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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Vegetable Production Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 12671

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Josinaldo Lopes Araújo Rocha

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande 58434-500, PB, Brazil
Interests: soil fertilization; plant nutrition; environmental stress; biofertilization; hydroponics

Prof. Dr. Márcia Michelle Queiroz Ambrosio

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Guest Editor

Department of Agronomic and Forest Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Interests: ecological management of plant diseases; soil fungi; biological control; soil microbiology; plant diseases; beneficial bacteria

Prof. Dr. Railene Hérica Carlos Rocha Araújo

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Guest Editor

Department of Food Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande 58434-500, PB, Brazil
Interests: post-harvest; fruit biochemistry; plant propagation; plant physiology; food technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Horticulture can achieve high levels of sustainability if scientific and technological advances in various areas of knowledge are incorporated into production systems. Recent discoveries in areas such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, plant physiology, plant biochemistry, plant mineral nutrition and molecular biology have provided basic knowledge for the development of applied research in the generation of plant production techniques that have less impact on the quality of soil, water, the air, and human health and at the same time contribute to increasing food security.

This Special Issue, entitled “Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops”, aims to present innovative studies as well as new methodological and technological approaches that can contribute to the development of horticulture, considering the principles of sustainability.

We are pleased to invite you to submit original research articles or reviews that primarily deal with, but are not limited to, the following topics:

Biofertilizers;
Biological control;
Decrease in greenhouse gas emissions;
Erosion control;
Green manures;
Increased efficiency fertilizers;
Integrated pest and disease control;
Nutritional efficiency;
Organic and organomineral fertilization;
Agro-industrial wastes;
Water use efficiency.

Prof. Dr. Josinaldo Lopes Araújo Rocha
Prof. Dr. Márcia Michelle Queiroz Ambrosio
Prof. Dr. Railene Hérica Carlos Rocha Araújo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

agricultural nanotechnology
alternative fertilizers
biofertilization
biological control
climate changes
environmental sustainability
food safety
horticultural propagation
hydroponics
nutritional efficiency
organic fertilizer
production systems
use of waste
water efficiency

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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26 pages, 7613 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Orthodox vs. Recalcitrant? Germination and Early Growth of Phoenix Species (Arecaceae) Stored for up to Ten Years

by Concepción Obón, Sofía Pardo-Pina, Dennis Johnson and Diego Rivera

Horticulturae 2025, 11(5), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11050537 - 15 May 2025

Viewed by 281

Abstract

This study investigated seed storage behavior and seedling development patterns in the genus Phoenix L. (Arecaceae), addressing the knowledge gap regarding orthodox versus recalcitrant characteristics in these ecologically and economically significant palms. We examined the germination capacity and subsequent growth in 31 seed samples from various Phoenix species stored for up to 10 years at approximately 5 °C, at the Germplasm Bank at the Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, comprising 465 seeds monitored over a one-year period. The seed germination trials involved planting seeds in pots placed in an open-air greenhouse after ambient temperatures consistently exceeded 20 °C, typically after mid-June. Phoenix dactylifera, P. canariensis, P. theophrasti, the hybrid P. dactylifera × P. canariensis, and P. × “Palmeri” demonstrated orthodox seed storage behavior, maintaining viability for up to nine years. Conversely, P. sylvestris, P. pusilla, P. rupicola, and P. loureiroi consistently failed to germinate despite previous germination success, suggesting potential recalcitrant characteristics. Statistical analyses revealed that species identity and geographic origin exerted greater influence on germination success than seed age. Seedling development exhibited a conserved seasonal pattern across all species, with synchronized leaf emergence in September and March–July, followed by winter dormancy. Significant intraspecific variation was observed, particularly within P. dactylifera varieties, in both leaf production and final leaf length. These findings provide valuable insights into germplasm preservation and cultivation strategies, demonstrating that while some Phoenix species are suitable for long-term seed banking, others may require alternative conservation approaches. The observed species-specific and variety-specific differences offer important selection criteria for horticultural applications and conservation efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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21 pages, 3339 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Isolation and Characterization of Pseudomonas sp. HX1, Streptomyces luteogriseus HR40, and Streptomyces flavofungini HR77 as Promising Biocontrol Agents Against Verticillium Wilt in Hops Affected by Verticillium nonalfalfae

by Seyedehtannaz Ghoreshizadeh, Carla Calvo-Peña, Marina Ruiz-Muñoz, Maja Dobrajc, Sebastjan Radišek, Juan José R. Coque and Rebeca Cobos

Horticulturae 2025, 11(5), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11050459 - 25 Apr 2025

Viewed by 410

Abstract

Verticillium spp. are soil-borne fungal pathogens capable of infecting over 400 plant species via their root systems, with each species demonstrating a distinct host range. The primary host of Verticillium nonalfalfae is the hop plant (Humulus lupulus), which becomes affected by Verticillium wilt and, in severe cases, dieback. A dual screening approach was employed to isolate Streptomycetes as potential biocontrol agents from the hop root systems alongside other bacterial species from hop xylem. Three Pseudomonas strains from the xylem and three Streptomyces strains from the roots were selected based on their in vitro antifungal activity against Verticillium dahliae and/or V. nonalfalfae. Their potential for controlling Verticillium wilt was further assessed through in planta assays conducted under greenhouse conditions. The results demonstrated that Pseudomonas sp. HX1, Streptomyces luteogriseus HR40, and Streptomyces flavofungini HR77 significantly reduced the disease severity index by 32.56% compared to artificially infected control plants. In contrast, the commercial biocontrol product Serenade^® ASO, containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST 713, achieved a reduction of 13.96%. These findings underscore the potential of the selected bacterial strains as promising candidates for the biological control of Verticillium wilt in hops affected by V. nonalfalfae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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20 pages, 2840 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Growth and Production Parameters of Raspberries and Blackberries Cultivated in Romania

by Augustina Pruteanu, Gabriel Alexandru Constantin, Nicoleta Alexandra Vanghele and Valentin Vlăduț

Horticulturae 2025, 11(4), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11040369 - 28 Mar 2025

Viewed by 447

Abstract

There are a multitude of raspberry and blackberry varieties, and each of them develops differently depending on environmental factors and cultivation technology, so much research is needed to see which variety has the best yield in a desired area. This paper studied the growth under natural soil and specific climate conditions in the Bucharest–Ilfov region of Romania of a raspberry plantation and a blackberry plantation, both in their first year of vegetation. The studied interval, the period of June to October 2024, was established from the beginning of the ripening of the first fruits to the late ripening of the fruits. The study analyzed the correlations between the vegetative and productive parameters of the raspberry variety “Delniwa” and the blackberry variety “Thornfree” on productivity per plant. During the study period, good shoot formation was observed, with an average height of 1400 mm for raspberries and 3474 mm for blackberries (r = 0.99 to raspberries and r = 0.98 to blackberries); a good development of the average stem diameter of 8.54 mm for raspberries and 12.78 mm for blackberries (r = 0.96 la zmeur si r = 0.89 la mur), of the number of ripe fruits harvested (r = 0.68 to raspberries and r = 0.58 to blackberries), all of which are correlated with increased productivity of 820 g/plant for raspberries and 2050 g/plant for blackberries. The experimental data were statistically analyzed using linearized, polynomial and hyperbolic models to identify the relationships between the studied variables and to highlight growth variations and fruit production in raspberries and blackberries throughout the season. In the first year of vegetation, both crops recorded constant growth but with different rhythms: raspberries showed constant fruit production, with a peak in June–July and a slight resumption in September, while blackberries had high production at the beginning of summer, followed by a significant decrease in August. The results obtained support farmers who grow raspberries and blackberries under similar natural pedo-climatic conditions, contributing to crop planning and production optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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17 pages, 11493 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Compost and Vermicompost as Substrates Enriched with Trichoderma asperellum for the Production of Basic Potato Seed in the Venezuelan Andes

by Haydee Peña, Fernando Diánez, Beatriz Ramírez, José Sulbarán, Karen Arias, Victoria Huertas and Mila Santos

Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020124 - 23 Jan 2025

Viewed by 968

Abstract

The agricultural sector faces significant pressure to meet the growing global demand for food while managing the planet’s limited natural resources. Addressing this challenge requires the strategic use of abundant materials and accessible biotechnologies that farmers can effectively implement. This study evaluated the effects of various substrate mixtures, including combinations of coconut fiber with compost or vermicompost (50:50 v/v). It also assessed the impact of heat treatment and inoculation with the antagonist Trichoderma asperellum on the production of basic potato seeds grown in 70 L plastic baskets. Statistical analysis revealed that the vermicompost-based mixture outperformed others, demonstrating superior biometric variables for potato plants. The treatment with sterilized vermicompost led to a 41% increase in seed weight, underscoring the beneficial effects of vermicompost. Correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship between the phosphorus content of the mixture and a negative relationship with the E4/E6 ratio—a parameter recognized as a reliable and easily measurable indicator of substrate quality, along with pH and electrical conductivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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17 pages, 7684 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of Light Intensity and Irrigation Method on Growth, Quality, and Anthocyanin Content of Red Oak Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. cripspa L.) Cultivated in a Plant Factory with Artificial Lighting

by Thanit Ruangsangaram, Pariyanuj Chulaka, Kriengkrai Mosaleeyanon, Panita Chutimanukul, Michiko Takagaki and Na Lu

Horticulturae 2025, 11(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11010075 - 12 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1207

Abstract

Cultivating red oak lettuce in plant factories often encounters challenges in achieving the desired red leaf coloration. To make the leaves a pleasant red color, anthocyanins are key substances that need to be induced. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing light intensity and irrigation methods on the growth and leaf color of red oak lettuce in a controlled environment. Two light intensities (300 and 400 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) with white LEDs and two irrigation methods (circulating vs. non-circulating irrigation) were applied seven days before harvesting. The results indicated that plants grown with circulating irrigation exhibited significantly higher fresh and dry weights than those grown under non-circulating conditions, regardless of light intensity. When non-circulating irrigation was applied, shoot fresh weight decreased by approximately 22% on the harvesting day compared to the circulating treatments. Under the 400 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ light intensity with non-circulating irrigation (400N-C), plants displayed the lowest lightness (L*) at 40.7, increased redness (a*) to −7.4, and reduced yellowness (b*) to 11.0. These changes in coloration were optimized by day 5 after treatment. Additionally, spectral indices, including normalized difference vegetation index and photochemical reflectance index, varied significantly among treatments. The 400N-C treatment also resulted in the highest anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity in red oak lettuce. These findings suggest that combining high light intensity with non-circulating irrigation before harvest can improve both the coloration and quality of red oak lettuce in plant factories with artificial lighting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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15 pages, 10179 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Irrigation Methods on Growth and Water Productivity in Bell Pepper Cultivation in Northern South Korea

by Hwichan Yang, Yunhyeong Bae, Youngho Kim, Soonjae Hyeon, Minseong Choi, Seongho Yang, Daehyun Kim and Dongcheol Jang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121353 - 16 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1238

Abstract

Although the bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is sensitive to water stress, little information is available on proper irrigation management methods for bell pepper cultivation in the northern South Korean climate. We compared the effects of different irrigation methods on crop growth and water productivity in two bell pepper varieties (Maldonado and Nagano) at different irrigation durations (ending 3 h before sunset and ending 4 h before sunset) and irrigation quantities (placing two, three, and four drippers capable of irrigating at 2 L·h⁻¹) over approximately 280 days by performing in-depth analysis of various growth indicators. The plant height of Maldonado increased as the irrigation amount increased in all irrigation treatments of T1 and T2. In Nagano, there was no significant difference in plant height between D3 and D4. Overall, the irrigation treatments produced a higher difference in yield in Maldonado plants than in Nagano plants. WP tended to increase inversely to reduction in irrigation quantity in Groups 1 (May–June) and 4 (November–December) of both varieties, and response to irrigation stop time varied among the varieties. We inferred that the optimal irrigation method for bell pepper cultivation in northern South Korea is to supply irrigation at the D3 level and adjust the irrigation end time according to the variety and crop strength. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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20 pages, 1528 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis L.) Cultivation: Effects of Different Manures on Plant Growth and Essential Oil Production During Consecutive Harvests

by Sina Fallah, Filippo Maggi, Askar Ghanbari-Odivi and Maryam Rostaei

Horticulturae 2024, 10(10), 1105; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10101105 - 18 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1362

Abstract

This study examined the impact of organic manures from different sources (poultry, sheep, and cattle) on lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae) during different harvests. Manure application increased the photosynthetic pigments levels (chlorophyll-a, 9–41%; chlorophyll-b, 24–60%), biomass (41–60%), and essential oil yield (60–71%). Sheep manure treatment exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity among all the manures tested. Through GC-MS and GC-FID analysis, 10 chemical constituents were identified in the essential oil, accounting together for 91–95% of the total composition. The primary chemical component was geranial (39–46%), followed by neral (28–35%), (E)-caryophyllene (4.7–11%), geranyl acetate (2.7–5.9%), and caryophyllene oxide (1.7–4.8%). The utilization of livestock manures significantly improved the quality of the essential oil in terms of neral and geranial percentages compared to the control. Notably, during mid-August and early October, there was a substantial rise in these valuable compounds. However, a decrease in geranyl acetate and oxygenated monoterpenes resulted in a decline of the antioxidant capacity to 3%. Consequently, it is recommended to utilize essential oils from the second and third harvests for industrial purposes. Overall, the use of livestock manures, especially sheep manure, as a nutrient source for lemon balm cultivation, proves to be a viable approach for producing high-quality essential oils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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16 pages, 5287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nano ZnO and Bioinoculants Mitigate Effects of Deficit Irrigation on Nutritional Quality of Green Peppers

by Bruna Lorrane Rosendo Martins, Kaikí Nogueira Ferreira, Josinaldo Lopes Araujo Rocha, Railene Hérica Carlos Rocha Araujo, Guilherme Lopes, Leônidas Canuto dos Santos, Francisco Bezerra Neto, Francisco Vaniés da Silva Sá, Toshik Iarley da Silva, Whashington Idalino da Silva, Geovani Soares de Lima, Francisco Jean da Silva Paiva and José Zilton Lopes Santos

Horticulturae 2024, 10(9), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10090969 - 12 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1084

Abstract

Green peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are a fruit vegetable with great culinary versatility and present important nutritional properties for human health. Water deficit negatively affects the nutritional quality of green peppers’ fruits. This study aimed to investigate the influence of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), associated with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), on the post-harvest nutritional quality of green peppers subjected to water deficit. In an open-field experiment, two irrigation levels (50 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (Etc)), four treatments composed of a combination of ZnONPs, zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄), and PGPB (T1 = ZnSO₄ via leaves, T2 = ZnONPs via leaves, T3 = ZnONPs via leaves + PGPB via soil, T4 = ZnSO₄ via soil + PGPB via soil), and a control treatment (Control) were tested. Water deficit or water deficit mitigation treatments did not interfere with the physical–chemical parameters (except vitamin C content) and physical color parameters (except the lightness) of green peppers. On average, the water deficit reduced the levels of Ca (−13.2%), Mg (−8.5%), P (−8.5%), K (−8.6%), Mn (−10.5%), Fe (−12.2%), B (−12.0%), and Zn (−11.5%) in the fruits. Under the water deficit condition, ZnONPs or ZnSO₄ via foliar, associated or not with PGPB, increased the levels of Ca (+57% in the T2 and +69.0% in the T2), P, Mg, and Fe in the fruits. At 50% Etc, the foliar application of ZnONPs in association with PGPB increases vitamin C and mineral nutrients’ contents and nutritional quality index (+12.0%) of green peppers. Applying Zn via foliar as ZnONPs or ZnSO₄ mitigated the negative effects of water deficit on the quality of pepper fruits that were enhanced by the Bacillus subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens inoculation. The ZnONPs source was more efficient than the ZnSO₄ source. The water deficit alleviating effect of both zinc sources was enhanced by the PGPB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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16 pages, 3352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutrient Dynamics and Resource-Use Efficiency in Greenhouse Strawberries: Effects of Control Variables in Closed-Loop Hydroponics

by Mi Young Lim, So Hui Kim, Mi Young Roh, Gyeong Lee Choi and Dongpil Kim

Horticulturae 2024, 10(8), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080851 - 12 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1789

Abstract

The importance of implementing recirculating drainage for greenhouse strawberries is often overlooked because of the low electrical conductivity (EC) of drainage and transpiration despite the large area of cultivation in Korea. In this study, we analyzed the growth of strawberry crops and their water and individual nutrient use efficiency when using closed-loop hydroponics in greenhouses. The study consisted of two parts: Experiment (Exp) 1 and Exp 2, each of which employed a different closed-loop hydroponic control method. In Exp 1, the system was controlled solely based on the EC of the drainage mixed with raw water. In Exp 2, the nutrient solution (NS) was corrected according to the ion concentrations in the drainage, with correction intervals of 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and no correction, while the control treatment was open-loop. In Exp 1, a prolonged increase in drainage EC resulted in an imbalance in NS ion composition and reduced fruit yield. In Exp 2, the NS composition was stabilized through periodic nutrient correction, and the fruit yield of the closed-loop treatments did not differ from the open-loop treatment. However, the closed-loop with 2- and 4-week correction in Exp 2 showed 94% and 88% higher nutrient use efficiency (NUE), respectively, than an open-loop system. Among the closed-loop treatments, the 2- and 4-week correction intervals had 36% and 32% higher NUE than the no-correction treatment. Furthermore, the 2-week correction interval showed a 3% improvement in NUE compared to the 4-week interval. These findings highlight the importance of considering a shorter ion correction interval for optimal NUE and normal plant growth in recirculating hydroponic systems of strawberry cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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23 pages, 10370 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adsorption and Incorporation of AgNPs Mediated by Seed Priming in Cultivated Taify Pomegranate: Integrated Approaches

by Amal Ahmed Alyamani, Maissa M. Morsi and Hala M. Abdelmigid

Horticulturae 2024, 10(6), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10060647 - 17 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1667

Abstract

A novel approach known as seed priming has been developed to improve seed germination and, ultimately, increase growth and yield. For high-value crops like pomegranates (Punica granatum) in high-altitude regions like the Taif area, affordable, sustainable, and efficient seed treatments are yet to be discovered. In this study, we employed a green synthesis method using pomegranate peel and coffee ground extracts to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at a concentration of 80 mg/mL. These AgNPs were then utilized to prime pomegranate seeds for 24 h. Furthermore, a chemical reduction method using trisodium citrate was used for comparison. The adsorption of NPs was verified using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), while their incorporation was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We further validated our EM results with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). According to the findings of this study, AgNPs were observed to be present within seeds even after undergoing storage during priming. There is a possibility that the results obtained could potentially contribute to maintaining the quality of crops in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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11 pages, 570 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

A Comparative Study of the Influence of Soil and Non-Soil Factors on Seed Germination of Edible Salt-Tolerant Species

by Viana Castañeda-Loaiza, Maria João Rodrigues, Eliana Fernandes and Luísa Custódio

Horticulturae 2024, 10(8), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080872 - 18 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1312

Abstract

Cultivating edible salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) for human consumption is increasingly important due to climate change and soil salinization, and offers sustainable agricultural solutions. Optimizing seed germination, the crucial initial stage of crop growth, is essential for enhancing crop production. This study aimed to optimize the germination of edible halophytes under greenhouse conditions, focusing on select soil (salinity and substrate) and non-soil-related factors (chemical and mechanical treatments). The target species were selected for their commercial value and included Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (crystalline iceplant), Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods (sea asparagus), Medicago marina L. (sea medick), Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link (European beachgrass), Portulaca oleracea L. (common purslane), and Atriplex halimus L. (Mediterranean saltbush). Salinity negatively impacted germination rates (GRs) and delayed mean germination time (MGT) across species. P. oleracea had the highest GR (95.6%) in coco peat under freshwater irrigation, and the shortest MGT (5.2 days). A. halimus did not germinate under the tested conditions. Scarification with sulfuric acid improved the GR of M. marina by 42.2%, while scarification with ultrasounds improved the GR of A. arenaria by 35.5%. Our results indicate that the choice of substrate and the application of specific treatments like scarification can significantly improve the germination of certain halophyte species under variable saline conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Cultivation of Horticultural Crops)

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