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Horticulturae
Special Issues
Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming of Horticultural Crops
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Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming of Horticultural Crops

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape, and Turf".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 7371

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aikaterini Nikolaos Martini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Crop Science, School of Plants Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece
Interests: floriculture; propagation techniques; micropropagation; rooting cuttings; seed germination; exploitation of native plants; medicinal aromatic plants; xerophytic plants; green roofs; greenhouse cultivation; urban horticulture; heavy metals accumulation; interspecific hybridization
Dr. Lamprini Tassoula

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Crop Science, School of Plants Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece
Interests: green roofs; substrates; Mediterranean xerophytic plants; medicinal aromatic plants; urban horticulture; drought resistance; chlorophyll fluorescence; leaf stomatal resistance; water use efficiency

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban horticulture plays a vital role in offering sufficient and consistent food supply to expanding cities, addressing the challenges of limited land availability and increasing demand for food, and also having positive effects on social, economic, food, and ecological sustainability within cities. Currently, sustainable food supply is under intense pressure due to exponential population growth, expanding urban dwellings, climate change, and limited natural resources. Under these circumstances, urban horticulture and crop cultivation have emerged as potential ways to expand to new locations through urban green infrastructure. Current urban cropping systems, such as home gardening, community gardens, edible landscapes, and indoor planting systems, can be enhanced with new techniques, such as vertical gardening, hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, and rooftop gardening, which are ecofriendly, energy-saving, and promise food security through steady supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables to urban neighborhoods.

In this Special Issue of Horticulturae, we welcome research articles that address the application of urban agriculture and vertical farming to the sustainable production of horticultural crops in the following subject areas: climate-resilient and sustainable urban agriculture; circular vertical farming; horticultural crops, i.e., vegetables, fruits, flowers, and ornamental crops; home gardens; community gardens; urban edible horticultural gardens; indoor growing systems; living edible walls; rooftop gardens or green roofs; greenhouses; plant growth media; the use of soilless cultures; organic horticulture; etc.

Dr. Aikaterini Nikolaos Martini
Dr. Lamprini Tassoula
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 horticulture
  • vertical farming
  • vegetable
  • fruit
  • flower and ornamental crops
  • cropping systems
  • ecological sustainability
  • hygienic sustainable food supply
  • controlled environment agriculture
  • indoor crop production
  • resource-use efficiency

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4993 KB  
Article
Smart Modular Vertical Farms: Addressing Food Security and Resource Efficiency in Singapore’s Urban Environment
by Chew Beng Soh, Barbara Ting Wei Ang, Yin Mei Fong, Szu-Cheng Chien, Hui An, Valentina Dessì, Matteo Clementi, Chuan Beng Tay, Michele D’Ostuni, Giorgio Gianquinto and Francesco Orsini
Horticulturae 2026, 12(3), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12030271 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1585
Abstract
This study presents a modular outdoor vertical farming system integrated into building façades to address urban food security and sustainability challenges in Singapore. The design integrates passive climate control, hydroponics and soil-based irrigation, with active monitoring of the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and [...] Read more.
This study presents a modular outdoor vertical farming system integrated into building façades to address urban food security and sustainability challenges in Singapore. The design integrates passive climate control, hydroponics and soil-based irrigation, with active monitoring of the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Continuous visual imaging is used to support growth monitoring and predictive harvesting, reducing labor needs. Under experimental conditions, deployment of UCNP-coated light-conversion films improved crop yield by 30% and reduced plant heat stress. Photovoltaic arrays and battery storage enabled energy self-sufficiency and microclimate management in the modular farm. The results demonstrated that building-integrated vertical farms can enhance urban food resilience and resource efficiency, offering a scalable model for sustainable agriculture in land-constrained cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming of Horticultural Crops)
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13 pages, 1355 KB  
Article
Effects of Growth Regulators and Propagation Systems on the Growth of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Cuttings
by Georgios Lykokanellos, Ioannis Lagogiannis, Aglaia Liopa-Tsakalidi and Georgios Salachas
Horticulturae 2026, 12(2), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020246 - 18 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 816
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of the growth retardants daminozide and paclobutrazol on the production of propagation material of Lavandula angustifolia under controlled greenhouse conditions. Cuttings were propagated using three systems (mist, aeroponics, and float) combined with growth regulator treatments and two rooting [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the effects of the growth retardants daminozide and paclobutrazol on the production of propagation material of Lavandula angustifolia under controlled greenhouse conditions. Cuttings were propagated using three systems (mist, aeroponics, and float) combined with growth regulator treatments and two rooting hormone formulations (powder vs. gel). Shoot height and root traits were assessed as indicators of propagation performance. The results are reported as estimated marginal means (±SE) derived from a fitted general linear model. Overall, the float system was associated with greater shoot elongation, whereas aeroponics consistently promoted longer and more highly branched root systems, resulting in the highest root length and branching among the three propagation systems. Compared with mist and float systems, aeroponic propagation was associated with approximately 20–30% higher estimated root length and a consistently greater degree of root branching across growth regulator treatments. Gel-based rooting formulations further enhanced root length and branching compared with powder formulations across propagation systems. Growth regulator treatments generally reduced shoot height relative to controls, while daminozide showed system-dependent trends for shoot and root traits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming of Horticultural Crops)
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17 pages, 2077 KB  
Article
Hydrogel Utilization and Water Management for Annual and Perennial Herbs in an Extensive Green Roof Environment
by Stuart Alan Walters and Hunter M. Christenson
Horticulturae 2026, 12(2), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020145 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 462
Abstract
Extensive green roofs can be used to provide spaces for local agriculture in urban environments, although extreme moisture and temperature conditions typically found in these systems can often be challenging for crop production. The Southern Illinois University-Carbondale extensive green roof was utilized to [...] Read more.
Extensive green roofs can be used to provide spaces for local agriculture in urban environments, although extreme moisture and temperature conditions typically found in these systems can often be challenging for crop production. The Southern Illinois University-Carbondale extensive green roof was utilized to determine the effects of a polyacrylamide hydrogel, pine bark mulch, and irrigation frequency on the growth and productivity of ‘Compact’ and ‘Italian Large Leaf’ basil (Ocimum basilicum), and the growth and overwintering ability of two perennial culinary herbs, sage (Salvia officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Results indicated that weekly irrigation increased late-season basil and perennial plant vigor, basil fresh and dry weight, and overwintered perennial plant vigor and height compared to bimonthly watering. Although the use of pine bark mulch improved basil fresh weight and plant vigor compared to no mulch, mulching did not influence (p > 0.05) perennial herb growth or overwintering in an extensive green roof environment. Hydrogel applications improved basil plant height compared to none, although fresh and dry plant biomass were not influenced by hydrogel applications. In comparison, hydrogels as additions to the green roof medium did not influence either early- or late-season perennial plant vigor, although the overwintered plant vigor collected the following spring was greater in the no-hydrogel treatment. For perennial herbs, sage had greater vigor, overwinter survival, and overall suitability for extensive green roof environments compared to thyme. This research indicated the importance of perennial herb selection and consistent water supply for annual and perennial herb growth and the overwintering success of perennial herbs. Thus, supplemental water and other management strategies to provide more constant medium moisture content are important considerations for sustaining culinary herb production on extensive green roofs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming of Horticultural Crops)
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18 pages, 896 KB  
Article
Morphological and Biochemical Attributes of Brassica cretica Populations Grown Under Drought Tolerance Conditions
by Theodora Ntanasi, Efthalia Stathi, Ioannis Karavidas, George P. Spyrou, Evangelos Giannothanasis, Maria-Eleftheria Zografaki, Panayiotis Trigas, Eleni Tani and Georgia Ntatsi
Horticulturae 2026, 12(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12010053 - 31 Dec 2025
Viewed by 2234
Abstract
Drought stress is a major constraint on crop productivity in the Mediterranean region. Brassica crops are particularly valued in this region for their adaptability, nutritional benefits, and economic importance in sustainable farming systems. However, their productivity is highly sensitive to water deficits, necessitating [...] Read more.
Drought stress is a major constraint on crop productivity in the Mediterranean region. Brassica crops are particularly valued in this region for their adaptability, nutritional benefits, and economic importance in sustainable farming systems. However, their productivity is highly sensitive to water deficits, necessitating the identification of drought-resilient genotypes. This study investigated the responses of five wild Brassica cretica populations and a commercial Brassica oleracea cultivar to a 50% reduction in irrigation, evaluating key physiological traits, leaf nutrient composition, and antioxidant activity. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse facilities of the Laboratory of Vegetable Production, Agricultural University of Athens. The results revealed significant variation in drought tolerance among the tested populations. Specifically, an ecotype of B. cretica subsp. cretica (C: Akrokorinthos) and B. cretica subsp. laconica (E) showed substantial reductions in biomass, leaf area, and leaf number, whereas B. cretica subsp. aegaea (A: Manikia and B: Ymittos) and another ecotype of B. cretica subsp. cretica (D: Lasithi) maintained stable growth under water-limited conditions. Water deficit also significantly impacted leaf mineral composition, increasing NO3− and Na+ levels while decreasing P, Zn, and Mn. Additionally, drought stress enhanced antioxidant capacity and secondary metabolite production, as indicated by elevated ferric reducing antioxidant power, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content. Notably, the two studied populations of B. cretica subsp. aegaea (A: Manikia, B: Ymittos) and the population of B. cretica subsp. cretica from Lasithi (Crete) (D) exhibit promising drought tolerance, suggesting their potential for cultivation or breeding in water-limited environments. This research contributes to the broader effort of identifying favorable traits in crop wild relatives and to utilize these valuable genetic resources to develop climate-resilient crops for Mediterranean agriculture, where sustainable water use is critical for food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming of Horticultural Crops)
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11 pages, 722 KB  
Article
Substrate Effects on Yield and Nutritional Quality of Amaranth Microgreens in Floating-Tray Hydroponics
by Gilda Carrasco, Pabla Rebolledo, Fernando Fuentes-Peñailillo, Renata Gómez and Paula Manríquez
Horticulturae 2025, 11(11), 1395; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11111395 - 19 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1260
Abstract
Floating-tray hydroponics is expanding for microgreen production, yet evidence on substrate performance under natural-light greenhouses remains limited. This study compared perlite, coconut coir, and a 1:1 (v/v) perlite–coconut coir mixture for amaranth (Amaranthus cv. ‘Diablo Rojo’) grown at [...] Read more.
Floating-tray hydroponics is expanding for microgreen production, yet evidence on substrate performance under natural-light greenhouses remains limited. This study compared perlite, coconut coir, and a 1:1 (v/v) perlite–coconut coir mixture for amaranth (Amaranthus cv. ‘Diablo Rojo’) grown at the end of summer in an unheated greenhouse (CRD; 4 replicates). Perlite significantly improved establishment and yield: emergence reached 72.6% versus 46.1% in coconut coir and 35.1% in the mixture, with fresh biomass of 297, 171, and 119 g m−2, respectively. The proximate composition exhibited consistency across substrates (protein ≈ 32% DW; crude fiber ≈ 32% DW; crude fat ≈ 2.5% DW), whereas nitrate concentrations varied between 1300 and 2500 mg kg−1 FW, irrespective of the substrate. Vitamin C and total phenolics showed no significant variation, and β-carotene exhibited only a slight, non-significant increase in coconut coir. In contrast, mineral composition was substrate-dependent: perlite increased Ca (3626 ppm DW) and Mg (1094 ppm DW), while P and Fe were unaffected; Na was higher in perlite. These results indicate that under natural-light, unheated greenhouses, bioactive compounds are mainly influenced by environmental variability, whereas root-zone aeration drives Ca/Mg enrichment and yield. Perlite-based floating-tray systems represent efficient, low-cost strategies with potentially lower environmental impact, suitable for scalable urban and smallholder microgreen production. These findings, derived from a single-season trial in one unheated greenhouse, should be regarded as preliminary yet consistent with previous studies on microgreens. Future multi-season and multi-species experiments will help to confirm and expand on these results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming of Horticultural Crops)
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