Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.5
3.1
Journals
Horticulturae
Special Issues
Irrigation and Fertilization Management in Horticultural Production
share announcement

Irrigation and Fertilization Management in Horticultural Production

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 5150

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jinglei Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Farmland Irrigation Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinxiang 453003, China
Interests: intelligent irrigation; agricultural big data; remote sensing technology; GIS; crop high-efficiency water use; cloud computing; water resources and environment; crop-water model; soil hydraulics; spatial-temporal variation and scale conversion technology of crop water requirement
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Hao Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Crop Water Use and Regulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Irrigation Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Xinxiang 453003, China
Interests: water-saving irrigation; evapotranspiration; efficient use of water and fertilizer; crop-water relations; soil water and salt stress; exogenous substances regulating crop water use
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Horticultural crop production plays an important role in the global food supply chain, offering a wide array of vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants that enrich our diet and landscapes. It significantly influences economic growth, the sustainability of agriculture, and the preservation of biodiversity. However, improper irrigation and fertilization practices can result in resource wastage, soil erosion, environmental contamination, and a decline in crop quality, thereby jeopardizing the high yield and superior quality of horticultural crops. Given these challenges, adopting a scientific and rational approach to irrigation and fertilization management is crucial. It can enhance the productivity of horticultural crops, maintain their quality, and safeguard our environmental resources.

These topics will be covered in this Special Issue, "Irrigation and Fertilization Management of Horticultural Crops", which will particularly focus on several key areas: (1) Developing water-saving cultivation techniques tailored to the water requirements of horticultural Crops; (2) examining the interaction between irrigation and fertilization, and refining the integration of both to enhance fertilizer efficiency and crop productivity; (3) exploring and evaluating advanced equipment designed to boost the water productivity of horticultural crops through precise control of irrigation amount and timing; (4) formulating specialized fertilizers and soil amendments that meet the unique requirements of various horticultural crops, as well as biological agents that can enhance the soil's capacity to retain water and nutrients; and (5) assessing the environmental and economic implications of diverse irrigation management strategies to inform the creation of sustainable horticultural production practices.

Prof. Dr. Jinglei Wang
Dr. Hao Liu
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

  • water-saving cultivation
  • crop water requirement
  • water–fertilizer use efficiency
  • irrigation technology
  • growth regulator
  • soil ecology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

18 pages, 2305 KiB  
Article
Effects of Utilizing Plasma-Activated Water as a Nitrate Source on Growth and Flowering of Vanda Orchids
by Chaiartid Inkham, Sirajo Salisu Jibia, Suchanuch Jaipinta, Soraya Ruamrungsri and Kanokwan Panjama
Horticulturae 2025, 11(5), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11050491 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 249
Abstract
The application of cold plasma technology in agriculture includes its use as a nitrate fertilizer, offering an alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers. This study investigated the effects of using plasma-activated water (PAW) as a nitrate source on the growth and flowering of Vanda [...] Read more.
The application of cold plasma technology in agriculture includes its use as a nitrate fertilizer, offering an alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers. This study investigated the effects of using plasma-activated water (PAW) as a nitrate source on the growth and flowering of Vanda orchids through two integrated experiments. Plants were treated with different nitrate concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/L) and fertilizing frequencies (weekly vs. biweekly), in combination with varying plant ages (1-, 2-, and 3-year-old plants). The analysis focused on several variables, including plant height, the number of leaves, fresh and dry biomass, and flowering traits, such as time to bloom, inflorescence length, floret number, floret diameter, and vase life. The leaf nitrate, total nitrogen, and gas exchange parameters were also recorded. The results demonstrate that the plants receiving 100 mg/L PAW-NO3− exhibited significantly greater plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight than the control (0 mg/L), with a trend toward a higher leaf number. Flowering occurred earlier in the 100 mg/L treatment group, with the first, second, and third inflorescences emerging at 208, 284, and 304 days after treatment, respectively. Additionally, this concentration produced the highest floret number per inflorescence and the longest vase life (12.63 days). Weekly fertilization resulted in more pronounced vegetative growth than biweekly application, particularly in 3-year-old plants—the only group to flower. Fertilizing frequency, however, had no effect on flower quality regarding the inflorescence length, floret number, or floret size. These findings suggest that 100 mg/L nitrate from plasma-activated water, applied weekly, optimally enhances growth and flowering performance in Vanda orchids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilization Management in Horticultural Production)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 3051 KiB  
Article
Response of Tomato Quality Parameters to Water Deficit Under Soil Salinity and Simulation Based on Stem Water Potential
by Xianbo Zhang, Huanhuan Li, Hao Liu, Jinglei Wang and Xiaoman Qiang
Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020114 - 22 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 806
Abstract
Soil salinity and water deficit are important challenges for sustainable agricultural development in arid and semi-arid regions. While soil salinity and water deficits may result in lower crop yields, they may improve crop quality. The quantitative relationship between water–salt stress, crop yield, and [...] Read more.
Soil salinity and water deficit are important challenges for sustainable agricultural development in arid and semi-arid regions. While soil salinity and water deficits may result in lower crop yields, they may improve crop quality. The quantitative relationship between water–salt stress, crop yield, and quality is key to achieving stable yield and enhanced quality through the coordinated regulation of soil water and salt. The interaction between soil salinity and deficit irrigation on tomato quality needs to be further understood, and the model simulating the response of tomato quality to deficit irrigation under simulated soil salinity needs to be further optimized. In this study, a two-year experiment was conducted in northwest China consisting of combinations of three soil salinity levels (0 g, 3 g, and 5 g mixed salt added to 1000 g air-dried soil, respectively) and four water regimes relative to the field capacity (θf) (W0, W1, W2, and W3 refer to 95% θf, 80% θf, 70% θf, and 60% θf as the upper limit of soil water content, respectively). The responses of plant stem water potential (φ), fruit osmotic potential (φπ), fruit Na+ content, fruit fresh weight, fruit water content, total soluble solids (TSS), lycopene (Ly), soluble sugars content (SSC), and color index (CI) to the degree of water deficit and the stage of water deficit were analyzed under soil salinity. The results show that both soil salinity and water deficit significantly reduced φ, but there is no significant interaction. TSS, SSC, and CI are all significantly affected by soil salinity, degree of water deficit, and stage of water deficit, and there is a significant interaction between the degree of water deficit and soil salinity. Fruit fresh weight, TSS, Ly, SSC, and CI are all strongly correlated with φ, and the straight lines of regression of each index with φ are significantly affected by soil salinity content. Soil salinity significantly increased the Na+ content in the fruit, and water deficit significantly enhanced the effect of soil salinity on the Na+ content of tomato fruit. A functional model to simulate fruit quality was developed based on the response of fruit quality parameters to φ and the effect of fruit Na+ accumulation under the compound effect of soil salinity and water deficit. The validation results of the model show that this function model effectively simulates tomato fruit quality under the combined effects of soil salinity and water deficit, providing a theoretical basis for soil water–salt management in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilization Management in Horticultural Production)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1837 KiB  
Article
Effects of Long-Term Nitrogen Fertilization and Application Methods on Fruit Yield, Plant Nutrition, and Soil Chemical Properties in Highbush Blueberries
by Charitha P. A. Jayasinghege, Carine Bineng and Aimé J. Messiga
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1205; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111205 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1163
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is routinely applied in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) production. The recommended N fertilizer rate increases as the plants mature, and is usually determined based on regional growing conditions. However, the effects of N fertilizer rates and application methods [...] Read more.
Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is routinely applied in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) production. The recommended N fertilizer rate increases as the plants mature, and is usually determined based on regional growing conditions. However, the effects of N fertilizer rates and application methods over the long term remain poorly understood. In this study, ammonium sulfate was applied as an N source at the recommended rate (100%), which corresponds to a maximum of 155 kg N ha−1 for plants older than eight years, along with higher rates at 150% and 200% of the recommended level, as well as a control treatment of no N. Treatments were applied to the blueberry cultivar ‘Duke’ as either broadcast (BROAD) or fertigation (FERT), and impacts were analyzed after 12 and 13 years of treatment. In the 14th year, the 100% N rate was uniformly applied as BROAD across all plants to separate the effects of different N rates from those caused by long-term soil condition changes. The BROAD treatment at the 100% N rate achieved the highest yield, and the FERT treatment at 200% resulted in the lowest yield in the 12th year, suggesting that excessive N rates can reduce fruit yield. However, no significant yield differences were observed in the 13th year. Higher N rates were associated with reduced titratable acidity in fruits and fewer flower buds. The soil pH declined across all N treatments, with the FERT at 200% showing the most significant reduction. All N treatments generally increased soil electrical conductivity (EC). High N rates also decreased plant accumulation of magnesium, calcium, and copper, with the latter reaching deficiency levels. These findings emphasize the importance of adhering to recommended N application rates and adjusting soil pH and EC to mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged N treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilization Management in Horticultural Production)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 3961 KiB  
Article
Assessing Nitrogen Fertilization in Processing Pepper: Critical Nitrogen Curve, Yield Response, and Crop Development
by Jose Maria Vadillo, Carlos Campillo, Valme González and Henar Prieto
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111141 - 25 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1203
Abstract
Groundwater pollution in intensive horticultural areas is becoming an increasingly important problem. Over-fertilization of these crops, combined with poor irrigation management, leads to groundwater contamination through leaching. Previous research on the effect of N on sweet peppers grown in greenhouses is abundant, but [...] Read more.
Groundwater pollution in intensive horticultural areas is becoming an increasingly important problem. Over-fertilization of these crops, combined with poor irrigation management, leads to groundwater contamination through leaching. Previous research on the effect of N on sweet peppers grown in greenhouses is abundant, but data on outdoor cultivation, especially considering variety and site influences, are lacking. Therefore, this study evaluates nitrogen (N) fertilization in open-field processing-pepper crop in Extremadura, Spain to mitigate this environmental impact. Field trials were conducted in 2020, 2021, and 2022 to determine the optimum N fertilizer rate for processing peppers, with the aim of reducing environmental impacts such as nitrate leaching while maintaining crop yields. The trial consisted of applying different N doses, 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N/ha in 2020 and 2021 and 0, 100, and 300 kg N/ha in 2022. There were four replications of each treatment, arranged in randomized blocks. Measurements included crop yield, biomass, intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and canopy cover. The study also developed a critical nitrogen curve (CNC) to determine the minimum N concentration required for optimal growth. The commercial yield results showed that there were no significant differences between the two treatments with higher N inputs in the three years; therefore, the application of more than 120 kg N/ha did not significantly increase yield. Nitrogen-free treatments resulted in earlier fruit maturity, concentrating the harvest and reducing waste. In addition, excessive N application led to environmental problems such as groundwater contamination due to nitrate leaching. The study concludes that outdoor pepper crops in this region can achieve optimal yields with lower N rates (around 120 kg N/ha) compared to current practices, taking into account that initial soil N values were higher than 100 kg N/ha, thereby reducing environmental risks and fertilizer costs. It also established relationships between biomass, canopy cover, and N uptake to improve fertilization strategies. These data support future crop modeling and sustainable fertilization practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilization Management in Horticultural Production)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

40 pages, 4519 KiB  
Review
Advances in Monitoring Crop and Soil Nutrient Status: Proximal and Remote Sensing Techniques
by Pedro Tomas Bulacio Fischer, Alessandro Carella, Roberto Massenti, Raudhatul Fadhilah and Riccardo Lo Bianco
Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020182 - 8 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1056
Abstract
Soil and water pollution caused by excessive use of fertilizers and resource scarcity are critical issues in modern horticulture. Although laboratory tests are reliable, they take time and use chemical reagents that must be disposed of and complex protocols. Monitoring plant nutrient status [...] Read more.
Soil and water pollution caused by excessive use of fertilizers and resource scarcity are critical issues in modern horticulture. Although laboratory tests are reliable, they take time and use chemical reagents that must be disposed of and complex protocols. Monitoring plant nutrient status through technologies that allow continuous and rapid assessment is crucial for precise resource management. Several proximal and remote sensors that use different physico-chemical principles to monitor plant nutrient status are available nowadays. However, these technologies still have important operative and structural limitations that must be overcome. The aim of this review is to summarize the current status and latest developments in proximal and remote sensors capable of monitoring plant and soil nutrients, focusing on sensor types, principles, applications, and their strengths and weaknesses. Electrochemical proximal sensors allow continuous monitoring of nutrients in the plant sap or in the soil solution but work on a single spot basis. Instruments based on optical sensors allow immediate measurements and quick analysis, but do not work on a continuous basis. On the other hand, remote sensors, such as drone-mounted cameras and satellite systems, are based on large-area imaging and can be used to estimate crop nutrient status by processing images at different wavelengths. Finally, combining proximal and remote techniques may be needed to achieve very accurate monitoring of plant and nutrient status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Fertilization Management in Horticultural Production)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop