Horticulturae

19 pages, 2499 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Analysis of Sugar, Organic Acid, Phytohormones, and Enzyme Activities in Developing Fruit of White- and Red-Fleshed Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)

by Haishan An, Shuang Jiang, Shuigen Li, Xueying Zhang and Xiaofeng Yang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 886; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070886 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Sweet and sour flavors are the most important indicators of loquat fruit quality; they are determined not only by variety but also by the flesh type and the concentration and change patterns of sugars, organic acids, related enzyme activities, and endogenous phytohormones. This [...] Read more.

Sweet and sour flavors are the most important indicators of loquat fruit quality; they are determined not only by variety but also by the flesh type and the concentration and change patterns of sugars, organic acids, related enzyme activities, and endogenous phytohormones. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the physiological and biochemical characteristics associated with loquat fruit flavor formation by analyzing the changes and correlation in sugars, organic acids, enzyme activities, and endogenous hormones during fruit development in the white-fleshed, high-sugar cultivar ‘Qixing’ and the red-fleshed, sour–sweet cultivar ‘Huoju’. The results indicated a significant increase in total soluble sugars and individual sugars (mainly fructose, glucose, and sucrose), and a sharp decrease in organic acids (mainly malic acid). Correlation analysis revealed that the activities of sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were positively associated with sugar accumulation. In contrast, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME), and NAD-malate dehydrogenase (NAD-MDH) were crucial for organic acid metabolism. Phytohormone analysis indicated that indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) play vital roles in fruit enlargement, while abscisic acid (ABA) is important for fruit ripening in loquats. These findings provide insights into the physiological mechanisms underlying loquat fruit quality formation, reveal the enzymatic or hormonal regulatory effects on sugar accumulation and acid degradation, and provide a theoretical basis for improving the fruit flavor quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Advances in Fruit Quality Formation and Regulation)

13 pages, 639 KB

Open AccessArticle

Morphological Attributes and Metabolites of Seedlings in the Selection of Melon Genotypes Under Water Deficit

by Cintya Mikaelly Pereira Gaia Souza, Baltazar Cirino Júnior, Francismária Freitas de Lima, Rodrigo Rafael da Silva, Marvigna Lizier de Lima Dias Laurentino, Geovanna Alicia Dantas Gomes, Anddreza Maddalena, Adriano Ferreira Martins, Clarisse Pereira Benedito, Edicleide Macedo da Silva, Fred Augusto Lourêdo de Brito, Salvador Barros Torres, José Francismar de Medeiros, Thieres George Freire da Silva and Glauber Henrique de Sousa Nunes

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070885 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

The selection of genotypes with greater tolerance to water scarcity during the early stages of growth can be a promising strategy for genetic improvement, as it enables early screening and may accelerate the identification and selection of tolerant genotypes under field conditions. Therefore, [...] Read more.

The selection of genotypes with greater tolerance to water scarcity during the early stages of growth can be a promising strategy for genetic improvement, as it enables early screening and may accelerate the identification and selection of tolerant genotypes under field conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate initial seedling growth, metabolic responses, and the selection of melon genotypes under water-deficit conditions. For this purpose, seeds from twenty genotypes were subjected to two osmotic potentials induced by PEG 6000 (0.0 and −0.25 MPa), with four replicates in a completely randomized design. The variables analyzed were germination percentage, germination speed index, shoot and root length, shoot and root dry mass, total dry mass, drought tolerance coefficient, and concentrations of amino acids, total sugars, and proline. Univariate and multivariate analyses of variance were performed, and genotypes were grouped using the Scott–Knott method. Genotype classification was based on the estimated drought tolerance coefficient, which was also evaluated using the membership function value. A water deficit of −0.25 MPa negatively affected germination speed and percentage, root length, and shoot dry mass, whereas metabolites exhibited the opposite behavior. Genotypes I-136 and PI234607 were classified as drought-tolerant, genotypes A-50 and A-52 as susceptible, and genotypes A-08 and A-09 as highly susceptible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Growth, Development, and Stress Responses in Cucurbitaceae Crops)

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14 pages, 2714 KB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Destructive Prediction of Soluble Solid Content in Kumquats Using a Multi-Scale Convolutional Neural Network

by Xian Liu, Ling Zhang, Xiaoxin Shi, Weibin Tong and Juan Lin

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070884 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Traditional methods for detecting the soluble solid content (SSC) of kumquats are often destructive, time-consuming, and inefficient. In this study, a multi-scale convolutional neural network (MS-CNN)-based method is proposed for the rapid and non-destructive prediction of kumquat SSC. By integrating near-infrared spectroscopy (900–1700 [...] Read more.

Traditional methods for detecting the soluble solid content (SSC) of kumquats are often destructive, time-consuming, and inefficient. In this study, a multi-scale convolutional neural network (MS-CNN)-based method is proposed for the rapid and non-destructive prediction of kumquat SSC. By integrating near-infrared spectroscopy (900–1700 nm) with deep learning, 424 spectral samples of kumquats were collected and modeled using the MS-CNN framework. The proposed model adopts a multi-scale feature extraction structure inspired by the Inception architecture, which effectively enhances the representation of spectral features and reduces overfitting. Experimental results showed that the MS-CNN achieved an

R_{p}^{2}

of 0.88, an RMSEP of 0.62 °Brix, and an MAEP of 0.51 °Brix on the internal prediction set. Among the evaluated models, the MS-CNN achieved the highest

R_{p}^{2}

, while its RMSEP was comparable to that of PLSR and lower than those of SVR, BP, CNN, and BiLSTM. The proposed approach enables fast, accurate, and non-destructive prediction of kumquat SSC, providing a novel technical solution for fruit quality assessment. This work holds significant theoretical and practical value, and future efforts will focus on expanding the dataset, optimizing the network structure, exploring multi-index joint prediction, and promoting its real-world application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Fruit Production Systems)

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27 pages, 3374 KB

Open AccessArticle

Calibration of AquaCrop-OSPy Model for Greenhouse Tomato Under High Temperature Conditions Based on Whale Optimization Algorithm

by Wei Zeng, Xuewen Gong, Tianli Ren, Xinyu Wu, Yanbin Li, Rangjian Qiu, Jiankun Ge, Huanhuan Li, Jiehao Liang and Sitong Chen

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070883 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Calibration of crop model parameters using optimization algorithms can substantially improve model performance, particularly under different environmental scenarios. Here, we take greenhouse drip-irrigated tomato as an example. Two temperature treatments (high temperature, TH: 35 °C ≤ T_max ≤ 40 °C; non-high [...] Read more.

Calibration of crop model parameters using optimization algorithms can substantially improve model performance, particularly under different environmental scenarios. Here, we take greenhouse drip-irrigated tomato as an example. Two temperature treatments (high temperature, TH: 35 °C ≤ T_max ≤ 40 °C; non-high temperature, TD: T_max ≤ 35 °C) and two water treatments (well watered, WH: 100%E_pan; water deficit, WD: 60%E_pan, where E_pan is the pan evaporation coefficient) were combined and implemented in 2024 and 2025. Canopy cover, yield, aboveground biomass, and water consumption of tomatoes were measured, and then a global sensitivity analysis was conducted using the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST). Thereafter, in order to evaluate the performance of AquaCrop-OSPy under different combinations of temperature and water conditions, the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) was coupled with the AquaCrop-OSPy model, and an automatic parameter optimization framework was developed using the aforementioned measured indicators as objective functions. The results showed that CC_x, Senescence_CD, CGC_CD, WP, HI₀, and K_cb were highly sensitive parameters of the AquaCrop-OSPy model across different temperature and water treatments. Compared with the traditional trial and error (TAE) method, WOA demonstrated superior global optimization capability and significantly improved model performance. Validation indicated that the root mean square error (RMSE) was ≤4.52% for canopy cover, ≤0.67 t/hm² for yield, and ≤0.98 t/hm² for aboveground biomass. Notably, even after WOA optimization, water consumption simulation under combined high temperature and water deficit conditions still showed some deviation, which was attributed to limitations in soil water simulation and the oversimplification of model mechanisms under combined stress. Nevertheless, the model remained reliable for estimating canopy cover, yield, and biomass, while ET simulation under combined stress should be interpreted with caution. Therefore, future improvements of AquaCrop-OSPy should focus on addressing the effects of soil water and refining the inhibitory feedback of physiological stress to better adapt the model to the combined conditions of high temperature and water deficit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Irrigation in Horticultural Production)

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21 pages, 1251 KB

Open AccessArticle

Grape Phenolic Composition Analysis of ‘Tempranillo Tinto’ and ‘Graciano’ Grapevine Clones

by Javier Portu, Erica Herce, Débora Martínez-Espinosa and Alicia Pou

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 882; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070882 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Climate change poses an increasing threat to viticulture sustainability, particularly in traditional wine regions, where varietal regulations restrict the adoption of new cultivars. Elevated temperature and water deficit may alter anthocyanin accumulation and the broader phenolic profile of ripening berries, directly affecting wine [...] Read more.

Climate change poses an increasing threat to viticulture sustainability, particularly in traditional wine regions, where varietal regulations restrict the adoption of new cultivars. Elevated temperature and water deficit may alter anthocyanin accumulation and the broader phenolic profile of ripening berries, directly affecting wine colour, structure, and quality. In this context, exploring intra-varietal diversity may help to identify clones with a favourable phenolic profile that could contribute to adaptation strategies within existing varietal regulations. We report the first comprehensive monomeric phenolic profiling, by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS, of grape berries from eleven Vitis vinifera L. ‘Tempranillo Tinto’ clones (two seasons) and seven ‘Graciano’ clones (three seasons), from old vineyards in La Rioja (Spain). Six phenolic classes were quantified: hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavonols, flavanols, stilbenes, and anthocyanins. Multivariate analysis of variance, linear mixed-effects models, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to characterize clonal diversity. Significant clone effects were detected for all six phenolic classes in ‘Graciano’ and four in ‘Tempranillo Tinto’. In ‘Graciano’, clone GR_1250 was distinguished by elevated flavonol and anthocyanin levels, whereas GR_1265 showed the highest flavanol and hydroxybenzoic acid content. In ‘Tempranillo Tinto’, clone TT_1041 stood out for its higher flavanol and hydroxybenzoic acid concentrations, whereas TT_767 had elevated anthocyanin levels. Two to four distinct phenotypic clusters were identified within each variety. These results confirm substantial intra-varietal phenolic diversity in both cultivars and identify clonal selections with differential phenolic profiles that may be useful for quality-oriented clonal selection, particularly when integrated with agronomic, phenological, sanitary and wine-level information. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress on Grape Genetic Diversity)

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16 pages, 2883 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Evaluation of Phenotypic Diversity and Nutritional Properties of Mango Leaves

by Jing Zhang, Changli Mao, Ni Liu, Ziyan Liu, Xiaoran Qian, Xiaoping Zhu, Jin Liu and Yingfeng Niu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070881 (registering DOI) - 18 Jul 2026

Abstract

Mango is a globally vital tropical commercial fruit crop boasting a sizable industry and remarkable economic benefits. Nevertheless, mango leaves, abundant in carbohydrates, polyphenols and other nutrients, remain underdeveloped in comprehensive resource exploitation. First, comparative analysis of leaf phenotypic traits and nutritional quality [...] Read more.

Mango is a globally vital tropical commercial fruit crop boasting a sizable industry and remarkable economic benefits. Nevertheless, mango leaves, abundant in carbohydrates, polyphenols and other nutrients, remain underdeveloped in comprehensive resource exploitation. First, comparative analysis of leaf phenotypic traits and nutritional quality at different developmental stages of the Guifei cultivar showed that mature leaves possessed significantly higher contents of soluble sugar, total polyphenols, and total flavonoids, as well as better comprehensive traits, indicating that the mature leaf stage is optimal for deep processing. Subsequent assays of 70 mango germplasms detected obvious differences in leaf phenotypic characteristics and nutritional quality among materials, with the coefficient of variation values ranging from 2.35% to 50.38%. Correlation analysis revealed significant intra-group correlations for leaf phenotypic indicators and antioxidant indicators, whereas the five basic nutritional indices were mutually independent. Cluster analysis classified the tested germplasms into four distinct groups with clear trait divergence and unique functional features. Five principal components were extracted from 11 leaf quantitative indices to construct a comprehensive evaluation system, which pinpointed elite accessions including Sri Lanka No.811, Nam Dok Mai, and Shuoshuai Mango, with Sri Lanka No.811 exhibiting the highest total polyphenol content. This study determines the optimal harvest period and elite germplasms for high-value utilization of mango leaves, facilitating special-purpose germplasm screening and targeted breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Breeding and Diversity of Fruit Germplasm Resources)

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13 pages, 2255 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparison of the Horizontal and Vertical Positions of the PET Bioreactor for In Vitro Commercial Propagation of Vanilla

by María Karen Serrano-Fuentes, Ricardo Hernández-Martínez, Obdulia Baltazar-Bernal, Eucario Mancilla-Álvarez, Ricardo Sánchez-Páez and Jericó Jabín Bello-Bello

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 880; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070880 (registering DOI) - 18 Jul 2026

Abstract

Temporary immersion systems represent an efficient, biotechnology-based alternative for micropropagation. This study compares the in vitro propagation of vanilla shoots in semisolid and liquid media using a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bioreactor in both horizontal and vertical positions. During the multiplication stage, these PET [...] Read more.

Temporary immersion systems represent an efficient, biotechnology-based alternative for micropropagation. This study compares the in vitro propagation of vanilla shoots in semisolid and liquid media using a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bioreactor in both horizontal and vertical positions. During the multiplication stage, these PET bioreactors were evaluated by measuring the following development variables: chlorophyll content, stomatal density, percentage of closed stomata, and dry matter percentage. Additionally, survival percentage was evaluated during the acclimatization stage. Our findings indicate that the different culture systems exert differential effects on the evaluated variables during in vitro multiplication. Both horizontal and vertical PET bioreactors yielded a higher number of shoots per explant, as well as increased dry matter percentage, stomatal density, and closed stomata. The longest shoots, featuring more leaves and higher chlorophyll content, were achieved in the horizontal PET bioreactor. Furthermore, plantlets cultured in the PET bioreactors exhibited the highest survival rates during greenhouse acclimatization. In conclusion, the in vitro multiplication of vanilla using PET containers as temporary immersion bioreactors represents an economical and efficient alternative for the micropropagation of this species on a commercial scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Tissue Culture Techniques for Sustainable Horticulture)

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23 pages, 3982 KB

Open AccessArticle

DFR-YOLOv12n: A Lightweight Detection Method for Tomato Leaf Diseases in Natural Environments via Detail-Preserving Downsampling, Feature Fusion Enhancement, and Regression Optimization

by Yanlu Han, Yi Zhu, Tianxiang Hu, Yubin Lan, Danfeng Huang and Shuo Zhao

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070879 (registering DOI) - 18 Jul 2026

Abstract

Tomato leaf disease detection in natural environments is challenged by subtle early-stage symptoms, complex backgrounds, leaf occlusion, and scale variation, which can lead to missed detections, false detections, and unstable leaf localization. Meanwhile, practical agricultural applications impose higher requirements on model lightweightness and [...] Read more.

Tomato leaf disease detection in natural environments is challenged by subtle early-stage symptoms, complex backgrounds, leaf occlusion, and scale variation, which can lead to missed detections, false detections, and unstable leaf localization. Meanwhile, practical agricultural applications impose higher requirements on model lightweightness and edge-deployment capability. To address these issues, this study proposes DFR-YOLOv12n, a lightweight tomato leaf disease detection model based on YOLOv12n that integrates detail-preserving downsampling, feature enhancement, and regression optimization. First, a multi-source dataset collected in natural environments was constructed and curated, covering eight categories: bacterial spot, early blight, late blight, leaf mold, mosaic virus disease, septoria leaf spot, yellow leaf curl virus disease, and healthy leaves. Second, SPDConv was introduced into key downsampling layers to preserve fine-grained disease-related visual cues. The A2C2f_DEConv module was incorporated into the P3 feature fusion branch to enhance leaf texture and disease-related appearance features under complex backgrounds. In addition, MPDIoU was adopted to optimize bounding box regression and improve whole-leaf localization under occlusion and background interference. The optimal model configuration was determined through insertion-position, module comparison, and ablation experiments. Compared with the baseline model, DFR-YOLOv12n increased Precision, Recall, and mAP@0.5 from 86.8%, 76.9%, and 86.5% to 88.1%, 81.7%, and 88.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, FLOPs decreased from 5.83 G to 5.27 G, the parameter count decreased from 2.51 M to 2.25 M, and the model size decreased from 5.22 MB to 4.71 MB. Furthermore, the model was successfully deployed and validated on the Jetson Nano platform, demonstrating its potential for edge applications. The results indicate that DFR-YOLOv12n achieves a favorable balance among detection accuracy, model complexity, and deployment feasibility, providing a reference for intelligent tomato leaf disease detection in natural environments. Full article

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14 pages, 2230 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Light-Quality Ratios on Growth and Development of Chrysanthemum morifolium Tissue-Cultured Plantlets

by Weichao Liu, Yong Yang, Yv Zhang, Wenqian Shang, Songlin He, Yuxiao Shen, Dan He, Yinglong Song, Zheng Wang and Liyun Shi

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070878 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different light-emitting diode (LED) light-quality combinations on the growth and development of Chrysanthemum morifolium tissue-cultured plantlets and to identify the optimal light-quality combinations for adventitious shoot induction and rooting. Six LED light-quality combinations consisting of [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different light-emitting diode (LED) light-quality combinations on the growth and development of Chrysanthemum morifolium tissue-cultured plantlets and to identify the optimal light-quality combinations for adventitious shoot induction and rooting. Six LED light-quality combinations consisting of red (R), blue (B), and far-red (Fr) light (80%R + 20%B, 70%R + 30%B, 60%R + 40%B, 80%R + 20%B + Fr, 70%R + 30%B + Fr, and 60%R + 40%B + Fr) were evaluated, with a fluorescent lamp serving as the control (CK). The responses to different light-quality combinations varied markedly between the adventitious shoot induction and rooting stages. During adventitious shoot induction, the carotenoid content, soluble protein content, and POD activity were highest under the 70%R + 30%B treatment, whereas chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and CAT activity reached their highest levels under the 70%R + 30%B + Fr treatment. The highest soluble sugar content and SOD activity were observed under the 60%R + 40%B + Fr treatment. These results suggest that the incorporation of far-red light into red–blue light combinations promoted photosynthetic pigment synthesis, photosynthate accumulation, and antioxidant capacity, thereby facilitating adventitious shoot induction. During the rooting stage, the greatest leaf number and SOD activity were observed under the 70%R + 30%B treatment, while the highest chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents were obtained under the 60%R + 40%B + Fr treatment. Plant height, leaf length, root length, fresh mass, dry mass, carotenoid content, soluble protein content, and CAT activity were highest under the 60%R + 40%B treatment. These findings indicate that red–blue mixed light effectively promoted leaf and root development, photosynthetic pigment synthesis, biomass accumulation, and maintenance of antioxidant capacity. Therefore, the 70%R + 30%B + Fr and 60%R + 40%B + Fr treatments were identified as the most suitable light-quality combinations for adventitious shoot induction, whereas the 60%R + 40%B treatment was the most suitable for rooting of C. morifolium tissue-cultured plantlets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovations in Floriculture and Medicinal Plant Production)

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15 pages, 11011 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Reframing Urban Fragmentation as Green Infrastructure: Integrating Ornamental and Aromatic Plants into Post-Socialist Landscape Design

by Sina Cosmulescu, Andreea Trif and Andreea Melinescu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 877; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070877 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

Urban fragmentation represents one of the major challenges affecting post-socialist residential neighborhoods, generating underutilized spaces characterized by ecological degradation and reduced spatial cohesion. This study investigates the potential of ornamental and aromatic plants to support the regeneration of apartment courtyard spaces and their [...] Read more.

Urban fragmentation represents one of the major challenges affecting post-socialist residential neighborhoods, generating underutilized spaces characterized by ecological degradation and reduced spatial cohesion. This study investigates the potential of ornamental and aromatic plants to support the regeneration of apartment courtyard spaces and their integration into urban green infrastructure systems through the evaluation of a proposed landscape design scenario. A comparative approach was employed, combining Space Syntax analysis, expert-based ecological assessment, and perceptual–visual evaluation to compare the existing site conditions with the proposed landscape design scenario in a post-socialist residential neighborhood in Craiova, Romania. Spatial configuration was assessed using the indicators of integration, connectivity, and mean depth, while ecological and perceptual performance were evaluated through biodiversity-related indicators and the Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) method based on expert assessments. The proposed intervention, founded on a stratified composition of ornamental and aromatic vegetation, reduced impervious surfaces and was associated with improvements in spatial permeability, biodiversity potential, and the visual quality of the landscape. Space Syntax analysis indicated an increase in configurational performance (ΔC ≈ +41.6%), while perceptual evaluation showed higher mean expert ratings for aesthetic, functional, and sustainability attributes in the proposed design scenario compared with the existing conditions. These findings suggest that, within the limits of this case study and the applied evaluation framework, small-scale green interventions based on ornamental and aromatic plants may contribute to improving the ecological and spatial performance of fragmented urban spaces and provide a methodological framework for assessing similar regeneration projects in post-socialist residential contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Cultivation and Breeding Propagation of Ornamental and Aromatic Plants and Their Use in Landscaping Design)

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19 pages, 1283 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Dwarfing Rootstocks on Growth and Fruit Quality of ‘Fuji’ Apple

by Yong-Xu Wang, Shu-Lei Xu, Yuan-Sheng Chang, Wen-Yan Zheng, Xiao-Wen He, Xiao-Na Wang, Ping He, Hai-Bo Wang, Chuan-Zeng Wang, Lin-Guang Li, Sen Wang and Ying Wang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070876 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

Dwarfing rootstocks are widely used in apple production to control tree vigor and improve fruit quality. However, their adoption in ‘Fuji’ orchards remains limited by high production costs and unstable field performance. In this study, five rootstock materials, namely GM256, GM310, MD001, LiaoZhen [...] Read more.

Dwarfing rootstocks are widely used in apple production to control tree vigor and improve fruit quality. However, their adoption in ‘Fuji’ orchards remains limited by high production costs and unstable field performance. In this study, five rootstock materials, namely GM256, GM310, MD001, LiaoZhen 2, and Malus hupehensis Rehd (CK), were evaluated for their effects on cold tolerance, tree growth, and fruit quality in ‘Fuji’ apple. Cold tolerance was assessed using electrolyte leakage and related physiological indicators under low-temperature stress. MD001 and GM256 exhibited significantly stronger cold tolerance than the control, as indicated by lower LT₅₀ values and more favorable physiological responses (p < 0.05). Regarding tree growth, GM310 showed the weakest dwarfing effect, while LiaoZhen 2 had a relatively high proportion of long shoots, suggesting excessive vegetative growth. Meanwhile, GM256 produced the highest yield among all combinations. Principal component analysis of fruit-quality traits indicated that GM256 and GM310 performed better overall than the other combinations. In addition, GM256 produced significantly higher soluble solids, vitamin C content, and sugar–acid ratio than the control and most other rootstocks (p < 0.05). Overall, GM256 combined strong cold tolerance, a balanced shoot composition, moderate tree vigor, and high fruit quality, suggesting that it is a promising rootstock for ‘Fuji’ apple cultivation in Shandong Province. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Advances in Fruit Quality Formation and Regulation)

23 pages, 2696 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Analysis of Main Agronomic Traits and QTL Mapping of Leaf Type in Spinach

by Lei He, Yanhai Ji, Shuang Yu and Zongwei Qian

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070875 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is an important leafy vegetable crop, and its leaf characteristics are important for spinach germplasm innovation and new variety breeding. In this study, spinach inbred lines P₁ and P₂ were used as parents to construct six-generation [...] Read more.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is an important leafy vegetable crop, and its leaf characteristics are important for spinach germplasm innovation and new variety breeding. In this study, spinach inbred lines P₁ and P₂ were used as parents to construct six-generation segregating populations. Based on multi-location trials, we adopted an improved analytical procedure for the major gene plus polygene mixed genetic model, and the genetic models governing leaf length, leaf width and petiole length in spinach were screened. Furthermore, a high-density genetic linkage map of spinach was constructed using re-sequencing data from 152 individuals of the F₂ population, and QTLs (quantitative trait loci) governing spinach leaf type were mapped to identify their candidate genes. The results showed that the optimal genetic model for leaf length was MX1-AD-ADI, for leaf width was MX1-AD-ADI, and for petiole length was MX2-ADI-AD. The genetic map developed from the F₂ segregating population contained 5900 bin markers assigned to six linkage groups, spanning a total genetic distance of 843.48 cM. One QTL associated with leaf length was mapped on chromosome 2 and designated qLL2-1, yet no candidate genes were identified within its candidate interval. Two QTLs controlling leaf width were mapped on chromosome 1 and chromosome 2, designated qLW1-1 and qLW2-1, respectively, and 15 genes were annotated in this candidate region. One QTL related to petiole length was located on chromosome 2 and named qPL2-1, with four genes annotated in its candidate interval. Combined with spinach genome annotation and expression-level analysis of candidate genes, the gene SOV2g023140 was identified as the candidate gene regulating spinach leaf width, which was named SpPINL2. Meanwhile, three genes regulating petiole length constituted a gene cluster FAR1-ULP-zf-GRF, designated SpFAR1-ULP-zf-GRF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Genetic Breeding and Biotechnology of Garden Plants)

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23 pages, 1907 KB

Open AccessReview

Integrating Genomic Markers and Non-Invasive Phenotyping for Early Sex Identification in Horticultural Plants: A Mechanism-Guided Framework

by Junzhu Zou, Ke Shi, Haidong Wu, Hao Shen, Yuxiao Qu, Ao Li and Junxiang Liu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070874 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

Early sex identification is essential for the propagation, cultivation, quality improvement, and germplasm management of dioecious horticultural plants and related functionally dioecious systems, particularly in perennial species with long juvenile phases. However, the reliability and transferability of sex-identification technologies depend strongly on the [...] Read more.

Early sex identification is essential for the propagation, cultivation, quality improvement, and germplasm management of dioecious horticultural plants and related functionally dioecious systems, particularly in perennial species with long juvenile phases. However, the reliability and transferability of sex-identification technologies depend strongly on the underlying sex-determining mechanism. Here, we synthesize recent advances in plant sex determination and diagnostic technologies, ranging from morphological and biochemical traits to molecular markers, high-throughput sequencing, structural-variant detection, and emerging non-invasive phenotyping. We propose that sex-identification strategies should be selected according to the biological target generated by each mechanism, including heteromorphic sex chromosomes, homomorphic sex-determining regions (SDRs), functional sex-determining genes, sex chromosome turnover, dosage-dependent systems, and environmentally labile sex expression. We further distinguish genetic, developmental, physiological, and phenotypic layers of plant sex, emphasizing that DNA markers and spectral phenotyping provide complementary information. Genomic markers and non-invasive phenotyping are expected to be consistent when genetic sex is stably expressed, but they may become inconsistent when sex expression is developmentally, hormonally, or environmentally modulated. While molecular markers remain the most reliable tools for confirmatory genotyping, Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), hyperspectral imaging, and machine learning may serve as rapid prescreening tools in large breeding populations, although their application remains at the proof-of-concept stage. Finally, we present a mechanism-guided decision framework for integrating genomic markers and non-invasive phenotyping to support early sex screening, propagation planning, planting-material optimization, and marker-assisted improvement in dioecious horticultural plants. Full article

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15 pages, 2399 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Biological Activities of Cotyledon and True Leaf Stages in Diverse Native Plant Seedlings

by Chang-Dae Lee, Sang-Yun Lee, Reyna Marie Therese Sanchez, Eunsol Ku, Neil Patrick Uy, Jonie Yee, Chung-Ho Choi and Sanghyun Lee

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070873 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

The transition from cotyledons to true leaves involves substantial metabolic changes. However, the stage-specific bioactive properties of native ornamental plants have not been thoroughly investigated. This study compared total phenolic and flavonoid contents together with preliminary biological activities of the cotyledon and true [...] Read more.

The transition from cotyledons to true leaves involves substantial metabolic changes. However, the stage-specific bioactive properties of native ornamental plants have not been thoroughly investigated. This study compared total phenolic and flavonoid contents together with preliminary biological activities of the cotyledon and true leaf stages in Lespedeza cyrtobotrya, Amorpha fruticosa, Flueggea suffruticosa, Ulmus parvifolia, Tripora divaricata, and Paulownia coreana seedlings to optimize their potential for horticultural applications. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) of ethanol extracts were evaluated, and radical scavenging capacities were assessed using ABTS and DPPH assays. Preliminary antibacterial activities were also investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, while potential quorum sensing (QS) inhibition was tested against Chromobacterium violaceum. The transition to the true leaf stage was consistently associated with increased TPC and TFC levels, suggesting increased antioxidant potential in L. cyrtobotrya, A. fruticosa, F. suffruticosa, and U. parvifolia. In contrast, cotyledons of T. divaricata and P. coreana exhibited preliminary antibacterial and antioxidant potential that surpassed those of the true leaves. As the true leaves matured, pigment-suppression activity was observed in selected extracts, suggesting that the true leaf stage may possess potential QS inhibitory activity. These stage-dependent bioactivities provide essential baseline data for optimizing harvest timing and highlight the potential of specific seedling stages for applications in urban horticulture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds from Horticultural Plants and Plant Byproducts: Cultivating Innovation for a Sustainable Future in Food Systems)

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17 pages, 320 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Preharvest and Postharvest Salicylic Acid and Oxalic Acid Treatment on the Long Cold Storage Quality of ‘Lane Late’ Navel Oranges and ‘Summerina’ Mandarins

by Madeline Kavanagh, John B. Golding, Hong Ngoc Thuy Pham, Michael C. Bowyer, Lluís Palou, Mark Bullot and Penta Pristijono

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070872 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

Preharvest and postharvest treatments are widely used to maintain citrus fruit quality during extended cold storage. This study evaluated the effects of pre- and postharvest applications of salicylic acid (SA) and oxalic acid (OA), applied separately and in combination, on the quality of [...] Read more.

Preharvest and postharvest treatments are widely used to maintain citrus fruit quality during extended cold storage. This study evaluated the effects of pre- and postharvest applications of salicylic acid (SA) and oxalic acid (OA), applied separately and in combination, on the quality of ‘Lane Late’ navel oranges and ‘Summerina’ mandarins at harvest and stored at 1 °C for 10 weeks followed by 1 week at 20 °C. Fruit quality attributes, including weight loss, fungal decay, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), electrolyte leakage, and biochemical markers, were assessed. Overall, treatments had limited and inconsistent effects on most quality parameters, with no significant differences observed in chilling injury, respiration rate, ethylene production, ethanol content, vitamin C content, malondialdehyde content, or colour. At harvest, oranges subjected to preharvest OA treatments had lower TSS and TA, while peel antioxidant capacity (AOC) was lower for oranges treated with preharvest SA or OA. After storage, postharvest SA reduced calyx stem-end rot by 30% in mandarins. Electrolyte leakage was reduced by preharvest SA in oranges and postharvest OA in mandarins, indicating improved membrane stability. No consistent synergistic effects were observed for combined treatments, and responses varied between cultivars, highlighting the importance of cultivar-specific optimisation. These findings indicate that SA and OA provide limited but targeted benefits under extended cold storage conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre- and Post-Harvest Treatments for Fruit and Vegetables)

25 pages, 886 KB

Open AccessReview

New Vegetable Products: From Native Genetic Resources to Innovative Developments in High-Consumption Species

by Juan A. Fernández, Catalina Egea-Gilabert, Angelo Signore, Annalisa Somma, Massimiliano Renna and Nazim S. Gruda

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070871 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

Selecting appropriate plant material is essential for successful vegetable production, as it directly affects product quality, market value, and consumer satisfaction. While major vegetable species already have stable markets, there is growing demand for innovative, healthy, and sustainable products, driving continuous development in [...] Read more.

Selecting appropriate plant material is essential for successful vegetable production, as it directly affects product quality, market value, and consumer satisfaction. While major vegetable species already have stable markets, there is growing demand for innovative, healthy, and sustainable products, driving continuous development in the sector. This study provides an overview of novel vegetable products, ranging from native resources to recent innovations in widely consumed crops. Special emphasis is placed on neglected species, particularly edible halophytes, which offer high nutritional value and strong potential under climate change conditions. The study also examines unconventional plants not traditionally used as vegetables, which can contribute to diversifying diets and supporting local economies. At the same time, the vegetable industry continues to innovate by developing new products from common species, taking advantage of their variability in size, shape, color, and taste, including the rising trend of miniaturized vegetables. In addition, the concepts of “superfoods” and functional foods are critically analyzed to clarify their respective significance and distinguishing characteristics. The role of branding is also highlighted due to its increasing influence on consumer preferences. Overall, the study integrates contributions from farmers, industry, and researchers to expand vegetable diversity, promote innovation, and enhance product quality and consumer satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Vegetable Production Systems)

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22 pages, 8670 KB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Characterization of Rose ABC Transporters Identifies RcABCG5/50/59 as Candidate Genes Associated with Botrytis cinerea Resistance

by Xiaoqian Cao, Meng Chen, Zicheng Wang, Hanyu Zhang, Xintong Liu and Zhao Zhang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070870 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea severely limits the postharvest quality of rose, but the contribution of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters to rose defense remains unclear. Here, we identified 185 RcABC genes in the Rosa chinensis genome and classified them into eight subfamilies, [...] Read more.

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea severely limits the postharvest quality of rose, but the contribution of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters to rose defense remains unclear. Here, we identified 185 RcABC genes in the Rosa chinensis genome and classified them into eight subfamilies, with RcABCG as the largest subfamily. DESeq2-based RNA-seq analysis identified 13 significantly upregulated RcABC genes in response to B. cinerea infection at 48 hpi, nine of which belonged to the RcABCG subfamily. At 48 hpi, the log₂ fold changes of these induced genes ranged from 1.34 to 7.98, and RcABCG5, RcABCG50, RcABCG59, and RcABCG60 were selected for functional analysis. Further phylogenetic, gene-structure, and promoter analyses showed that several full-size RcABCG members were closely related to previously reported defense-associated ABCG transporters and harbored predicted GA-, MeJA-, and ABA-responsive cis-elements. Virus-induced gene silencing reduced the relative transcript levels of RcABCG5, RcABCG50, RcABCG59, and RcABCG60 to 22.8%, 17.9%, 35.2%, and 27.5% of the TRV-GFP control, respectively. Mean lesion area increased from 39.27 mm² in TRV-GFP discs to 44.96, 46.95, and 43.23 mm² in RcABCG5-, RcABCG50-, and RcABCG59-silenced discs, respectively, whereas no significant lesion increase was observed in RcABCG60-silenced discs. Together, these results establish a genome-wide framework for defense-related ABC transporters in rose and identify RcABCG5/50/59 as candidate genes associated with gray mold resistance under VIGS conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biotic and Abiotic Stress)

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29 pages, 17288 KB

Open AccessArticle

GPC-Frame: Bridging Scene Perception and Harvesting Cognition for Active Disocclusion and Harvesting-Point Localization in Trellised Table-Grape Vineyards

by Zhengtong Ning, Jian Li, Pengfei Du, Yangwei Wang, Liangkuan Zhu and Yu Zhuang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070869 (registering DOI) - 17 Jul 2026

Abstract

In trellised table-grape vineyards, frequent occlusion and complex scene structure pose major challenges to harvesting robots in both target perception and executable decision-making. To address this, an integrated perception–cognition framework, GPC-Frame, was proposed. At the perception layer, a Transformer-based network with an InternImage [...] Read more.

In trellised table-grape vineyards, frequent occlusion and complex scene structure pose major challenges to harvesting robots in both target perception and executable decision-making. To address this, an integrated perception–cognition framework, GPC-Frame, was proposed. At the perception layer, a Transformer-based network with an InternImage backbone and DyHead was used for fine-grained multi-target segmentation of grape clusters, cluster stems, canes, petioles, and leaves. At the cognition layer, a Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) was used for structural and occlusion reasoning, categorizing targets into non-occluded, harvestable after disocclusion, and non-harvestable states. Skeleton extraction and node-degree analysis were then performed on cluster stem and petiole masks to enable coordinated localization of the disocclusion point (D-point) and harvesting point (H-point). The experimental results showed an mIoU of 83.64% for scene segmentation, with structural and occlusion reasoning accuracies of 96.36% and 95.90%, respectively. In field tests, harvesting success reached 89.19% for non-occluded targets, while D-point localization and subsequent harvesting success for occluded targets requiring disocclusion reached 86.52% and 85.11%, respectively. GPC-Frame also improved non-occluded H-point localization by 4.08–14.97 percentage points over state-of-the-art methods. These results indicate that GPC-Frame provides an executable perception–cognition framework for robotic table-grape harvesting in trellised vineyards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Intelligent Agriculture: Perception Technologies and Agricultural Equipment for Crop Production Processes)

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24 pages, 2626 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Assessment of Enhanced Silicate Application for Improved Pest and Disease Resistance in Commercial Almond Production, Allowing for Sustainable Waste Management

by Manjula Nishantha Udagepolage Don, Singarayer Florentine, Chris Turville and Kithsiri Dassanayake

Horticulturae 2026, 12(7), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12070868 - 16 Jul 2026

Abstract

The sustainable management of almond (Prunus dulcis) hulls and shells represents a major challenge for the global almond industry. Although almond hulls possess considerable nutritional value and can be used as livestock feed, concerns about pesticide residues limit their utilisation and [...] Read more.

The sustainable management of almond (Prunus dulcis) hulls and shells represents a major challenge for the global almond industry. Although almond hulls possess considerable nutritional value and can be used as livestock feed, concerns about pesticide residues limit their utilisation and pose environmental and economic disposal challenges. Therefore, alternative crop protection strategies that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides while maintaining productivity are required. Silicon has been widely reported to enhance plant resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses, improve nutrient utilisation, and increase crop productivity. This study evaluated the effects of an enhanced potassium silicate formulation applied through fertigation on pest and disease incidence, plant performance, and kernel yield in a commercial almond orchard over two consecutive growing seasons. The formulation contained potassium silicate (50% w/v), amino acids (42% w/v), Complex Polymeric Poly-Hydroxy Acid (CPPA) (1.5% w/v), and water. Treatments were applied twice per season at a rate of 30 L ha⁻¹ and compared with a grower-standard management program. Silicon-treated trees exhibited significantly lower levels of microbial disease damage in both leaves and mature nuts compared with untreated controls. Across the two growing seasons, pest- and disease-related damage to nuts was reduced by up to 59%. Silicon treatment also resulted in substantial increases in oven-dried kernel weight, ranging from 19% to 33% across the evaluated almond varieties. No adverse effects were observed on flower-to-nut conversion, chlorophyll content, kernel nutritional quality, or leaf nutrient status. The findings demonstrate that enhanced potassium silicate fertigation can improve pest and disease resistance while increasing kernel yield in commercial almond production systems. The technology offers a promising strategy for reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and supporting the sustainable utilisation of almond by-products, including their use in livestock feed and bioenergy production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM))

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