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Horticulturae
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Horticulture from an Ecological Perspective
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Horticulture from an Ecological Perspective

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2026) | Viewed by 6597

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jože Bavcon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
University Botanic Gardens Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: plant conservation; plant biodiversity; horticulture; native plants
Dr. Blanka Ravnjak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
University Botanic Gardens Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: plant conservation; seed banks; horticulture; native plants
Dr. Andraž Čarni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, Novi Trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2. School for Viticulture and Enology, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Interests: vegetation; ecology; floristics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Horticulture is one of the important disciplines that allows for humans to survive and connect with nature in big cities. COVID-19 has particularly shown how people absolutely need plants for their survival; they need that captured corner of nature as close to them as possible. The Kunming Declaration also speaks about the importance of nature and human coexistence with it. However, today, we are not aware of how important plants are for human psychological survival in the face of increasing daily stress. For this reason, urban green areas with a large diversity of plant species are particularly important. Plants can survive in very extreme conditions, and their survival is now increasingly affected by climate change. In light of climate change, natural species are increasingly used in horticulture today. New findings on the use of natural species and their cultivation will effectively help in planning horticultural plantings in various environments around the world, especially in sunny, drought-exposed environments in cities. The correct selection of plants will satisfy ecological requirements, aesthetic aspects, and will be sustainable at the same time.

Dr. Jože Bavcon
Dr. Blanka Ravnjak
Dr. Andraž Čarni
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • urban green areas
  • native plants
  • green infrastructure
  • ecology of plants
  • dry-resistant plants
  • plant adaptation
  • sustainable horticulture
  • climate change
  • nature in cites
  • people and plants

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 2447 KB  
Article
Cultivation Suitability Assessment of Ainsliaea acerifolia Based on a Composite Suitability Index (CSI) and Maximum Limiting Factor Method (MLFM)
by Dong Hu Kim, Yu Lim Choi, Ji Hyeon Lee, Bong-Gyu Kim, Myung Suk Choi, Gap Chul Choo and Min Sook Lee
Horticulturae 2026, 12(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020168 - 30 Jan 2026
Viewed by 373
Abstract
This study aimed to develop a quantitative Cultivation Suitability Index (CSI) and identify growth-limiting environmental factors for the stable cultivation of Ainsliaea acerifolia, an understory perennial native to the southern and south-central mountainous regions of Korea. Climatic conditions, site topography, microenvironment, soil [...] Read more.
This study aimed to develop a quantitative Cultivation Suitability Index (CSI) and identify growth-limiting environmental factors for the stable cultivation of Ainsliaea acerifolia, an understory perennial native to the southern and south-central mountainous regions of Korea. Climatic conditions, site topography, microenvironment, soil physicochemical properties, vegetation structure, and plant growth indices were investigated at six representative natural habitats. The soils were generally acidic and nutrient-limited, with low available phosphorus and low exchangeable Ca and Mg. Community diversity indices indicated stable understory assemblages across sites. Thirteen environmental indicators were normalized and weighted to construct the CSI, and suitability classes were defined as highly suitable (≥0.75), suitable (0.5–0.75), potential (0.25–0.5), and unsuitable (<0.25). The Maximum Limiting Factor Method (MLFM) was applied to identify site constraints, yielding a Limiting Factor Index (LFI) of 0.29–0.42, with light, humidity, temperature, EC, Ca and Mg emerging as dominant limiting factors. CSI and LFI exhibited a negative linear relationship (R2 = 0.6353), demonstrating that alleviation of limiting conditions directly improves site suitability. Optimal cultivation environments were characterized by moderately acidic soils, adequate Ca and Mg availability, moderate shade, and improved moisture balance. From a management perspective, maintaining soil pH around 4.5–5.0, supplementing Ca and Mg, enhancing drainage, and applying organic mulching or clay amendments to coarse textured soils are recommended. The CSI–MLFM framework provides a practical and transferable tool for selecting suitable cultivation sites and establishing sustainable understory and ecological mountain cultivation systems for A. acerifolia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticulture from an Ecological Perspective)
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19 pages, 21485 KB  
Article
Horticultural Potential of the Flora from Karstic Dolines in the Northern Dinarides
by Andraž Čarni, Mateja Breg Valjavec, Aljaž Jakob, Blanka Ravnjak and Jože Bavcon
Horticulturae 2025, 11(11), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11111355 - 11 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1047
Abstract
Karstic dolines are unique geomorphological and ecological features of limestone landscapes, characterised by strong microclimatic and edaphic gradients. These concave landforms form natural microrefugia that harbour a variety of plant species. In this study, dolines in the northern Dinarides on the Kras Plateau [...] Read more.
Karstic dolines are unique geomorphological and ecological features of limestone landscapes, characterised by strong microclimatic and edaphic gradients. These concave landforms form natural microrefugia that harbour a variety of plant species. In this study, dolines in the northern Dinarides on the Kras Plateau were investigated to assess the horticultural potential of their flora. Vegetation surveys along edge-to-bottom transects revealed a pronounced species turnover and differentiation of functional traits. Shade-tolerant geophytes and early-flowering perennials dominate the bottoms of the dolines, while the edges harbour drought-tolerant aromatic herbs. Not only do dolines serve biodiversity conservation by acting as microrefugia, but they also preserve cultural heritage through ethnobotanical species and provide a species pool for the selection of plants with horticultural potential. We selected horticultural important plants (HPs) and analysed them within the dolines. Depending on their morphology and seasonal occurrence, they can be divided into woody species, early and late spring flowering species, orchids, and structural species. By linking biodiversity conservation with applied horticulture, this study emphasises the multifunctional role of dolines as small natural features of disproportionate ecological and horticultural importance. We suggest that integrating doline species into horticultural utilisation could improve sustainability, diversify plantings, and strengthen climate adaptation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticulture from an Ecological Perspective)
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38 pages, 7697 KB  
Article
Local Climate and Cultivation Practice Shape Total Protein and Phenolic Content of Mulberry (Morus sp.) Leaves in Sub-Mediterranean and Sub-Pannonian Regions of Slovenia
by Špela Jelen, Martin Kozmos, Jan Senekovič, Danijel Ivajnšič, Silvia Cappellozza and Andreja Urbanek Krajnc
Horticulturae 2025, 11(9), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11091096 - 10 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2090
Abstract
Mulberry (Morus sp.) trees, traditionally cultivated for their leaves used in sericulture, have recently gained recognition for their adaptability and valuable ecosystem services. The biochemical composition of mulberry leaves varies both qualitatively and quantitatively, depending on genotype, environmental conditions, and cultivation practices. [...] Read more.
Mulberry (Morus sp.) trees, traditionally cultivated for their leaves used in sericulture, have recently gained recognition for their adaptability and valuable ecosystem services. The biochemical composition of mulberry leaves varies both qualitatively and quantitatively, depending on genotype, environmental conditions, and cultivation practices. This study aimed to (1) identify differences in old local white (M. alba L.) and black mulberry (M. nigra L.) leaves, (2) perform a chemotype analysis of monitored local varieties, and (3) evaluate the influence of selected bioclimatic factors and pruning practices on the biochemical composition of leaves of white mulberry trees across Slovenian mesoregions. Black mulberry exhibited a higher phenolic content, particularly caffeoylquinic acid derivatives (16.05 mg/g dry weight (DW)), while white mulberry contained more quercetin glycosides (6.04 mg/g DW). Ward’s clustering identified three chemotypes, two of which had elevated protein and hydroxycinnamic acid levels, making them particularly suitable for silkworm feeding. Considering pruning practices of white mulberries, we determined significantly increased protein contents in yearly pruned trees (187.24 mg/g DW). Principal component analysis revealed interactions between bioclimatic, morphological, and biochemical factors, distinctly separating mulberries from the Sub-Mediterranean and Sub-Pannonian macroregions. White mulberries from Sub-Pannonian regions accumulated more caffeoylquinic acids in leaves under lower precipitation and total insolation, while those from Sub-Mediterranean regions exhibited higher kaempferol derivatives due to photo-thermal stress. These findings highlight the influence of climate and pruning on mulberry biochemical diversity and adaptation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticulture from an Ecological Perspective)
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15 pages, 1808 KB  
Article
In Vitro Propagation of the Endangered Kosteletzkya pentacarpos (L.) Ledeb: Conservation Applications and Horticultural Prospects
by Konstantinos Bertsouklis, Eireni Dima, Konstantina-Stamatina Arfani, Apostolos-Emmanouil Bazanis, Nikolaos Ntoulas, Stefanos Kostas, Stefanos Hatzilazarou and Mariacristina Villani
Horticulturae 2025, 11(9), 1086; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11091086 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1628
Abstract
Employing rare or threatened species in ornamental horticulture offers a dual benefit by promoting climate adaptation and enhancing species conservation. Kosteletzkya pentacarpos, an endangered halophytic species, holds potential for introduction into the nursery industry, but efficient propagation methods are lacking. The present [...] Read more.
Employing rare or threatened species in ornamental horticulture offers a dual benefit by promoting climate adaptation and enhancing species conservation. Kosteletzkya pentacarpos, an endangered halophytic species, holds potential for introduction into the nursery industry, but efficient propagation methods are lacking. The present study investigated the in vitro propagation of the species using nodal explants excised from aseptic seedlings. A two-stage in vitro culture system was tested with thidiazuron (TDZ) promoting shoot initiation at low concentrations, while higher levels induced callus formation. Transferring micro-shoots to hormone free-, Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) promoted the highest shoot multiplication and elongation. The effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) on in vitro culture was also assessed, with MS media containing up to 5.0 g L−1 NaCl supporting successful culture establishment. Spontaneous rooting was observed during various stages of the culture process. Micro-shoots were rooted at 100.0% on half strength MS medium with or without indole-3-butyric acid, and all plantlets were successfully acclimatized in a peat–perlite substrate (1/1, v/v). Thus, the present protocol provides an efficient system for the large-scale propagation of K. pentacarpos serving as a valuable tool for its conservation and the potential use in the nursery industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticulture from an Ecological Perspective)
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