strategies with biological control agents and environmental monitoring approaches could reduce apple scab disease incidence. However, further studies evaluating the optimal timing for biological agent application is still needed to achieve consistent efficacy in managing apple scab disease.

In the sixth paper, Kaźmińska et al. [8] focused on the impacts of different nitrogen fertilization regimes (30%, 50%, and 100%) in four winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) cultivars in Poland. Their findings indicated that fruit yield and the nitrate content in fruit flesh varied depending on the nitrogen application rates and cultivar. They also noted that some fruit parameters varied depending on the cultivar and the experimental year. Remarkably, the study highlighted that the plants treated with a 50% nitrogen fertilization dose showed improved squash fruit yields. Understanding the impact of fertilization application methods is thus crucial for minimizing the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on humans and the environment. Additionally, applying just enough fertilizer to achieve optimal plant productivity can reduce production costs. Therefore, their study provided novel insights into the application of limited nitrogen fertilization for winter squash cultivation.

In the seventh paper, Silva et al. [9] studied the agronomic effects of rock powder rates associated with irrigation water depths in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production. The study summarized that irrigation is a crucial factor in lettuce production. However, they noted that the highest water use efficiency did not correspond to the greatest production or plant growth performance. Reducing water efficiency can aid in preserving water and natural resources. The article also indicated that rock powder is a source of plant nutrients and has several environmental benefits. Their findings are crucial for ensuring food safety regarding the harmful effects of chemical residues on fresh lettuce consumption. Therefore, the use of rock powder can be an alternative to chemical fertilizer in lettuce and other leafy vegetables. However, further studies are still needed to optimize its application.

Overall, the research articles in this Special Issue explored integrative and innovative approaches in various crops that enhance environmental benefits and reduce the reliance on chemical inputs in agriculture sectors. Therefore, we anticipate that the adoption of these agricultural approaches will be an effective and promising solution to support the sustainable production of horticultural and fruit crops. Moreover, these articles should be considered as a fundamental literature compilation for future research in this field.