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Horticulturae
Volume 12
Issue 8
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Horticulturae, Volume 12, Issue 8 (August 2026) – 144 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Seeds of Vitis vinifera L. exhibit a distinct bilateral symmetry, a geometric property widely used in biological systems to assess developmental stability and morphological organization. This characteristic offers a framework for the characterization and classification of grapevine cultivars and clones. Here, an automated computational workflow to quantify bilateral symmetry in grapevine seeds is presented. Seed outlines were first modeled using Elliptic Fourier Analysis (EFA). Geometric symmetry was subsequently evaluated in R using Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA), yielding a scale-independent Symmetry Index (SI). The methodology was applied to a collection comprising 184 Vitis vinifera cultivars and three wild non-vinifera Vitis species. Wild species exhibited significantly higher symmetry values than domesticated groups. View this paper
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20 pages, 684 KB  
Article
Metabolic and Morphological Reprogramming in Ocimum basilicum L. Inoculated with a Beneficial Synthetic Community
by Renée Abou Jaoudé, Anna Grazia Ficca and Maurizio Ruzzi
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081047 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 335
Abstract
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a popular aromatic and medicinal crop cultivated globally. While its essential oils possess inherent antimicrobial properties, the plant remains highly susceptible to various pathogens. This study investigated the impact of a beneficial synthetic microbial community (SynCom)—composed [...] Read more.
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a popular aromatic and medicinal crop cultivated globally. While its essential oils possess inherent antimicrobial properties, the plant remains highly susceptible to various pathogens. This study investigated the impact of a beneficial synthetic microbial community (SynCom)—composed of eight strains with proven antimicrobial and plant growth-promoting activities—on basil growth, ecophysiology, and metabolic profile in an aeroponic system. Although SynCom inoculation significantly enhanced photochemical efficiency, it did not yield significant gains in total biomass. Instead, inoculated plants exhibited a strategic reallocation of resources toward structural and chemical defenses. This physiological shift was physically manifested as denser plant canopies and lower specific leaf area (SLA). Untargeted metabolomic profiling identified 167 significantly altered metabolites. Notably, SynCom inoculation increased abscisic acid (ABA) turnover and redirected tryptophan metabolism from growth-promoting auxins to defense-related indoles and kynurenine derivatives. Furthermore, inoculation enriched the leaves with essential amino acids and a diverse array of protective secondary metabolites, including phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. These findings demonstrate that specialized microbial inoculants can induce a transition toward fortified phenotypes and likely enhance plant resilience, even in the absence of traditional biomass gains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plant Disease Management Using Advanced Biotechnology)
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25 pages, 2933 KB  
Article
Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Tuberous Root Enlargement in Mirabilis himalaica (Edgew.) Heimerl
by Jiayu Guo, Xiang Li, Jiaqi Gao, Wenli Huang, Yuze Li, Xiaozhong Lan, Xinjie Yang and Juan Liu
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1046; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081046 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 355
Abstract
Mirabilis himalaica is a Tibetan medicinal plant whose tuberous root is its principal medicinal organ. To characterise molecular and metabolic differences associated with root enlargement, we integrated untargeted metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of enlarged and non-enlarged roots. We identified 1465 metabolites, including 336 [...] Read more.
Mirabilis himalaica is a Tibetan medicinal plant whose tuberous root is its principal medicinal organ. To characterise molecular and metabolic differences associated with root enlargement, we integrated untargeted metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of enlarged and non-enlarged roots. We identified 1465 metabolites, including 336 differentially accumulated metabolites, and 4058 differentially expressed genes. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were predominantly less abundant in enlarged roots, whereas several alkaloids showed higher relative abundance. Three gibberellin-related metabolites were lower in enlarged roots, while 1-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACC), L-tryptophan, tryptamine, and several cytokinin-related metabolites showed higher relative signals. Tryptophan metabolism was a shared enriched pathway in the integrated analysis. L-Tryptophan was positively correlated with Anthranilate synthase beta subunit 2 (ASB2) and negatively correlated with Tryptophan synthase alpha chain (TSA) and Probable indole-3-pyruvate monooxygenase (YUC) across the six samples; these exploratory correlations do not establish regulatory relationships. The observed patterns are consistent with coordinated changes in hormone-related metabolites, secondary metabolism, and gene expression during root enlargement. Because Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and lignin were not directly quantified, the study does not infer their concentrations or deposition. These findings provide a multi-omics resource for investigating tuberous-root development and for guiding future functional and targeted validation studies in this endangered medicinal species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medicinals, Herbs, and Specialty Crops)
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16 pages, 4861 KB  
Article
Nutrient Solution Flow Influences Cell Atlas and Root Morphogenesis in Hydroponic Lettuce Root Growth
by Yue Xiang, Jie Peng, Yang Shao, Jung Eek Son, Kotaro Tagawa, Mina Yamada, Satoshi Yamada, Qichang Yang and Bateer Baiyin
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081045 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 387
Abstract
To elucidate how roots respond to hydroponics, we investigated the mechanisms by which nutrient solution flow influences root growth in hydroponic lettuce via phenotypic analysis combined with single-cell RNA sequencing. Nutrient solution flow exerted a dual-phase effect on lettuce root growth, characterized by [...] Read more.
To elucidate how roots respond to hydroponics, we investigated the mechanisms by which nutrient solution flow influences root growth in hydroponic lettuce via phenotypic analysis combined with single-cell RNA sequencing. Nutrient solution flow exerted a dual-phase effect on lettuce root growth, characterized by initial inhibition followed by subsequent promotion. Although initially, root biomass and morphological indices were significantly lower under flow treatment than under static treatment, this trend rapidly reversed by days 2 and 3 and all the measured indices showed improved root growth under flow treatment. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis enabled the construction of a comprehensive cellular atlas of hydroponic lettuce roots, which indicated heterogeneous transcriptional responses for lettuce roots under static and flow treatments. Flow treatment altered root cell composition, inducing decreases in initial cells and increases in vascular cells. Pseudotime trajectory analysis suggested that the differentiation of initial cells into vascular tissues was associated with plant hormone signaling and MAPK pathway-related gene expression, and also revealed differential expression of key functional genes, including ACO3 in root cap cells and CAM7 in xylem cells. Therefore, this study provides insights into the transcriptional regulatory framework of hydroponic lettuce roots in response to nutrient solution flow, which may provide a basis for optimizing hydroponic crop production via rhizosphere environment regulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biotic and Abiotic Stress)
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16 pages, 8385 KB  
Article
Colchicine-Induced Polyploidy in Edible Cactus [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.]: Impact on Biological Traits and Bioactive Compound Accumulation
by Natthakitti Boonnak, Sirithon Siriamornpun, Pranom Yangkhamman and Kriangsuk Boontiang
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1044; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081044 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 582
Abstract
Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is a cactus species of considerable economic importance in agriculture and various nutritional applications. We aimed to establish a feasible method for polyploid induction in OFI using colchicine treatment, as well as to identify and characterize the resulting polyploid plants. [...] Read more.
Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is a cactus species of considerable economic importance in agriculture and various nutritional applications. We aimed to establish a feasible method for polyploid induction in OFI using colchicine treatment, as well as to identify and characterize the resulting polyploid plants. Diploid cladodes were treated with 0.5% and 1.0% colchicine for 24 or 48 h to induce polyploidization. The results demonstrated that colchicine concentration and exposure duration influenced tetraploid induction, leading to statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in cladode size, shoot proliferation, and stomatal guard cell length and density. Higher concentrations of colchicine resulted in larger cladode dimensions and expanded guard cell sizes, along with increased shoot sprouting. In contrast, prolonged exposure durations caused reduced cladode dimensions and lower plant survival rates. Among the tested treatments, 1.0% colchicine for 48 h produced pronounced morphological responses, including increased cladode growth and reduced spine-to-spineless phenotype, although this treatment was also associated with reduced plant survival. Furthermore, induced tetraploid plants exhibited treatment-dependent increases in bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities. Specifically, 0.5% colchicine for 24 h yielded the highest total flavonoid content and antioxidant capacities (DPPH and FRAP), whereas 1.0% colchicine for 48 h significantly enhanced total phenolic content compared to control plants. Overall, the results indicate that colchicine-induced polyploidization can generate OFI variants with altered morphological characteristics and treatment-dependent bioactive profiles, providing potential breeding material for further evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding Strategies for Abiotic Stress Resilience and Growth Adaptability in Horticultural Crops)
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14 pages, 2371 KB  
Article
Longitudinal Development of an Undergraduate Soilless Culture Curriculum in Response to Scientific and Technological Advances in Soilless Culture
by Gilda Carrasco, Paula Manríquez, José Manuel Gajardo, Pabla Rebolledo and Fernando Fuentes-Peñailillo
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1043; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081043 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 394
Abstract
Soilless Culture has changed rapidly over the past decades, driven by advances in hydroponics, protected cultivation, environmental monitoring, vertical farming, and more sustainable production practices. These developments have also created new demands for undergraduate education, particularly in disciplines where scientific knowledge and technology [...] Read more.
Soilless Culture has changed rapidly over the past decades, driven by advances in hydroponics, protected cultivation, environmental monitoring, vertical farming, and more sustainable production practices. These developments have also created new demands for undergraduate education, particularly in disciplines where scientific knowledge and technology evolve continuously. This study examined the longitudinal development of an undergraduate Soilless Culture course at Universidad de Talca, Chile, over more than twenty-five years. A retrospective longitudinal case study was conducted using institutional records, course syllabi, teaching materials, assessment instruments, practical activities, infrastructure records, and anonymized student performance data. Changes in scientific content, practical learning environments, competency development, and assessment strategies were analyzed, while final-grade records from 2021 to 2025 were summarized descriptively. Over time, the course evolved from a predominantly hydroponics-based approach to a broader curriculum incorporating substrate cultivation, recirculating nutrient solutions, and protected cultivation, toward practical work involving microgreens in floating-tray systems, nutrient solution formulation, substrate-based seedling systems, and the design or operation of recirculating NFT systems and introductory activities related to vertical farming. Practical learning environments expanded alongside disciplinary advances, and assessment progressively shifted toward authentic activities requiring students to apply technical knowledge, solve problems, justify management decisions, and communicate scientific information. Student performance remained consistently satisfactory despite the increasing complexity of the curriculum. The findings demonstrate that the long-term relevance of a specialized horticultural curriculum can be maintained through continuous evidence-informed revision rather than isolated major reforms. Unlike previous reports focused on individual educational interventions, this study documents how sustained curriculum renewal over more than two decades can preserve disciplinary coherence while progressively incorporating scientific advances, technological innovation, experiential learning, and professional competency development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Outreach, Extension, and Education)
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34 pages, 2874 KB  
Review
Biochar Beyond Soil: State of the Art and Future Perspectives of Foliar Applications
by Igor Palčić, Qaiser Javed, Dominik Anđelini, Danko Cvitan, Melissa Prelac and Smiljana Goreta Ban
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081042 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 572
Abstract
Biochar has traditionally been investigated as a soil amendment for improving fertility, carbon sequestration, and nutrient retention. However, recent advances in fine milling, colloidal stabilization, and nanotechnology have enabled the development of biochar-derived materials for foliar application. Unlike conventional soil application, foliar delivery [...] Read more.
Biochar has traditionally been investigated as a soil amendment for improving fertility, carbon sequestration, and nutrient retention. However, recent advances in fine milling, colloidal stabilization, and nanotechnology have enabled the development of biochar-derived materials for foliar application. Unlike conventional soil application, foliar delivery enables direct interaction with leaf tissues, potentially providing faster physiological responses, improved resource-use efficiency, and complementary functions to existing plant biostimulants. This review critically evaluates the scientific basis, agronomic performance, and regulatory implications of foliar biochar applications across diverse crop systems. We synthesize and compare major formulation types, including finely milled suspensions, aqueous extracts, nano-biochar dispersions, and biochar-based composite carriers, based on their formulation characteristics, application methods, and reported biological effects. Across multiple crops, foliar biochar has been associated with enhanced chlorophyll content, improved gas exchange, strengthened antioxidant systems, better osmotic adjustment, and increased nutrient uptake, particularly under abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and heat. Mechanistically, these responses are linked to surface deposition effects, redox-active functional groups, modulation of leaf microclimate, and delivery of soluble bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, outcomes remain highly context-dependent, influenced by feedstock origin, pyrolysis conditions, particle size, formulation chemistry, dose, and crop species. Potential risks including phytotoxicity, nanoparticle exposure, environmental fate, and regulatory ambiguity especially for nano-scale formulations pose additional challenges for large-scale adoption. By integrating physiological, agronomic, environmental, and legislative perspectives, this review also highlights key barriers to commercialization, including formulation stability, limited field-scale validation, environmental safety, and regulatory uncertainty, while identifying research priorities needed to determine whether foliar biochar can become a scalable and scientifically validated biostimulant for sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Driving Sustainable Agriculture Through Scientific Innovation)
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24 pages, 14955 KB  
Article
Beyond Vegetation Quantity: The Role of Horticultural Configuration in Shaping Human Perception of Urban Parks
by Yi Peng, Zongsheng Li, Yuzhou Liu, Qibing Chen and Huixing Song
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1041; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081041 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 345
Abstract
Urban park assessment typically emphasizes vegetation quantity, yet spaces with similar greenness may still produce different visual experiences. This study aimed to identify the structural characteristics of horticultural configurations and examine their incremental predictive value for multidimensional visual perception. A total of 500 [...] Read more.
Urban park assessment typically emphasizes vegetation quantity, yet spaces with similar greenness may still produce different visual experiences. This study aimed to identify the structural characteristics of horticultural configurations and examine their incremental predictive value for multidimensional visual perception. A total of 500 local landscape scenes were selected from 10 urban parks in Chengdu and presented as standardized photographs. One hundred and fifty participants rated 17 visual attributes on a seven-point scale. Landscape structure metrics, principal component analysis, cluster analysis, cross-park validation, and SHAP analysis revealed that horticultural configurations varied primarily along three gradients: vegetation continuity–fragmentation, geometric complexity, and patch size. These gradients formed three representative states: dense woody, open heterogeneous, and impervious fragmented configurations. Visual perception was organized into three functional domains: restorative immersion, spatial openness, and affective richness. Compared with models containing only the NDVI and greenspace coverage, adding configuration metrics increased the cross-park predictive R2 by 0.257, 0.181, and 0.241 for the three perceptual domains, respectively. Vegetation aggregation and connectivity, mean patch area, and shape complexity were the primary predictors of the respective domains and exhibited stable nonlinear response patterns. This study extends park assessment from vegetation quantity to spatial organization mechanisms, providing an evidence base for perception-oriented horticultural design and helping reduce costly trial-and-error and inefficient investment in park renewal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape, and Turf)
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19 pages, 8180 KB  
Article
Morphological, Chloroplast Markers, and Alkaloid Profiling Approaches to Identification of Four Fritillaria Taxa
by Mingyue Yan, Qiuling Wang, Chuanxin Mo, Zhiqiang Zhang, Zhen Wei, Qiannan Shi, Chao Xin, Ma Yu, Hua Chen and Jianhe Wei
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081040 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 390
Abstract
Accurate identification of Fritillaria taxa is essential for quality control of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus. This study evaluated morphological analysis, chloroplast DNA barcoding, and steroidal alkaloid profiling across 40 individuals from four taxa (F. unibracteata, F. unibracteata var. wabuensis, F. cirrhosa [...] Read more.
Accurate identification of Fritillaria taxa is essential for quality control of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus. This study evaluated morphological analysis, chloroplast DNA barcoding, and steroidal alkaloid profiling across 40 individuals from four taxa (F. unibracteata, F. unibracteata var. wabuensis, F. cirrhosa, and F. taipaiensis) from Sichuan province, China. Among five chloroplast markers, ycf1 and rps4 were the most polymorphic, with nucleotide diversity of 0.065 to 0.116 and 0.035 to 0.120, respectively, and generally distinguished the four taxa into well-supported clades, though two F. unibracteata nested within the F. cirrhosa group. Morphologically, F. unibracteata var. wabuensis produced the largest bulbs, with a mean fresh weight of 26.99 g, approximately 24-fold greater than that of F. unibracteata at 1.12 g, whereas F. unibracteata and F. cirrhosa overlapped substantially in all measured traits. PCA revealed that biomass traits were slightly more discriminative, while central bud height contributed the least. Among the samples analyzed, alkaloid profiles provided the most distinct diagnostic signals: F. unibracteata var. wabuensis accumulated the highest sipeimine at 298.40 μg/g and sipeimine-3-β-D-glucoside at 156.30 μg/g; F. taipaiensis was richest in peimine and peiminine; F. unibracteata uniquely contained sipeimine-3-β-D-glucoside without detectable sipeimine; and F. cirrhosa showed the lowest levels across all five compounds. The integration of chloroplast markers with alkaloid profiling improved species discrimination for the samples examined. Chloroplast markers for initial screening followed by the alkaloid profiling of the ambiguous sample might offer a practical framework for the authentication and quality control of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus, but this strategy requires validation across broader geographic scales and with larger sample sizes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding, Cultivation and Metabolic Regulation of Medicinal Plants—2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 8414 KB  
Article
Effects of Melatonin on Physiological Characteristics of Trichosanthes kirilowii Seedlings Under Drought Stress
by Ning Wang, Ye Wang, Yingquan Hu and Qilei Zhang
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1039; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081039 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 368
Abstract
Melatonin (MT), a potent antioxidant, can mitigate abiotic stress. The objective of this study was to determine if foliar spraying of MT can alleviate the stress of Trichosanthes kirilowii seedlings under drought conditions. The results showed that drought stress significantly inhibited the growth [...] Read more.
Melatonin (MT), a potent antioxidant, can mitigate abiotic stress. The objective of this study was to determine if foliar spraying of MT can alleviate the stress of Trichosanthes kirilowii seedlings under drought conditions. The results showed that drought stress significantly inhibited the growth of T. kirilowii seedlings, whereas exogenous MT alleviated this inhibition. Compared with the treatment with drought stress alone, the addition of MT significantly increased the stem length, net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, maximum photochemical efficiency, and relative leaf water content of T. kirilowii seedlings after 20 days of drought stress. Under drought stress, the addition of MT significantly reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and reduced electrolyte leakage (EL) in the leaves of T. kirilowii seedlings. Compared with the control group, the antioxidant enzyme activity was significantly enhanced under drought stress, and the contents of soluble sugars (SSs) and proline (Pro) increased significantly. The antioxidant enzyme activity was strongest in the group treated with MT, and the SS and Pro contents were the highest in this group. The results indicate that the addition of MT can maintain the relative water content (RWC) of the leaves of T. kirilowii seedlings under drought stress, significantly enhance antioxidant capacity, reduce drought-induced damage, maintain the stability of the photosynthetic system, and promote the growth of T. kirilowii seedlings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biotic and Abiotic Stress)
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19 pages, 3040 KB  
Article
Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis of the Snap Bean Pod Fiber Mutant (bfm) Identifies Candidate Genes Associated with Pod Wall Fiber Accumulation
by Kanhui Mo, Zhuang Sun, Guojun Feng, Dajun Liu, Taifeng Zhang, Zhishan Yan, Xiaoxu Yang and Chang Liu
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081038 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 359
Abstract
Background and aims: Snap bean is a widely planted legume vegetable crop in the world, with tender pods as its edible organ. In the actual production process, excessive fiber content in bean pods can lead to a deterioration in their taste after cooking, [...] Read more.
Background and aims: Snap bean is a widely planted legume vegetable crop in the world, with tender pods as its edible organ. In the actual production process, excessive fiber content in bean pods can lead to a deterioration in their taste after cooking, seriously affecting their edible quality. In order to better study the mechanism of fiber formation in bean pod walls, we selected a bean pod fiber mutant (bfm) from the bean mutant library. Methods: Fiber content determination, cytological observation, and transcriptome and metabolome analysis were performed on the pod walls of mutant bfm and its wild-type at different developmental stages. Key results: The results showed that the crude fiber content of the bfm pod wall tissue was significantly higher than that of the wild type during the mature commercial pod stage, and cellulose may be the main factor causing the increase in fiber content in the bean pod wall. During the mature commercial pod stage, the number of cells in the pod wall tissue of bfm increased significantly compared to the wild type, with an increase in phloem fibers and thicker cell walls. It is speculated that this situation led to changes in fiber content in the mutant bfm. The combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolome showed that differentially expressed genes and metabolites were enriched in metabolic pathways and secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways. Several metabolites, including glycine, L-glutamine, D-arabinitol, and D-ribose, were associated with the expression of Phvul.007G077800 (CTL) and Phvul.003G089600 (KOR). Conclusions: These genes and metabolites may participate in coordinated metabolic pathways that influence the availability of substrates and energy required for cellulose biosynthesis, thereby potentially contributing to cellulose accumulation in the pod wall. This study provides theoretical research on the mechanism of fiber synthesis in bean pod walls, and also to provide some reference for bean breeding improvement and application practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics, Genomics, Breeding, and Biotechnology (G2B2))
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21 pages, 6000 KB  
Article
Comparative Effects of GABA, 5-Aminolevulinic Acid, and Bacillus-Based Treatments on IBA-Pretreated Tea Chrysanthemum Cuttings Under Plateau Cultivation Conditions
by Jialu Zhao, Yiwei Yan, Bernard R. Glick and Jie Tian
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1037; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081037 - 19 Aug 2026
Viewed by 433
Abstract
Plateau environments are characterized by low temperatures, intensive radiation and drastic diurnal temperature fluctuations, all of which greatly suppress rooting and seedling establishment of tea chrysanthemum cuttings. To compare the regulatory effects of different rooting regulators on tea chrysanthemum cuttings under plateau cultivation [...] Read more.
Plateau environments are characterized by low temperatures, intensive radiation and drastic diurnal temperature fluctuations, all of which greatly suppress rooting and seedling establishment of tea chrysanthemum cuttings. To compare the regulatory effects of different rooting regulators on tea chrysanthemum cuttings under plateau cultivation conditions, this study conducted a 60-day plug-tray cultivation experiment from late July to late September with three biological replicates. All the cuttings, including the IBA-pre-treated control (CK), were uniformly pretreated with 500 mg·L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). On this basis, four treatments, including 5-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (5-ALA, T1), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, T2), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (T3) and Bacillus velezensis (T4), were applied to determine root morphology, seedling growth, physiological stress metabolism, photosynthetic capacity and rhizosphere substrate characteristics. The different rooting promoters exerted distinct regulatory effects on cutting performance. The GABA treatment significantly improved leaf gas exchange, seedling growth, antioxidant status and rhizosphere nutrient conditions, with net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate improved by 316.34%, 92.31% and 168.00%, respectively, and significantly increased seedling vigor index, plant height and stem diameter by 21.74%, 60.85% and 46.08%, respectively. It also elevated the soluble sugar content and the ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation, and optimized rhizosphere available nitrogen and phosphorus levels, as well as related enzyme activities. Nevertheless, the 5-ALA treatment exhibited unique advantages in improving rooting rate and seedling survival. Mantel tests confirmed that the seedling vigor index closely correlated with the root architecture, the total chlorophyll and the transpiration rate. A principal component analysis (PCA) and a cluster heatmap both identified GABA as the treatment with relatively balanced overall performance. A comprehensive D-value evaluation ranked the treatments as GABA > B. amyloliquefaciens > 5-ALA > B. velezensis > control. The treatment with 5-ALA mainly improved the antioxidant capacity, the B. amyloliquefaciens treatment favored root elongation and total nutrients, and the B. velezensis treatment only produced mild improvements. This study indicates that the different exogenous regulators target divergent growth and physiological processes, and the GABA treatment could coordinately boost root development, photosynthetic performance, antioxidant defense and rhizosphere nutrient cycling, thus presenting great application potential for tea chrysanthemum cutting propagation under plateau cultivation conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology)
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20 pages, 11844 KB  
Article
In Vitro Antagonistic Activity of Indigenous Trichoderma Isolates Against Lasiodiplodia Isolates Associated with Stem-End Rot of Star Apple (Chrysophyllum cainito L.)
by Nguyen Quoc Khuong, Trinh Kim Hoang, Le Thi My Thu, Ngo Thanh Phong, Do Thi Xuan and Le Thanh Quang
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081036 - 19 Aug 2026
Viewed by 415
Abstract
Stem-end rot (SER) is an important postharvest disease that reduces the quality and marketability of star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito L.), while biological control offers a more sustainable alternative to chemical management. This study aimed to (i) select fungal strains causing SER disease [...] Read more.
Stem-end rot (SER) is an important postharvest disease that reduces the quality and marketability of star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito L.), while biological control offers a more sustainable alternative to chemical management. This study aimed to (i) select fungal strains causing SER disease in star apple and (ii) select and appraise strains of Trichoderma spp. fungi as antagonists to the selected fungi causing SER disease under in vitro conditions. Ten fungal isolates were obtained from symptomatic fruits, and 35 Trichoderma isolates were recovered from star apple rhizosphere soils. Five rapidly growing fungal isolates were evaluated using a detached-fruit pathogenicity assay, with three fruits per treatment. The five strains with the strongest expression of SER were selected and identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae L-SA01, L-SA03, and L-SA07, L. venezuelensis L-SA02, and L. egytiacae L-SA06. Among 25 Trichoderma isolates screened for extracellular enzyme activities, T-SA05, T-SA30, and T-SA32 were selected for broad antagonistic activity and were provisionally associated with T. asperellum, T. yunnanense, and T. viride, respectively. At 72 h, these isolates showed antagonistic efficiencies of 55.4–58.9% against L-SA01, 64.9–69.6% against L-SA02, 80.8–82.4% against L-SA03, 58.6–59.3% against L-SA06, and 49.9–54.1% against L-SA07. L. venezuelensis and L. egytiacae were the two fungal species first found to cause SER. T. yunnanense was recently proven to control the Lasiodiplodia spp. fungi that cause SER. The selected isolates also exhibited chitinase and glucanase activities, although their enzyme profiles did not fully correspond to their antagonistic efficiencies. These findings identify indigenous Trichoderma isolates for further taxonomic confirmation and evaluation in postharvest fruit assays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM))
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18 pages, 3857 KB  
Article
Soil Quality Evaluation and Limiting Factor Analysis of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. Planting Areas Based on the Minimum Data Set: A Case Study of Hubei Province, China
by Fengyun Xiang, Tianya Liu, Mengdie Li, Mingjuan Wan, Zheng Zhang and Jifu Li
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081035 - 19 Aug 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 413 | Correction
Abstract
Soil quality constitutes a fundamental foundation for maintaining soil productivity, ecological function and crop health. However, existing research on soil quality assessment and its limiting factors in Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. planting areas remains insufficient. To construct a soil quality assessment system suitable for [...] Read more.
Soil quality constitutes a fundamental foundation for maintaining soil productivity, ecological function and crop health. However, existing research on soil quality assessment and its limiting factors in Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. planting areas remains insufficient. To construct a soil quality assessment system suitable for T. kirilowii Maxim. planting areas and identify key limiting factors, this study took 46 sampling sites from three typical T. kirilowii production areas in northwestern Hubei, the Jianghan Plain and southeastern Hubei Province as research objects. Thirteen physicochemical soil indicators were measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) combined with the Norm value was used to derive the minimum data set (MDS). Three scoring functions were compared to evaluate their applicability for soil quality assessment. The obstacle degree model was applied to identify the main limiting factors of soil quality, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to explore the potential relationships associated with soil quality variation. The results show that an MDS composed of soil organic matter (SOM), alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN), bulk density (BD), electrical conductivity (EC) and total phosphorus (TP) can effectively characterize soil quality. Compared with linear standardization and membership function standardization, the non-linear function (SNL) standardization method performs the best (Ef = 0.78, ER = 0.05), and a soil quality index (SQI) calculated based on the MDS and total data set (TDS) shows a significant positive correlation (R2 = 0.851, p < 0.001). The average SQI of T. kirilowii planting areas in Hubei Province is 0.49, which is a medium level, and shows obvious spatial differences among different regions, in the order of northwestern Hubei (0.59) > southeastern Hubei (0.49) > Jianghan Plain (0.39). Obstacle degree analysis shows that organic matter and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen are the main limiting factors affecting soil quality, but there are obvious differences among regions. PLS-SEM analysis indicated that soil fertility-related factors were positively associated with SQI (path coefficient = 0.720, p < 0.001), whereas the soil’s physical and salinity-related factors showed negative associations with SQI (path coefficient = −0.259, p < 0.05). Altitude showed indirect associations with SQI through its relationships with soil properties, with a total effect of 0.480, and the model explained 85.7% of the variation in SQI. This study confirms that the constructed MDS performs comparably to the TDS in the present dataset for soil quality assessment in T. kirilowii planting areas in Hubei Province. Insufficient organic matter and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen were identified as the main factors limiting soil quality, suggesting that improving organic matter accumulation and nitrogen availability should be prioritized in soil management in T. kirilowii planting areas. This study can provide a theoretical basis for soil quality assessment, precise fertilization and sustainable soil development in T. kirilowii planting areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing Soil, Fertilization, and Nutrient Uptake in Horticultural Production)
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16 pages, 1735 KB  
Article
Short-Term Gaseous Ozone Exposure Influences Cucumber Quality During Postharvest Storage
by Nikolaos Tzortzakis
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081034 - 19 Aug 2026
Viewed by 388
Abstract
Cucumber consumption has grown in the last decades, but its storage is challenging with alternative preservation means to require attention, including ozone. The present study examined the short-term application of gaseous ozone in cucumber fruit during storage. Fruits were exposed to ozone-enriched atmosphere [...] Read more.
Cucumber consumption has grown in the last decades, but its storage is challenging with alternative preservation means to require attention, including ozone. The present study examined the short-term application of gaseous ozone in cucumber fruit during storage. Fruits were exposed to ozone-enriched atmosphere (0, 0.2, and 1.5 ppm) for 2 or 6 h at 13 °C and 95% relative humidity, and then fruits were stored in clean air up to 7 days. The results showed that by maintaining low respiration rates, lower ozone concentrations (i.e., 0.2 ppm) and duration (2 h) were advantageous in sustaining cucumber quality-related traits. Furthermore, greener fruits, metabolic changes, and higher ascorbic acid content were the results of 0.2 ppm ozone exposure for 2 h or 6 h, but total phenols and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were reduced. In contrast, higher ozone levels of 1.5 ppm for 6 h triggered fruit respiration rates, phenols, total soluble solids, and antioxidants alongside the raised ascorbic acid and MDA, resulting in less marketable products. Ozone treatments did not affect fruit aroma, appearance, and decay. Applying ozone for a short period of time may accelerate fruit metabolism and antioxidant responses to address the problem of oxidative stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology)
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33 pages, 2587 KB  
Review
Systems-Level Integration of Stress Signaling, Multi-Omics, and Predictive Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Brassica Crops
by Shenling Peng, Mingliang Jiang and Xiaonan Li
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081033 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 543
Abstract
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, waterlogging, and temperature extremes, thereby threatening the productivity and quality of Brassica crops. This review synthesizes recent progress in abiotic stress tolerance from physiological, genetic, epigenetic, and multi-omics perspectives, [...] Read more.
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, waterlogging, and temperature extremes, thereby threatening the productivity and quality of Brassica crops. This review synthesizes recent progress in abiotic stress tolerance from physiological, genetic, epigenetic, and multi-omics perspectives, with an emphasis on how mechanistic discoveries can be translated into breeding decisions. We first outline the signaling hierarchy that links stress perception at the plasma membrane and cell wall interface to Ca2+ signaling, MAPK cascades, hormone crosstalk, osmotic adjustment, ROS homeostasis, and metabolic reprogramming. We then examine the genetic architecture of stress tolerance through QTL mapping, GWAS, and functional genomics, highlighting how allopolyploidy, subgenome specialization, homoeologous gene divergence, and alternative splicing create both opportunities and complications for Brassica improvement. We further evaluate how transcriptomic, epigenomic, metabolomic, and microbiome-related data are revealing regulatory complexity but remain underused for prediction and causal inference. Major bottlenecks include the inefficient conversion of association signals into validated functional markers, the descriptive rather than predictive use of multi-omics datasets, limited mechanistic understanding of combined stresses, and insufficient field validation across genetic backgrounds. Finally, we discuss integrated breeding strategies, including marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, genome editing, wild germplasm utilization, microbiome-assisted approaches, and synthetic biology. By connecting stress biology with translational breeding, this review provides a framework for developing climate-resilient Brassica cultivars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Production, Cultivation, and Breeding of Brassicaceae Crops)
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18 pages, 6798 KB  
Article
Nanoscale Calcium Fertilizer Modulates Pathogenicity of Bacterial Soft Rot Pathogen (Pectobacterium aroidearum) in Konjac (Amorphophallus konjac) Through Suppressing of Virulence Factors and Enhancing Plant Defense
by Yan Huang, Huan Yang, Xianan Guo, Qiang Xiao, Dengguo Tang, Zhijian Long, Boya Wang, Xin Zhao, Shanglian Hu, Xuegang Luo, Yu Zhang and Ying Cao
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1032; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081032 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 395
Abstract
Amorphophallus spp., valued as both crops and medicinal plants, are highly susceptible to soft rot disease, causing substantial yield and economic losses during cultivation and storage. Calcium nanoparticle (CaNP) fertilizer not only has the potential to enhance crop yields but also plays a [...] Read more.
Amorphophallus spp., valued as both crops and medicinal plants, are highly susceptible to soft rot disease, causing substantial yield and economic losses during cultivation and storage. Calcium nanoparticle (CaNP) fertilizer not only has the potential to enhance crop yields but also plays a crucial role in the control of crop pests and diseases. However, its application in the control of soft rot disease in konjac has not yet been investigated. In this study, the antibacterial efficacy of CaNP fertilizer against the typical soft rot pathogen P. aroidearum MY11 in Amorphophallus konjac (A. konjac) was investigated. It was found that CaNP fertilizer significantly inhibited the growth, motility ability and the activity of cell wall-degrading exoenzymes of P. aroidearum MY11. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the morphology of bacterial cells treated with CaNPs did not change significantly, but significant particle deposition was observed within the cells. Furthermore, CaNPs pretreatment could reduce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, activate the antioxidant enzyme system, and enhance the photosynthetic capacity of A. konjac plants. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that CaNPs pretreatment might enhance the resistance of A. konjac plants to the soft rot pathogen MY11 by activating the jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway and the cell wall stress response pathway. This research provides a new candidate for nanopesticides that can be used to control the bacterial soft rot disease of konjac. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biocontrol Agents: Mechanisms of Disease Suppression and Growth Promotion in Horticultural Crop Production)
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17 pages, 1950 KB  
Article
Effect of Long-Term Potassium Restriction on Nutrient Contents in Fruits and Leaves, Yield, and Potassium Deficiency Symptoms in Southern Highbush Blueberry
by Sakura Takahashi and Sakae Suzuki
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081031 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 394
Abstract
Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for humans, but impaired kidney function requires dietary K restriction, increasing the demand for low-K crops. K is also essential for plants, playing important roles in osmotic regulation and enzyme activation. Most studies on low-K crop production [...] Read more.
Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for humans, but impaired kidney function requires dietary K restriction, increasing the demand for low-K crops. K is also essential for plants, playing important roles in osmotic regulation and enzyme activation. Most studies on low-K crop production have focused on vegetables, whereas research on fruit trees remains limited. In southern highbush blueberry (SHB), the greatest reported reduction in K content in the fruits is 53%, and the maximum K restriction period is five months. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of long-term K restriction on SHB after 17 and 29 months of treatment. Long-term K restriction reduced K content in the fruits by 72–83%, but also significantly decreased yield and induced severe K deficiency symptoms throughout the canopy. Decreases in K content in both fruits and leaves were accompanied by increases in sodium, calcium, and/or magnesium contents, depending on the organ. K content in the fruits reached approximately 20–30 mg·100 g−1 FW after 17 and 29 months of K restriction. These findings demonstrate that long-term K restriction effectively reduces K content in SHB fruits. However, further studies are required to optimize K management to maintain plant vigor and yield while enabling the production of low-K SHB fruits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fruit Production Systems)
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32 pages, 13732 KB  
Article
Integrated GWAS Candidate Prioritization, Moso Bamboo Transcriptome Screening and Diverse Bamboo Shoot Multi-Omics Reveal a Multi-Layer Framework for Bamboo Property Formation
by Chunze Xie, Jingjing Long, Tiansi Luo, Yidan Shi, Ruidong Lu, Yuanhang Wu, Senlong Zheng, Jiahe Li, Wei Zhang, Jiayu Liu, Wanyu Li, Zhixiang Xu, Feng Tian, Hong Zeng, Shoujin Cao, Peng Dang, Hanbin Wu and Song Sheng
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1030; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081030 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 400
Abstract
Bamboo shoot development influences subsequent culm architecture and material properties, but the biological relevance of GWAS-derived candidates remains unclear. A stepwise candidate-prioritization strategy integrated 99 previously reported property-associated candidates with large-scale moso bamboo transcriptome screening, multi-species bamboo shoot transcriptome–metabolome data, and qRT-PCR analysis. [...] Read more.
Bamboo shoot development influences subsequent culm architecture and material properties, but the biological relevance of GWAS-derived candidates remains unclear. A stepwise candidate-prioritization strategy integrated 99 previously reported property-associated candidates with large-scale moso bamboo transcriptome screening, multi-species bamboo shoot transcriptome–metabolome data, and qRT-PCR analysis. The candidates were classified into three functional layers: environmental adaptation/stress signaling, carbohydrate metabolism/carbon allocation, and cell wall biosynthesis/remodeling. A rule-based ranking that balanced candidate representation across the three functional categories retained 44 genes for transcriptomic evaluation, of which 30 showed strong or moderate expression support across 90 comparisons. Cell wall biosynthesis/remodeling genes exhibited the broadest transcriptional responses, whereas carbohydrate- and regulatory-related genes provided complementary metabolic and upstream evidence. Correlation analysis across 24 matched shoot variables and 5059 metabolites prioritized PH02Gene17228, PH02Gene00247, and PH02Gene51360, which were associated with amino acid/nitrogen metabolism, hormone/signaling-like metabolites, and organic acid/central carbon metabolism, respectively. qRT-PCR analysis independently supported their expression patterns in developing bamboo shoots. These results support a working model in which regulatory signaling, carbon allocation, and cell wall remodeling jointly contribute to bamboo property-related variation. The prioritized genes provide targets for functional validation and may inform future marker development and molecular breeding aimed at improving bamboo culm quality and material properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics, Genomics, Breeding, and Biotechnology (G2B2))
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20 pages, 3327 KB  
Article
Integrated Analysis of Physiological, Productive, and Nutritional Response of Hydroponic Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. Cicla) Under Different Photoperiods and Nutrient Solution Concentrations in a Controlled Environment
by Cristal Yoselin Moreno-Aguilera, Raul Omar Herrera-Arroyo, Micael Gerardo Bravo-Sánchez, José Enrique Botello-Álvarez, Ricardo Yáñez-López and Juan José Martínez-Nolasco
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1029; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081029 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 905
Abstract
Currently, controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) and hydroponic production systems represent sustainable alternatives for improving leafy vegetable production by controlling the variables that influence their growth. This research studied the effect of variations in photoperiod and nutrient solution concentration on the development of a hydroponic [...] Read more.
Currently, controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) and hydroponic production systems represent sustainable alternatives for improving leafy vegetable production by controlling the variables that influence their growth. This research studied the effect of variations in photoperiod and nutrient solution concentration on the development of a hydroponic crop. The response variables analyzed were growth, physiological response, and nutrient content of chard. The hydroponic cultivation technique used was the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) under controlled environmental conditions. The experimental design was developed with two photo-period treatments: 12 h light/12 h darkness and 10 h light/14 h darkness, combined with three levels of nutrient concentration at 100%, 75% and 50% of the standard Steiner formulation. The data were analyzed using two complementary approaches: (1) ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test to identify specific group differences, and (2) principal component analysis (PCA). It was observed that the concentration of the nutrient solution had a significant effect on the growth and nutritional quality variables of the crop. Treatments with a 100% nutrient solution resulted in higher values for plant height, biomass, protein, potassium, and calcium. Reducing the nutrient solution concentration resulted in a clear decrease in crop growth variables. The effect of photoperiod on crop development was found to be less significant. The PCA accounted for 96.8% of the total variability. This indicates that nutrient concentration was the primary factor associated with growth and nutritional content in chard. The results show that nutrient reduction directly affects crop productivity and nutritional quality. However, moderate variations in photoperiod had a secondary effect under the conditions evaluated. This research provides relevant information for developing nutritional management strategies and sustainable production in controlled-environment hydroponic systems. It also contributes new knowledge on integrating hydroponic crops in controlled environments into sustainable agri-food systems using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for efficient crop management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops Responses to LED Lighting)
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23 pages, 4164 KB  
Article
Characterizing Berry Quality in Five ‘Merlot’ Clones from the Hexi Corridor Region of China Through GC-MS and Metabolomics
by Xing Tang, Xuemei Hou, Xintong Nan, Huilan Qiao, Lizhen Chen, Wenfang Li and Zonghuan Ma
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1028; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081028 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 404
Abstract
Clonal selection is essential for adapting wine production to specific terroirs. To characterize clonal variation in berry quality, five ‘Merlot’ clones (M343, VCR1, VCR3, VCR13, and VCR101) grown in the Hexi Corridor region of Gansu Province, China, were evaluated during the 2024 growing [...] Read more.
Clonal selection is essential for adapting wine production to specific terroirs. To characterize clonal variation in berry quality, five ‘Merlot’ clones (M343, VCR1, VCR3, VCR13, and VCR101) grown in the Hexi Corridor region of Gansu Province, China, were evaluated during the 2024 growing season. An integrated analysis of morphological, physicochemical, phenolic, metabolomic, and volatile traits was conducted to provide a multidimensional assessment of clone-specific berry quality under the arid conditions of this region. VCR1 exhibited the highest total soluble solids and anthocyanin contents, alongside the largest number of annotated metabolites. VCR101 had the highest titratable acidity and the most diverse flavonoid profile, whereas VCR13 showed the highest total soluble sugar content. VCR3 had the highest tannin and total phenolic contents and also exhibited the greatest number and total semi-quantitative relative abundance of volatile compounds. These findings demonstrate that, under arid conditions, the clones differ in their accumulation patterns of sugars, organic acids, phenolics, and aroma-related metabolites. Exploratory principal component analysis identified VCR3 and VCR1 as promising candidates for production objectives emphasizing different quality attributes. These findings provide practical information for clonal selection, germplasm evaluation, wine grape breeding, and region-specific cultivation under arid environmental conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Stress Adaptation and Quality Control in Horticultural Plants)
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21 pages, 18620 KB  
Article
Microbacterium sp. Y107 Is Associated with Enhanced Lingonberry Root Growth and Transcriptional Changes Under Gnotobiotic Conditions
by Enze Yu, Yuzhe Wang, Yurong Liang, Jiayi Li, Zihan Liu, Fanchang Bu, Hongrui Pan, Xinjie Wang, Dunting Tie, Hu Lou and Jie Zhang
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081027 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 391
Abstract
Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) has a weak root system and limited nutrient acquisition capacity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can promote plant growth by regulating rhizosphere nutrient cycling and host metabolism, but the underlying mechanisms in Ericaceae remain unclear. In this study, the [...] Read more.
Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) has a weak root system and limited nutrient acquisition capacity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can promote plant growth by regulating rhizosphere nutrient cycling and host metabolism, but the underlying mechanisms in Ericaceae remain unclear. In this study, the strain Microbacterium sp. Y107 was isolated from the rhizosphere of lingonberry. Using growth-promoting assays (with 9 independent biological replicates, each consisting of 3 plants per bottle as the experimental unit, an inoculum density of OD600 = 1.0, a cultivation period of 60 days, and whole-plant harvesting), GC–MS-based metabolite analysis, axenic coculture, analyses of the rhizosphere environment and gene expression, transcriptome sequencing (3 biological replicates per treatment), and qRT–PCR validation, we systematically evaluated the effects of strain Y107 on lingonberry growth, rhizosphere conditions, and host gene expression. CK (control) plants were defined as those inoculated with sterile LB liquid medium. Pearson correlation analysis was also used to assess the relationships among plant growth, soil traits, and physiological indices. Compared with the CK treatment, strain Y107 significantly promoted lingonberry growth (p < 0.05), increasing the fresh weight of the roots by 157.65% and the whole-plant fresh weight by 33.85%, respectively, and increasing peroxidase (POD) activity by 61.11%, while reducing the contents of reducing sugars and proline. Strain Y107 stably colonized the lingonberry root surface and formed biofilms. Y107 treatment resulted in detectable levels of soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, indicating successful microbial colonization. The ammonium nitrogen content significantly increased, increasing nitrogen availability and promoting root nutrient uptake. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression of genes enriched in photosynthesis-related pathways, as well as those involved in carbon and nitrogen metabolism and redox regulation, was altered in strain Y107, which upregulated key photosynthesis-related genes such as psbP and ndhU and significantly enriched the cytosolic ribosomal large subunit gene set in a negative direction. Correlation analysis further revealed that strain Y107 optimized the association between lingonberry growth and soil nutrients. Overall, strain Y107 promoted lingonberry growth through stable colonization, enhanced nutrient cycling, promoted lingonberry growth, and altered the expression patterns of genes involved in photosynthesis-related pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management for Sustainable and High-Quality Horticultural Production)
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18 pages, 7408 KB  
Article
Effectiveness of Spectral Analysis for Evaluating Internal Quality of Korla Fragrant Pears Under Different Detection Distances
by Yifei Li, Xueting Ma, Jianping Bao, Yuesen Tong, Lei Kang, Huaiyu Liu, Zhe Han, Jun Guo, Xuhang Liu and Kaijie Qi
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081026 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 423
Abstract
This study investigated how detection distance affects spectral models for soluble solids content (SSC) and firmness evaluation in Korla fragrant pears and provides a reference for calibrating standardized indoor non-destructive detection equipment. Two hundred visually intact fruit samples at the early-ripening stage were [...] Read more.
This study investigated how detection distance affects spectral models for soluble solids content (SSC) and firmness evaluation in Korla fragrant pears and provides a reference for calibrating standardized indoor non-destructive detection equipment. Two hundred visually intact fruit samples at the early-ripening stage were collected from the Korla production area in Xinjiang. An FS-640 multispectral camera system equipped with a VS-SWR fixed-focus industrial lens (16 mm focal length, F1.8 maximum aperture, 1/2-inch sensor format) was used to acquire fruit reflectance spectra at seven vertical lens-to-fruit-surface distances of 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150 cm. A 625-pixel region of interest (ROI) was selected using ENVI at an undamaged equatorial or near-equatorial position of each fruit, and the regional mean spectrum was used as the spectral feature of one fruit sample. The sample-set partitioning based on joint X–Y distances (SPXY) algorithm was used to divide the calibration and prediction sets at a 3:1 ratio after outlier removal via a residual-threshold method. Four preprocessing methods, namely LOESS smoothing, standardization, vector normalization, and Savitzky–Golay (SG) smoothing, were compared. Competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) was performed with 50 Monte-Carlo sampling runs, a maximum of 30 principal components, and 10-fold cross-validation, yielding 99 characteristic wavelengths. Partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector regression (SVR), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN) models were then established using identical input variables and sample partitions. Model performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination for calibration (Rc2), coefficient of determination for prediction (RP2), root-mean-square error of calibration (RMSEC), root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP), relative prediction deviation (RPD), and ratio of performance to interquartile distance (RPIQ). Under the static laboratory acquisition conditions in this work, the SSC model achieved the best prediction performance at 110 cm with SG smoothing (RP2) = 0.8949, RPD = 3.0633, RPIQ = 5.8661), whereas the firmness model obtained optimal prediction performance at 140 cm with standardization (RP2) = 0.7460, RPD = 1.9425, RPIQ = 3.2867). Changes in detection distance altered illumination uniformity, effective reflected signal, photon-scattering paths, and background-noise proportion. These effects may partially explain why the chemical-absorption-dominated SSC index and the tissue-scattering-dominated firmness index responded differently to detection distance. The results provide a reference for setting spectral detection parameters for Korla fragrant pears; however, samples were obtained from only a single producing region, harvest season, and maturity stage, and no independent external validation dataset was used. Therefore, the generalization ability of the developed models needs to be further verified using cross-season and cross-orchard sample sets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Computer Vision Technology in Postharvest Processing of Fruits and Vegetables)
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19 pages, 5297 KB  
Article
Mineral Composition, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Capacity of Sweet Potato Leaves, Water Spinach, and Perilla
by Maria Dinu, Rodica Soare and Mihai Botu
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081025 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 442
Abstract
The introduction of less common leafy vegetables in the human diet is a priority due to their antioxidant capacity and mineral, flavonoid, and vitamin content. The current article presents a comparative study of the minerals, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity in the leaves [...] Read more.
The introduction of less common leafy vegetables in the human diet is a priority due to their antioxidant capacity and mineral, flavonoid, and vitamin content. The current article presents a comparative study of the minerals, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity in the leaves of less commonly cultivated vegetable species in Romania, specifically sweet potato, three varieties of perilla, and water spinach. The results obtained indicate high variability in minerals and nutrients across these vegetable species. Higher values were identified in red-leaf perilla for P (2694.1 mg kg−1dw), Ca (43,990.0 mg kg−1 dw), Mg (16,696.0 mg kg−1 dw), Na (523.0 mg kg−1 dw), and Zn (43.9 mg kg−1 dw); for K (31,971.0 mg kg−1 dw) in sweet potato; for Cu (17.9 mg kg−1 dw) and Fe (110.0 mg kg−1 dw) in marmorated-leaf perilla; and for Mn (101.0 mg kg−1 dw) in water spinach. The total polyphenol content and high antioxidant activity were 5656 mg GAE g−1 dw and 27.66 µM TE g−1 dw, respectively, in green-leaf perilla. Nineteen bioactive compounds identified within the three species studied varied greatly by species and variety. These results demonstrate that the mineral composition and bioactive compounds of the leafy vegetables studied vary greatly, suggesting that a combination of them may contribute to a diversified human diet with a wider range of nutrients. The mineral composition of the studied species may also contribute to the development of functional foods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phytochemical Diversity and Bioactive Substances in Horticultural Crops)
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24 pages, 23883 KB  
Article
Detection of Candidate Wuyi Rock-Tea Shoots in Field RGB Images Using YOLO11s-CSNG
by Hongpu Qin, Xipeng Yang, Jinglong Yuan, Chengzhi Ruan, Bo Guo, Jun Yang and Jiayou Chen
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081024 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 447
Abstract
Accurate field detection of candidate tea shoots could support plantation monitoring, yield estimation, fresh-leaf assessment, and future selective-harvesting research. Wuyi rock-tea shoots are small and slender, have weak visual boundaries, and are easily confused with branches, petioles, and complex canopy backgrounds. Here, we [...] Read more.
Accurate field detection of candidate tea shoots could support plantation monitoring, yield estimation, fresh-leaf assessment, and future selective-harvesting research. Wuyi rock-tea shoots are small and slender, have weak visual boundaries, and are easily confused with branches, petioles, and complex canopy backgrounds. Here, we developed YOLO11s-CSNG for candidate shoot detection in natural plantation scenes. The model combines a channel-spatial feature enhancement bottleneck, a normalized Wasserstein distance constraint for bounding-box regression, and ghost convolution layers in the detection head. We evaluated the model through detector comparisons, module ablations, and repeated training with five matched random seeds on a natural-scene dataset containing four Wuyi rock-tea cultivars. Across the five matched seeds, the mean mAP@0.5 increased from 67.37 ± 0.91% to 67.97 ± 0.90% on the validation set and from 61.29 ± 0.40% to 61.88 ± 0.66% on the internal test set. Neither paired difference was statistically significant: The 95% confidence intervals included zero, and the exact two-sided paired-permutation p values were 0.375 and 0.250, respectively. The mean mAP@0.5:0.95 did not improve. YOLO11s-CSNG retained a model size and model-only edge-inference time comparable to YOLO11s, providing a compact design for candidate shoot-region detection under the sampled field conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence and Machine Vision for Full-Cycle Orchard Production Management and Harvest)
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16 pages, 13559 KB  
Article
ScMYC2 Participates in Methyl Jasmonate-Induced Indole Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Strobilanthes cusia
by Yongle Hu, Baoyu Zhang, Yuxin Zhu, Mengyuan Xu, Daozhi Wei and Lili Sun
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1023; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081023 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 450
Abstract
Indole alkaloids are major bioactive compounds in Strobilanthes cusia. Although methyl jasmonate treatment can promote the accumulation of indole alkaloids in S. cusia, the transcriptional regulation remains unclear. In this study, the jasmonic acid responsive bHLH transcription factor ScMYC2 was cloned [...] Read more.
Indole alkaloids are major bioactive compounds in Strobilanthes cusia. Although methyl jasmonate treatment can promote the accumulation of indole alkaloids in S. cusia, the transcriptional regulation remains unclear. In this study, the jasmonic acid responsive bHLH transcription factor ScMYC2 was cloned and characterized. It encodes a protein containing 477 amino acids, which features typical bHLH-MYC_N and HLH domains. ScMYC2 localized in the nucleus, showed tissue specific expression consistent with indole alkaloid accumulation, and was significantly induced by methyl jasmonate. Furthermore, the coding sequence of ScMYC2 was cloned into an expression vector and overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation technology. Alkaloid metabolic analysis was performed on three homozygous A. thaliana lines (ScMYC2-OE1, OE2, OE3) stably transformed using UPLC-MS/MS. The results indicated that, compared with wild-type, 14 differential metabolites were detected in the A. thaliana lines overexpressing ScMYC2. Among them, the content of indole increased to 2.83-fold that of the wild-type, while the indole glycoside component indole-3-cyano-6-O-glucoside increased to 2.35-fold. Yeast two-hybrid screening identified 35 ScMYC2-interacting proteins, including UDP-glycosyltransferase, TOPLESS-related proteins, and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. BiFC assays further confirmed the in vivo interaction between ScMYC2 and ScUGT1. These findings suggest that ScMYC2 is associated with methyl jasmonate-responsive regulation of indole alkaloid biosynthesis and provides genetic resources for the cultivation of S. cusia with high medicinal value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Nutrition)
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16 pages, 4786 KB  
Article
Crown-Scale Surface Sealing Is Associated with Leaf and Seed-Hair Traits of Female Populus tomentosa: Implications for Sustainable Landscape-Site Management
by Jiyou Zhu and Hongyuan Li
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1022; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081022 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 364
Abstract
Impervious surfaces create heterogeneous planting sites for urban trees, but whether crown-scale sealing is associated jointly with leaf economics and reproductive dispersal morphology remains unclear. We aimed to test these associations in mature female Populus tomentosa while treating impervious surface area (ISA) as [...] Read more.
Impervious surfaces create heterogeneous planting sites for urban trees, but whether crown-scale sealing is associated jointly with leaf economics and reproductive dispersal morphology remains unclear. We aimed to test these associations in mature female Populus tomentosa while treating impervious surface area (ISA) as a composite indicator of site context rather than a direct measure of thermal or hydrological stress. In a single-season, cross-sectional survey of 180 trees in Beijing (60 per low-, mid-, and high-ISA descriptive stratum), we measured crown-scale ISA, short-term midday ground-surface temperature, a pervious-soil access-moisture index (PSAMI), eight leaf traits, and five reproductive traits, and analyzed continuous associations, group contrasts, effect sizes, and multivariate patterns. Greater ISA was associated with lower PSAMI (R2 = 0.581) and higher land surface temperature (R2 = 0.845). Compared with low-ISA trees, high-ISA trees had lower specific leaf area (117.5 ± 29.1 vs. 90.9 ± 19.0 cm2 g−1; Hedges’ g = −1.07, 95% CI [−1.50, −0.71]) and longer seed hairs (0.564 ± 0.067 vs. 0.727 ± 0.078 cm; g = 2.24, 95% CI [1.82, 2.78]), together with greater fuzz biomass and lower seed mass. Multivariate analyses showed coordinated shifts in mean leaf and reproductive phenotype without stronger within-stratum cross-module integration. We conclude that the study’s principal contribution is the joint description of vegetative economics and reproductive dispersal morphology on the same mature urban trees. Because ISA co-varied with land use and management and PSAMI includes structural zeros, the findings are preliminary and do not establish causal stress mechanisms, plant-available water status, airborne exposure, or management effects; multi-year matched-site validation is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Cultivation and Performance of Ornamental Plants)
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20 pages, 6084 KB  
Article
Comprehensive Assessment of Pomological, Colorimetric, and Nutraceutical Quality Dynamics in Nine Sweet Cherry Cultivars (Prunus avium L.) Harvested at Two Ripening Stages Under Mediterranean Conditions
by Salem Alhajj Ali, Andrea Mazzeo, Giuseppe Ferrara, Maria Cristina Todisco and Marino Palasciano
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1021; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081021 - 17 Aug 2026
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Abstract
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a non-climacteric fruit that reaches its optimal organoleptic and nutraceutical quality only when fully ripened on the tree. However, growers often harvest prematurely to avoid weather-related losses or to capture early-market premiums. This study evaluated the [...] Read more.
Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a non-climacteric fruit that reaches its optimal organoleptic and nutraceutical quality only when fully ripened on the tree. However, growers often harvest prematurely to avoid weather-related losses or to capture early-market premiums. This study evaluated the impact of harvest timing on the pomological and nutraceutical profiles of nine red-skinned sweet cherry cultivars (Black Star, Burlat, Cashmere, Ferrovia, Giorgia, Grace Star, Lapins, Regina, Sandra Rose) grown in the Puglia region of Southeastern Italy, a major Mediterranean production area. Fruits were collected at two maturity stages: light-red skin (Stage 1) and dark-red skin (Stage 2). Pomological parameters, i.e., fruit weight, equatorial diameter, CIELAB color parameters, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and nutraceutical metrics (total polyphenols, total anthocyanins, FRAP antioxidant activity) were measured. Delaying harvest significantly increased fruit weight (5.7–24.5%), equatorial diameter (up to 9.8%), and SSC (14.0% average, up to 26.4% in early ripening cultivars), while decreasing TA in most cultivars (non-significant in some). The SSC/TA ratio, a key driver of consumer preference, improved substantially across all genotypes. CIELAB parameters h° and C* decreased sharply, and L* generally decreased, reflecting intense anthocyanin accumulation. Total polyphenols increased by 20.7–68.8%, total anthocyanin content (TAC) by 203–1053% and FRAP antioxidant capacity by 20.7–111.7%. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant (p < 0.01), cultivar × stage, interactions for all parameters, confirming genotype-dependent ripening kinetics. Principal component analysis using all quality parameters clearly separated Stage 1 from Stage 2 fruits, with SSC, TAC, and FRAP as primary discriminators. These results demonstrate that delaying harvest until a uniform dark-red skin consistently enhanced fruit size, SSC, and health-promoting bioactive compounds across all evaluated genotypes. We provide cultivar-specific harvest calendars, colorimetric targets (hue angle ≤ 10° for optimal maturity), and a quantitative framework to help growers balance quality improvement against agronomic risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology)
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23 pages, 5993 KB  
Article
Functional Characterization of JrLAR1 Gene Involved in Proanthocyanidin Biosynthesis in Red Walnut
by Wei Zhao, Yinan Huang, Weihan Ma, Yanxia Wu, Lei Wang and Yong Wang
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1020; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081020 - 16 Aug 2026
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Abstract
The characteristic red walnut germplasm ‘RW-1′ (Juglans regia L.) exhibits a stable red seed coat phenotype due to the abundant accumulation of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PAs). The regulatory mechanisms underlying PA biosynthesis in red walnut remain poorly studied, which hinders the improvement [...] Read more.
The characteristic red walnut germplasm ‘RW-1′ (Juglans regia L.) exhibits a stable red seed coat phenotype due to the abundant accumulation of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PAs). The regulatory mechanisms underlying PA biosynthesis in red walnut remain poorly studied, which hinders the improvement of walnut color quality. Leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) is a key enzyme in the PA metabolic pathway, while its function in red walnut remains unclear. Here, the leucoanthocyanidin reductase gene JrLAR1, whose expression pattern is consistent with the accumulation trend of PAs, was cloned from the seed coats of red walnut ‘RW-1′, and its function in PA biosynthesis was verified via heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana, a well-recognized cross-species LAR functional validation system free of endogenous LAR interference due to absent native homologs. The results showed that the full-length coding sequence (CDS) of JrLAR1 gene is 1104 bp, encoding a 367-amino-acid protein belonging to the NADB_Rossmann superfamily, and the protein shares an extremely high sequence similarity with grape VvLAR2. Heterologous overexpression of JrLAR1 significantly increased total PA content in the leaves and seeds of A. thaliana. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses further revealed that JrLAR1 overexpression markedly upregulated the core genes involved in PA metabolism and the transcription factor GL3 in A. thaliana, specifically induced (+)-catechin synthesis, and ultimately promoted the significant accumulation of procyanidin B3. In addition, a set of antioxidant enzyme-encoding genes were substantially upregulated in JrLAR1-overexpressing A. thaliana lines. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that JrEGL1b, a homolog of A. thaliana GL3, can bind to the promoter region of JrLAR1 gene and significantly enhance its transcriptional activity. Transient overexpression of JrLAR1 or JrEGL1b in red walnut leaves significantly promoted PA accumulation, and JrEGL1b overexpression notably upregulated JrLAR1 expression. In conclusion, JrLAR1 plays a crucial role in PA biosynthesis in red walnut and is positively regulated by the transcription factor JrEGL1b. These findings improve the molecular regulatory network of pigment metabolism in red walnut and provide valuable molecular targets for the quality improvement and directional breeding of walnuts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology)
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20 pages, 3343 KB  
Article
Single-Cell Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals the Temporal Dynamics of Early Defense Mechanisms in Grapevine Response to Powdery Mildew Infection
by Yasheng Xi, Kai Wu, Bofan Liu, Xiukun Yao, Zhizhuo Xu, Peining Fu and Jiang Lu
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1019; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081019 - 16 Aug 2026
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Abstract
The powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe necator poses a major threat to global viticulture, yet the earliest hours of colonization remain transcriptionally uncharacterized at the single-cell resolution. Here, we constructed a single-cell leaf transcriptomic atlas of Vitis vinifera during early E. necator infection by [...] Read more.
The powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe necator poses a major threat to global viticulture, yet the earliest hours of colonization remain transcriptionally uncharacterized at the single-cell resolution. Here, we constructed a single-cell leaf transcriptomic atlas of Vitis vinifera during early E. necator infection by profiling 113,346 cells across five leaf cell types at 0-, 3-, 6-, and 12 h post-inoculation. This revealed cell-type-specific temporal dynamics of defense-related gene expression, with epidermal cells showing delayed transcriptional activation relative to other cell types. Pseudotime trajectory analysis identified four sequential transcriptional states in epidermal cells, and co-expression network analysis uncovered defense-associated gene modules. We identified 230 NLR immune receptor genes exhibiting distinct cell-type-specific expression patterns and 20 small secreted peptide (SSP)-encoding genes differentially expressed in epidermal cells, including four candidates upregulated at 3 or 6 hpi. These findings provide a transcriptomic framework for understanding cell-type-specific defense dynamics and prioritizing candidate genes for functional studies, thereby offering a molecular resource for breeding powdery mildew-resistant grapevine cultivars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Breeding for Grape Quality and Stress Resilience: Integrating Genomics and Phenomics)
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16 pages, 1021 KB  
Article
Trade Incentives and Destination-Market Dynamics in Türkiye’s Cherry Exports: Evidence from Gravity Modelling and Machine Learning
by Rahmiye Figen Ceylan Hozer, Makbule Nisa Mencet Yelboğa, Surendran Arumugam, Burhan Özkan and Sonal Pandey
Horticulturae 2026, 12(8), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12081018 - 15 Aug 2026
Viewed by 563
Abstract
Although Türkiye is among the leading producers of cherries worldwide, its export performance does not fully reflect its production potential. This gap points to the importance of understanding how trade incentives, destination-market demand, and trade costs shape export outcomes in high-value horticultural products. [...] Read more.
Although Türkiye is among the leading producers of cherries worldwide, its export performance does not fully reflect its production potential. This gap points to the importance of understanding how trade incentives, destination-market demand, and trade costs shape export outcomes in high-value horticultural products. This study investigates the determinants of Türkiye’s fresh cherry exports during 2015–2023 by combining a gravity trade model with machine learning approaches. The empirical framework incorporates export support mechanisms, macroeconomic indicators of partner countries, import demand, and geographical distance between Türkiye and its trading partners. It was found out that trade incentives have a positive effect on cherry exports; showing support mechanisms can strengthen Türkiye’s competitiveness in international markets. The findings also reveal that rising import demand in destination countries stimulates exports, while geographical distance and adverse changes in importer income conditions limit export performance. These results suggest that maintaining export incentives alone may not be sufficient; rather, support policies should be adjusted according to market-specific demand conditions, income dynamics, and trade-cost factors. By integrating policy variables with destination-market characteristics, this study provides empirical evidence for designing more effective export support strategies for Türkiye’s cherry sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural Economics, Policy, Business Management and Marketing)
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