Agriculture

Research

Jump to: Review

20 pages, 4158 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Cultivation Conditions on Selected Physical Properties of Fruits in New Polish Biotypes of Cornus mas L.

by Anna Bieniek, Natalia Bielska, Arkadiusz Bieniek and Ewa Dragańska

Agriculture 2026, 16(9), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16091011 - 6 May 2026

Viewed by 566

Abstract

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a relatively underutilized orchard species that is well suited for organic cultivation. Due to the health-promoting properties of its fruit, cornelian cherry attracts increasing interest from both consumers and the processing industry. The fruit has a [...] Read more.

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a relatively underutilized orchard species that is well suited for organic cultivation. Due to the health-promoting properties of its fruit, cornelian cherry attracts increasing interest from both consumers and the processing industry. The fruit has a wide range of applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This study analyzed the impact of weather conditions in northeastern Poland on the yield and physical properties of the fruits and seeds of 22 of cornelian cherry biotypes. The fruit of the new Polish biotypes differed in harvest time, yield, and morphological traits. These characteristics were influenced by regional weather conditions, including temperature and precipitation. The results confirm that temperatures in April, August, and September, as well as precipitation in September, negatively affected the yield of the evaluated cornelian cherry biotypes. Mean annual temperature was significantly positively correlated with seed weight, length, and width. These biotypes provide a strong foundation for developing new cultivars that are adapted to northeastern Poland and other regions with a similar climate. The fruits of these biotypes may be used to develop innovative food products and may have potential applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 18066 KB

Open AccessArticle

Grapevine Winter Pruning Point Localization Using YOLO-Based Instance Segmentation

by Magdalena Kapłan and Kamil Buczyński

Agriculture 2026, 16(9), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16090943 - 24 Apr 2026

Viewed by 939

Abstract

Winter pruning is a key management practice in viticulture that directly affects vine architecture, yield balance, and grape quality. At the same time, it is a highly labor-intensive operation, and the selective identification of appropriate cutting locations remains one of the main challenges [...] Read more.

Winter pruning is a key management practice in viticulture that directly affects vine architecture, yield balance, and grape quality. At the same time, it is a highly labor-intensive operation, and the selective identification of appropriate cutting locations remains one of the main challenges limiting the automation of pruning in vineyards. Advances in machine vision provide new opportunities to support the development of robotic pruning systems. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a vision-based method for estimating grapevine pruning points and cutting lines using instance segmentation outputs generated by YOLO models. A dataset of 1500 RGB images of dormant grapevines was collected under field conditions in the Nobilis vineyard located in southeastern Poland. Two annotation strategies were implemented to define pruning regions. YOLO-based instance segmentation models were trained and evaluated for detecting cutting-related structures. Based on the predicted segmentation masks, a geometry-based method termed PCAcutSeg-V was developed to estimate class-dependent cutting points and cutting lines using principal component analysis applied to object contours. The results indicate that YOLOv8 and YOLO11 architectures achieved the highest segmentation performance among the evaluated models. The simplified annotation strategy provided more stable geometric inputs for the PCAcutSeg-V method, enabling more reliable estimation of cutting points and cutting lines compared with the extended annotation approach. When combined with the PCAcutSeg-V method, the proposed perception–geometry pipeline achieved high effectiveness in pruning decision estimation. The method was further implemented in a real-time processing pipeline using an RGB camera and an edge computing platform, where it maintained performance consistent with the results obtained from offline image analysis. These findings demonstrate that combining deep learning-based instance segmentation with deterministic geometric reasoning enables accurate and interpretable estimation of grapevine pruning locations and provides a promising foundation for future autonomous pruning systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

43 pages, 12366 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Foliar Biostimulant Applications on Primocane Raspberry Assessed by UAV-Based Multispectral Imaging

by Kamil Buczyński, Magdalena Kapłan and Zbigniew Jarosz

Agriculture 2026, 16(8), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16080835 - 9 Apr 2026

Viewed by 420

Abstract

The use of biostimulants in agriculture is increasing; however, their effects on raspberry remain insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of foliar-applied biostimulants on yield and growth in three primocane raspberry cultivars grown under field conditions using [...] Read more.

The use of biostimulants in agriculture is increasing; however, their effects on raspberry remain insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of foliar-applied biostimulants on yield and growth in three primocane raspberry cultivars grown under field conditions using multispectral imaging based on unmanned aerial vehicles. An experiment included a control and four foliar biostimulant treatments based on animal-derived amino acids, plant-derived amino acids, seaweed extract, and seaweed extract combined with animal-derived amino acids. Biostimulant effects on primocane raspberry were found to vary substantially depending on cultivar, environmental conditions, and formulation type, with measurable impacts on both yield formation and vegetative growth. These responses were further supported and characterized using multispectral UAV-based mutlispectral imaging, which enabled effective detection of treatment-related physiological changes. This approach was based on the analysis of relative percentage changes between consecutive measurements of selected vegetation indices, allowing the identification of dynamic physiological responses over time. These findings highlight the need for a more targeted approach to biostimulant use, taking into account cultivar-specific responses and environmental variability. Future research should extend this framework to a broader range of genotypes, cultivation systems, and biostimulant formulations, while integrating remote sensing with other analytical methods to better understand plant physiological responses. Such developments may support the transition toward data-driven and precision-guided biostimulant application strategies in sustainable crop production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

37 pages, 4825 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Cane Density on Primocane Raspberry Assessed Using UAV-Based Multispectral Imaging

by Kamil Buczyński, Magdalena Kapłan and Zbigniew Jarosz

Agriculture 2026, 16(7), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16070742 - 27 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 669

Abstract

Cane density is a key management factor in raspberry production, directly affecting yield formation and canopy structure. However, most previous studies have focused on floricane cultivars and relied on conventional field measurements, while the response of primocane raspberries and their canopy level dynamics [...] Read more.

Cane density is a key management factor in raspberry production, directly affecting yield formation and canopy structure. However, most previous studies have focused on floricane cultivars and relied on conventional field measurements, while the response of primocane raspberries and their canopy level dynamics remain less explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate how cane density influences yield components, cane growth, and canopy structure in primocane raspberry cultivars, and to assess whether these effects can be captured using UAV-based multispectral imaging. Field experiments were conducted over two growing seasons using two primocane cultivars grown under different cane density treatments. Yield components and cane growth parameters were measured, and repeated drone multispectral surveys were performed during the production period to quantify the spatial and temporal variability of vegetation indices. Increasing cane density led to higher total yield per unit area in both cultivars, mainly through an increase in fruit number rather than fruit weight, indicating a compensatory yield response. Cane density significantly modified canopy architecture, with responses varying between cultivars and seasons. Multispectral vegetation indices revealed predominantly consistent density-dependent gradients, characterized by higher mean values and reduced spatial and temporal variability at higher cane densities. Denser cane configurations were associated with lower total temporal amplitude and smoother seasonal trajectories, indicating a stabilization of canopy reflectance dynamics. Although this overall pattern was preserved across indices, the magnitude and regularity of temporal responses were index-specific and cultivar-dependent. The results demonstrate that cane density management in primocane raspberries affects both yield formation and canopy structure, and that these effects can be effectively monitored using UAV-based multispectral imaging. Integrating remote sensing with field measurements offers a valuable approach for supporting data-driven optimization of raspberry production systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

25 pages, 3809 KB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Floricane Raspberry Shrubs from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery Using YOLO Models

by Magdalena Kapłan, Kamil Buczyński and Zbigniew Jarosz

Agriculture 2026, 16(6), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16060664 - 14 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 709

Abstract

The present study investigated the detection performance of the YOLOv8s, YOLO11s, and YOLO12s models, implemented within convolutional neural network architectures, for identifying floricane raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) shrubs using RGB imagery and multispectral data acquired in the near-infrared, red-edge, red, and green [...] Read more.

The present study investigated the detection performance of the YOLOv8s, YOLO11s, and YOLO12s models, implemented within convolutional neural network architectures, for identifying floricane raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) shrubs using RGB imagery and multispectral data acquired in the near-infrared, red-edge, red, and green spectral bands with a DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral drone. Model training and validation were conducted to evaluate both within-modality detection performance and cross-modality transferability. Under all training scenarios, the YOLO-based detectors reached near-saturated accuracy levels. However, cross-domain assessments demonstrated substantial variability depending on the spectral configuration of the input imagery. Overall, the combination of UAV-based multispectral sensing with convolutional neural network detection frameworks establishes a technological basis for automated shrub monitoring and constitutes a meaningful advancement toward intelligent raspberry production systems. This integration further creates new prospects for the technological development of cultivation practices for this crop within the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence-driven agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1101 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exogenous Gibberellins Affect the Setting, Development, and Quality of ‘Golden Delicious’ Apple Fruits

by Sebastian Przybyłko, Konrad Sas, Jacek Marszał, Kamila Łucja Bokszczanin and Ewa Szpadzik

Agriculture 2026, 16(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16010026 - 21 Dec 2025

Viewed by 946

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gibberellins on the setting and quality of parthenocarpic apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.). The experiment was conducted in 2021 on the ‘Golden Delicious’ cultivar in the Warsaw University of Life Sciences [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gibberellins on the setting and quality of parthenocarpic apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.). The experiment was conducted in 2021 on the ‘Golden Delicious’ cultivar in the Warsaw University of Life Sciences experimental orchard. During the trial, we compared the effect of various gibberellins, such as GA₃, GA₄₊₇, and a mixture of GA₃ + GA₄₊₇. These gibberellins were administered to both intact and mechanically injured flowers (damaged by emasculation and style removal) at the pink bud stage. The results clearly demonstrate that gibberellins applied during blooming supported the induction of parthenocarpic fruit setting in Golden Delicious apples; however, fruitlet retention remained significantly lower than in natural pollinated flowers. The most efficient treatment among emasculated flowers was the mixture of GAs, resulting in a final fruit retention of 23.6%. Fruit size and morphology differed across treatments: GA₃ applied on intact flowers resulted in the largest parthenocarpic fruits, while the GA₄₊₇ and GAs mixture promoted a more elongated fruit shape. Moreover, gibberellin treatment affected other fruit quality traits. Almost all GA treatments led to a higher soluble solids content in fruits. In addition, apples derived from intact flowers treated with GA₃ showed reduced firmness. Overall, our findings indicate that gibberellins can support fruit set, even when flowers are injured, and to lower extent modify fruit quality, but the results depend on flower condi-tions and the type of GA used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 4863 KB

Open AccessArticle

CFD-Based Pre-Evaluation of a New Greenhouse Model for Climate Change Adaptation and High-Temperature Response

by Chanmin Kim, Rackwoo Kim, Heewoong Seok and Jungyu Kim

Agriculture 2025, 15(24), 2614; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15242614 - 18 Dec 2025

Viewed by 1168

Abstract

Global warming has intensified heat waves, severely threatening agricultural productivity and food security. In South Korea, heat waves have strengthened since the 1980s, often causing summer cooling demands far exceeding winter heating needs. Controlled-environment horticulture offers a vital alternative to open-field farming, yet [...] Read more.

Global warming has intensified heat waves, severely threatening agricultural productivity and food security. In South Korea, heat waves have strengthened since the 1980s, often causing summer cooling demands far exceeding winter heating needs. Controlled-environment horticulture offers a vital alternative to open-field farming, yet conventional structures such as the Venlo type remain vulnerable to high-temperature stress. This study pre-evaluates the thermal performance of a high-height wide-type greenhouse, developed by the Rural Development Administration, using computational fluid dynamics and compares it with a conventional Venlo-type structure. Simulations under extreme summer conditions (35–45 °C) considered natural ventilation, fogging, fan coil units, and hybrid systems. Thermal indicators, including air and root-zone temperatures, were analyzed to assess crop-sustaining conditions. Results showed that natural ventilation alone failed to maintain suitable environments. The high-height wide-type greenhouse achieved lower and more uniform temperatures than the Venlo type. Fogging and fan coil systems provided moderate cooling, while the hybrid system achieved the greatest reductions. Overall, the high-height wide-type greenhouse, especially when integrated with hybrid cooling, effectively mitigates heat stress and enhances thermal uniformity, providing quantitative guidance for structural selection and cooling-system configuration in greenhouse design under extreme thermal conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1940 KB

Open AccessArticle

Detection and Segmentation of Chip Budding Graft Sites in Apple Nursery Using YOLO Models

by Magdalena Kapłan, Damian I. Wójcik and Kamil Buczyński

Agriculture 2025, 15(24), 2565; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15242565 - 11 Dec 2025

Viewed by 664

Abstract

The use of convolutional neural networks in nursery production remains limited, emphasizing the need for advanced vision-based approaches to support automation. This study evaluated the feasibility of detecting chip-budding graft sites in apple nurseries using YOLO object detection and segmentation models. A dataset [...] Read more.

The use of convolutional neural networks in nursery production remains limited, emphasizing the need for advanced vision-based approaches to support automation. This study evaluated the feasibility of detecting chip-budding graft sites in apple nurseries using YOLO object detection and segmentation models. A dataset of 3630 RGB images of budding sites was collected under variable field conditions. The models achieved high detection precision and consistent segmentation performance, confirming strong convergence and structural maturity across YOLO generations. The YOLO12s model demonstrated the most balanced performance, combining high precision with superior localization accuracy, particularly under higher Intersection-over-Union threshold conditions. In the segmentation experiments, both architectures achieved nearly equivalent performance, with only minor variations observed across evaluation metrics. The YOLO11s-seg model showed slightly higher Precision and overall stability, whereas YOLOv8s-seg retained a small advantage in Recall. Inference efficiency was assessed on both high-performance (RTX 5080) and embedded (Jetson Orin NX) platforms. YOLOv8s achieved the highest inference efficiency with minimal Latency, while TensorRT optimization further improved throughput and reduced Latency across all YOLO models. These results demonstrate that framework-level optimization can provide substantial practical benefits. The findings confirm the suitability of YOLO-based methods for precise detection of grafting sites in apple nurseries and establish a foundation for developing autonomous systems supporting nursery and orchard automation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 3139 KB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Red, Yellow, and Purple Raspberry Fruits Using YOLO Models

by Kamil Buczyński, Magdalena Kapłan and Zbigniew Jarosz

Agriculture 2025, 15(24), 2530; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15242530 - 6 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1370

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of recent YOLO architectures, YOLOv8s, YOLOv9s, YOLOv10s, YOLO11s, and YOLO12s, for the detection of red, yellow, and purple raspberry fruits under field conditions. Images were collected using an smartphone camera under varying illumination, weather, and occlusion conditions. [...] Read more.

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of recent YOLO architectures, YOLOv8s, YOLOv9s, YOLOv10s, YOLO11s, and YOLO12s, for the detection of red, yellow, and purple raspberry fruits under field conditions. Images were collected using an smartphone camera under varying illumination, weather, and occlusion conditions. Each model was trained and evaluated using standard object detection metrics (Precision, Recall, mAP₅₀, mAP_50:95, F₁-score), while inference performance was benchmarked on both high-performance (NVIDIA RTX 5080) and embedded (NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX) platforms. All models achieved high and consistent detection accuracy across fruits of different colors, confirming the robustness of the YOLO algorithm design. Compact variants provided the best trade-off between accuracy and computational cost, whereas deeper architectures yielded marginal improvements at higher Latency. TensorRT optimization on the Jetson device further enhanced real-time inference, particularly for embedded deployment. The results indicate that modern YOLO architectures have reached a level of architectural maturity, where advances are driven by optimization and specialization rather than structural redesign. These findings underline the strong potential of YOLO-based detectors as core components of intelligent, edge-deployable systems for precision agriculture and automated fruit detection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 1133 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Energy Potential of Woody Vine Shoots Depending on the Training System, Cultivar, and Colour of the Fruit

by Richard Danko, Radek Sotolář, Mojmir Baroň, Magdalena Kapłan, Kamila E. Klimek and Grzegorz Maj

Agriculture 2025, 15(24), 2524; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15242524 - 5 Dec 2025

Viewed by 641

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the energy potential of woody grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) shoots depending on the cultivation system, cultivar, and fruit colour. Field studies were conducted in 2024 at the Mendel University Vineyard in Lednice (Czech Republic) [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to assess the energy potential of woody grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) shoots depending on the cultivation system, cultivar, and fruit colour. Field studies were conducted in 2024 at the Mendel University Vineyard in Lednice (Czech Republic) on Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, and Zweigelt cultivars, cultivated using the Guyot and Cordon systems. The cultivar analysis covered both the amount of biomass produced during pruning and its energy and emission properties. Laboratory tests of the energy potential of the biomass obtained were carried out at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. The results showed that the varietal factor significantly influenced the biomass parameters—Chardonnay was characterised by the highest total plant weight (773.57 g), while Zweigelt (8.60 pcs.) had the highest number of shoots with the lowest unit weight (74.82 g). The Cordon system generated significantly higher biomass yields and more favourable combustion properties compared to Guyot. Differences in fruit colour indicate that, among the studied cultivars, white-berried varieties produce heavier shoots, whereas red varieties produce a greater number of shoots. The analysis of gas emissions showed a significant influence of the cultivar and training system, with the highest CO, CO₂, and NOx emissions recorded for the Zweigelt cultivar. The results emphasise that an integrated approach, taking into account both genotypic factors, training systems and phenotypic characteristics of the vines, is crucial for optimising the use of wine biomass as an energy source in the context of a circular economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1651 KB

Open AccessArticle

Early-Stage Growth Performance of Apple Trees Under Different Biochar Application Methods in Mineral and Organic Fertilisation Regimes

by Gerard Podedworny and Sebastian Przybyłko

Agriculture 2025, 15(23), 2493; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232493 - 30 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1033

Abstract

Biochar has gained attention as a promising soil amendment capable of improving soil structure, nutrient retention and plant resilience to stress. However, its performance in perennial horticultural systems, particularly during the early stages of orchard establishment, remains insufficiently documented. This study, conducted in [...] Read more.

Biochar has gained attention as a promising soil amendment capable of improving soil structure, nutrient retention and plant resilience to stress. However, its performance in perennial horticultural systems, particularly during the early stages of orchard establishment, remains insufficiently documented. This study, conducted in 2021 in a newly established apple orchard (‘Gala Brookfield Baigent’/P 60) in Wieluń, Central Poland, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three methods of using cattle-manure-derived biochar at a dose of 10 t ha⁻¹ (application before ploughing prior to orchard establishment, application to planting holes and surface spreading). Neither tree growth nor fruiting potential were affected by biochar, which made the comparison of its application methods inconclusive. According to the principal component analysis performed, mineral nitrogen showed a tendency to promote the formation of mixed-type buds on short shoots, a propitious growing pattern for intensive orchard management. In contrast, compost fertilisation favoured vegetative growth over generative development, as reflected by the significantly negative coefficient in regression analysis (b = −0.12; 95% CI: −0.25 to –0.00 for the Box-Cox-scaled fruiting-to-growth potential ratio). Nonetheless, the overall growth response of apple trees in the first year after planting to the applied soil-enriching practices was rather modest, with this observation validating the strategy of reducing fertiliser doses during orchard establishment on productive soils maintained in good agricultural condition. Long-term studies under abiotic or nutrient-limiting constraints, as well as the combined use of biochar with microbial inoculants, are recommended to fully elucidate its potential in apple production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1269 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Storage Technologies on the Quality and Storability of Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) Tihope cv.

by Anna Skorupińska, Krzysztof P. Rutkowski, Zbigniew B. Jóźwiak, Monika Mieszczakowska-Frąc, Ewa Ropelewska, Anna Wrzodak, Justyna Szwejda-Grzybowska and Agnieszka Masny

Agriculture 2025, 15(23), 2449; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232449 - 26 Nov 2025

Viewed by 575

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the fruit quality of blackcurrant ‘Tihope’ cv. during storage in regular atmosphere (RA), controlled atmosphere (CA), and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Flesh firmness (elasticity), total soluble solids, titratable acidity, content of vitamin [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the fruit quality of blackcurrant ‘Tihope’ cv. during storage in regular atmosphere (RA), controlled atmosphere (CA), and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Flesh firmness (elasticity), total soluble solids, titratable acidity, content of vitamin C, polyphenols, sugars, and antioxidant capacity were measured at harvest, after storage, and after shelf life (1 day at 18 °C or 2 days at 10 °C). The incidence of storage disorders and diseases was also monitored. Additionally, the sensory quality of the stored fruit was also analysed. The fruit of the ‘Tihope’ cultivar can be stored at 0 °C, in a regular atmosphere, up to 20 days without any negative effect on its quality. Storage in a controlled atmosphere or in MAP packaging allows the extension of the storage period of blackcurrants even up to 33 days, thereby delaying the occurrence of fruit damage and loss of firmness. Fruit stored 33 days in CA showed almost 2.5 times higher firmness than fruit stored in RA. After storage, vitamin C, polyphenols, sugars, and antioxidant activity remained at a high level similar to those in the harvest period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 629 KB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Postharvest Quality in ‘Gala Schniga^® SchniCo Red(s)’ Apples: The Role of Harvest Date, Storage Duration, and 1-MCP Application

by Maria Małachowska and Kazimierz Tomala

Agriculture 2025, 15(22), 2363; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15222363 - 14 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1289

Abstract

Poland, as a leading apple producer in the EU, must maintain high fruit quality during prolonged storage and distribution, which is crucial for exports to distant markets. Therefore, it is essential to clearly identify which factors most strongly affect quality and the magnitude [...] Read more.

Poland, as a leading apple producer in the EU, must maintain high fruit quality during prolonged storage and distribution, which is crucial for exports to distant markets. Therefore, it is essential to clearly identify which factors most strongly affect quality and the magnitude of their effects in order to make informed choices about pre- and postharvest practices, storage technology, and logistics. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of selected factors on the quality of apples of the ‘Gala Schniga^® SchniCo Red(s)’ cultivar after long-term storage. The study analyzed the effects of harvest date (optimal and delayed), three variants of 1-methylcyclopropene application (control-0 µL·L⁻¹ 1-MCP, Harvista™, SmartFresh™, and Harvista™ + SmartFresh™), storage period (5, 7, and 9 months), simulated trading period (0 or 7 days at 20 °C) and storage technology (ULO: 1.2% CO₂: 1.2% O₂; DCA: 0.6% CO₂: 0.6% O₂) in two consecutive seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Five quality parameters were evaluated: flesh firmness (F), soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA ratio, and the concentration of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). Backward-elimination stepwise regression and partial eta squared (η²) calculations were used to analyze the data to determine the factors with the greatest impact. The post-harvest application of 1-MCP had the strongest effect in terms of maintaining firmness (η² = 70.4%) and acidity (η² = 38.0%) and reducing ACC content (η² = 21.3%). Harvista™ preparation had a weaker or negligible effect on ACC content, but reduced SSC (η² = 22.7%). Harvest date, storage duration, and shelf life significantly influenced all traits, with controlled-atmosphere regime further modulating outcomes. By integrating preharvest maturity with treatment timing and CA storage, we disentangled the relative contributions of harvest timing, treatment, and storage. The results provide actionable inputs for a decision-support tool to help producers maintain target quality—firmness, SSC, TA, SSC/TA, and ACC—through optimized practice, storage technology choice, and logistics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1511 KB

Open AccessArticle

Yield Performance and Physicochemical Properties of Selected Honey Berry (Lonicera caerulea L. var. kamtschatica Sevast.), Under Central Polish Conditions

by Ewa Szpadzik, Julia Trzcińska, Karolina Molska-Kawulok, Łukasz Seliga and Stanisław Pluta

Agriculture 2025, 15(21), 2225; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15212225 - 24 Oct 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1406

Abstract

Until recently, the blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L. var. kamtschatica Sevast.) was considered a niche species, but Poland is now one of the largest producers of this fruit in the world. The purpose of this study was to assess the yield, quality [...] Read more.

Until recently, the blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L. var. kamtschatica Sevast.) was considered a niche species, but Poland is now one of the largest producers of this fruit in the world. The purpose of this study was to assess the yield, quality of the fruits, and the health promotion value of the fruits of selected honey berry cultivars grown under the conditions of central Poland. Six cultivars (‘Morena’, ‘Vostorg’, ‘Honeybee’, ‘Wojtek’, ‘Boreal Beast’, and ‘Boreal Beauty’) were evaluated for yield and physical fruit characteristics: average fruit weight (g), dry matter content (%), fruit shape, fruit colour (CIE lab), firmness (N), soluble solid content (°Brix), pH, titratable acidity (% citric acid), as well as biologically active compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity (DPPH+). The studies also determined the degree of correlation between different variables using Pearson’s linear correlation coefficients. The highest yields were obtained for the ‘Wojtek’ and ‘Boreal Beauty’ cultivars, while in terms of health-promoting properties, the ‘Morena’ cultivar stood out, characterised by the darkest fruit colour, the highest content of polyphenols, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and the highest antioxidant activity. The correlation analysis showed relationships between the vitamin C content, antioxidant activity, and fruit colour and the accumulation of bioactive compounds. The differences observed among the cultivars tested indicated their different potential for use in the fresh consumption, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 1278 KB

Open AccessReview

The Use of Ethylene Production Inhibitors and Ethylene Perception Blockers in Horticulture

by Krzysztof Rutkowski and Grzegorz P. Łysiak

Agriculture 2026, 16(9), 950; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16090950 - 26 Apr 2026

Viewed by 850

Abstract

Ethylene is a key phytohormone regulating fruit ripening, the senescence of ornamental plants, and the post-harvest quality of horticultural products. Although numerous studies have described compounds that inhibit ethylene biosynthesis or perception, the available evidence remains fragmented across chemical groups, plant species, and [...] Read more.

Ethylene is a key phytohormone regulating fruit ripening, the senescence of ornamental plants, and the post-harvest quality of horticultural products. Although numerous studies have described compounds that inhibit ethylene biosynthesis or perception, the available evidence remains fragmented across chemical groups, plant species, and pre- and post-harvest applications. This review addresses that gap by critically integrating current knowledge on the principal inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis and perception used in horticulture, with emphasis on their sites of action, practical effectiveness, and limitations. Biosynthesis inhibitors, including aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), aminooxyacetic acid (AOA), daminozide, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), and oxalic acid (OA), reduce ethylene production at different stages of the ethylene pathway, whereas perception inhibitors such as 1-methylcyclopropene, 1-DCP, silver compounds, alkenes, and diazocyclopentadiene interfere with receptor binding and downstream ripening responses. The available literature indicates that 1-methylcyclopropene remains the most widely used commercial inhibitor, while oxalic acid is emerging as a promising natural modulator of ethylene-related processes. However, the efficacy of these compounds is strongly dependent on species, maturity stage, dose, temperature, and storage conditions, and some are additionally constrained by regulatory concerns, incomplete mechanistic understanding, or inconsistent performance. Overall, ethylene inhibitors are important tools for extending shelf life, maintaining firmness, delaying senescence, and reducing post-harvest losses. Further comparative and crop-specific studies are needed to optimize application strategies, improve environmental safety, and support the development of effective natural alternatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Adapting Horticultural Plant Cultivation Technology and Storage to Changing Conditions

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (15 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI