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Horticulturae
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Horticultural Crop Cultivation in Greenhouse Ecosystems: Environmental Regulation and Sustainable...
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Horticultural Crop Cultivation in Greenhouse Ecosystems: Environmental Regulation and Sustainable Production

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 July 2026 | Viewed by 2420

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Filippos Bantis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, Greece
Interests: horticulture; plant photobiology; controlled environment agriculture; plant physiology; vegetable grafting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ioannis Lycoskoufis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, University of the Peloponnese, 24100 Kalamata, Peloponnese, Greece
Interests: greenhouse environment; hydroponics; soilless cultures; sustainable agriculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops has increased in recent decades. The growth and productivity of plants depend on their genetic potential (i.e., their species and variety or hybrid) as well as the environment in which they develop. The environmental factors that critically affect the growth and productivity of plants in a greenhouse can be divided into two groups:

  1. Factors that affect the functions performed in the above-ground parts of plants, which are primarily radiation (light), heat (temperature), humidity, and carbon dioxide.
  2. Factors that affect the functions performed in the roots of plants, which are mainly heat (temperature), water, oxygen, inorganic nutrients, and pH.

The canopy environment is influenced by the greenhouse conditions, while the root environment is influenced by the soil, growing substrate, or hydroponic cultivation system used in the greenhouse.

To maximize production, it is not sufficient to adjust each environmental factor to a specific optimal point; rather, all factors must be regulated in in relation to each other. In addition, in recent years, horticultural cultivation has expanded to indoor farming, where precise control of environmental conditions is a key factor.

The objectives for future greenhouses can be summarized as follows: the creation of a suitable microclimate for the production of fresh plant products, the production of the highest-quality products, economically beneficial operation, minimal use of pesticides, the sustainable use of production inputs with a focus on environmental protection, operation independent of conventional fuels, and the utilization of excess solar energy during the day for other activities.

This Special Issue, “Horticultural Crop Cultivation in Greenhouse Ecosystems: Environmental Regulation and Sustainable Production”, aims to present research papers, short communications and review articles that demonstrate recent findings in this field.

Dr. Filippos Bantis
Dr. Ioannis Lycoskoufis
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

  • solar radiation
  • artificial lighting
  • shading
  • carbon dioxide
  • dehumidification
  • ventilation
  • cooling
  • mist
  • heating
  • resource-use efficiency
  • air recirculation
  • pH
  • electrical conductivity
  • nutrient solution
  • water-use efficiency
  • available water
  • root-zone temperature
  • dissolved oxygen
  • irrigation
  • vertical farms
  • plant factories

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 2031 KB  
Article
Light Quality Regulates Source–Sink Dynamics and Mini-Tuber Formation in Aeroponic Potato
by Zahra Mirzakhani, Rahim Barzegar, Sadegh Mousavi-Fard and Dimitrios Fanourakis
Horticulturae 2026, 12(6), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12060690 - 3 Jun 2026
Abstract
Light intensity and spectral composition regulate plant physiological processes and productivity, particularly under low-light greenhouse conditions. This study was designed to address two main objectives in aeroponically grown potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Agria). First, we evaluated the effects of supplemental light [...] Read more.
Light intensity and spectral composition regulate plant physiological processes and productivity, particularly under low-light greenhouse conditions. This study was designed to address two main objectives in aeroponically grown potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Agria). First, we evaluated the effects of supplemental light quality, focusing on different red (R), blue (B), and white (W) combinations at a constant intensity of 100 μmol m−2 s−1. Second, we assessed the specific effects of far-red (FR) light on plant performance and biomass allocation patterns. Potato plants were grown under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design consisting of eight supplemental LED spectral treatments and a natural-light control. Supplemental lighting increased net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, and biomass compared to the control, demonstrating that moderate increases in light intensity improved plant performance under low-light conditions. Among the spectral treatments, W light and balanced R–B combinations increased net photosynthetic rate by 93.7–198.7% and total biomass by 23.8–132.1% relative to the control, suggesting improved coordination of stomatal activity, electron transport, and chlorophyll biosynthesis under the experimental light environment. In contrast, FR inclusion reduced the net photosynthetic rate and mini-tuber biomass by 15.0–38.6% relative to the corresponding FR-free treatments, particularly under treatments with lower red proportions, suggesting that FR effects are more likely associated with phytochrome-mediated regulation of photosynthetic efficiency and assimilate partitioning under modified red to far-red spectral balance rather than classical shade-avoidance responses. Mini-tuber yield was strongly affected by light treatments. White light and balanced R:B spectra produced the highest tuber number and biomass, increasing mini-tuber number and biomass by 26.6–62.5% and 15.4–87.7%, respectively, compared with the control, whereas FR reduced yield. Although FR appeared to increase the relative allocation of biomass to tubers, overall photosynthetic performance and biomass accumulation remained lower, resulting in lower productivity. Overall, mini-tuber production appeared to be associated with source–sink relationships, where light intensity enhanced photosynthetic performance and biomass production, light quality optimized photosynthetic performance, and FR light appeared to modify biomass allocation patterns. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing spectral composition and FR management in aeroponic seed potato production under low-light greenhouse conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Cultivation in Greenhouse Ecosystems: Environmental Regulation and Sustainable Production)
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26 pages, 7944 KB  
Article
Optimizing Carbon Dioxide Enrichment to Balance Yield, Functional Food Quality, and Economic Feasibility in Plant-Factory-Cultivated Kale
by Manop Kupia, Weerasin Sonjaroon, Gadewara Matmarurat, Masayoshi Shigyo, Patchareeya Boonkorkaew, Nikolaos Tzortzakis and Jutiporn Thussagunpanit
Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050621 - 18 May 2026
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Abstract
Kale is widely recognized as a nutritional superfood. This study investigated the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations (400, 800, and 1200 µmol mol−1) on the growth, yield, physiological responses, and nutritional contents of two kale cultivars (‘Curly Kale’ [...] Read more.
Kale is widely recognized as a nutritional superfood. This study investigated the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations (400, 800, and 1200 µmol mol−1) on the growth, yield, physiological responses, and nutritional contents of two kale cultivars (‘Curly Kale’ and ‘Red Ursa’) grown in a plant factory. A completely randomized design was used to evaluate these parameters. Based on the results, increasing the CO2 concentration to 1200 µmol mol−1 significantly enhanced stem height, shoot, and root fresh weight and dry weight in ‘Curly Kale’ and ‘Red Ursa’, compared to the other CO2 concentrations. Increasing CO2 concentration to 1200 µmol mol−1 significantly enhanced net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency in ‘Curly Kale’. In addition, compared to ambient CO2, the increase in the CO2 concentration to 800 µmol mol−1 significantly increased the vitamin C, soluble protein, and total phenolic contents, while reducing the nitrate accumulation in both cultivars. However, further elevation to 1200 µmol mol−1 CO2 markedly decreased the vitamin C content and total amino acids, including both the essential and non-essential amino acids. Among the tested concentration gradients, 800 µmol mol−1 CO2 was identified as the most cost-effective level for maintaining nutrient density, whereas 1200 µmol mol−1 CO2 increased unit production costs for ‘Red Ursa’ due to a lack of significant yield returns. In conclusion, enriching the CO2 concentration to 800 µmol mol−1 provided a balance between improved growth, photosynthetic performance, and optimal nutritional quality, while ensuring economic feasibility and preserving the superfood identity of kale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Cultivation in Greenhouse Ecosystems: Environmental Regulation and Sustainable Production)
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22 pages, 1946 KB  
Article
Sustainable Greenhouse Grape-Tomato Production Implementing a High-Tech Vertical Aquaponic System
by Ioanna Chatzigeorgiou, Maria Ravani, Ioannis A. Giantsis, Athanasios Koukounaras, Aphrodite Tsaballa and Georgios K. Ntinas
Horticulturae 2026, 12(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12010100 - 17 Jan 2026
Viewed by 835
Abstract
Growing pressure on water resources and mineral fertilizer use calls for innovative and resource-efficient agri-food systems. Aquaponics, integrating aquaculture and hydroponics, represents a promising approach for sustainable greenhouse production. This study, aiming to explore alternative water and nutrient sources for greenhouse tomato production [...] Read more.
Growing pressure on water resources and mineral fertilizer use calls for innovative and resource-efficient agri-food systems. Aquaponics, integrating aquaculture and hydroponics, represents a promising approach for sustainable greenhouse production. This study, aiming to explore alternative water and nutrient sources for greenhouse tomato production without compromising plant adaptability or yield, evaluated the co-cultivation of grape tomato and rainbow trout in a vertical decoupled aquaponic system under controlled greenhouse conditions. Two aquaponic nutrient strategies were tested: unmodified aquaponic water (AP) and complemented aquaponic water (CAP), with conventional hydroponics (HP) as a control, in a Deep Water Culture hydroponic system. Plant performance was assessed through marketable yield and physiological parameters, while system performance was evaluated using combined-biomass Energy Use Efficiency (EUE), Freshwater Use Efficiency (fWUE) and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE), accounting for both plant and fish production. CAP significantly improved tomato yield (9.86 kg m−2) compared to AP (2.40 kg m−2), although it remained lower than HP (12.14 kg m−2). Fresh WUE was comparable between CAP and HP (9.22 vs. 9.24 g L−1), demonstrating effective water reuse. In contrast, EUE and NUE were lower in CAP, reflecting the additional energy demand of the recirculating aquaculture system and nutrient limitations of fish wastewater. These results highlight aquaponics as a water-efficient production system while emphasizing that optimized nutrient management and energy strategies are critical for improving its overall sustainability and performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Cultivation in Greenhouse Ecosystems: Environmental Regulation and Sustainable Production)
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Review

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73 pages, 1772 KB  
Review
Innovations in Agronomy and Their Impact on Greenhouse Vegetable Yields: Species-Specific Perspectives
by Dimitrios Fanourakis, Theodora Makraki, Emmanouil Vlachogiannakis, Georgios Tsaniklidis, Oliver Körner and Georgia Ntatsi
Horticulturae 2026, 12(6), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12060684 - 31 May 2026
Viewed by 467
Abstract
Tomato, cucumber, and sweet pepper represent the backbone of greenhouse vegetable cultivation. Over recent decades, developments in agronomic practices have been central to improving yield, resource-use efficiency, resilience to abiotic stresses, and product quality. This review synthesizes dispersed evidence on water and nutrient [...] Read more.
Tomato, cucumber, and sweet pepper represent the backbone of greenhouse vegetable cultivation. Over recent decades, developments in agronomic practices have been central to improving yield, resource-use efficiency, resilience to abiotic stresses, and product quality. This review synthesizes dispersed evidence on water and nutrient management, cultivar improvement, grafting, canopy management, biological inputs, and postharvest-oriented agronomy, while highlighting that the three crops exhibit markedly different responses to these practices. These responses are primarily driven by crop-specific differences in source–sink balance, root-zone regulation, canopy architecture, reproductive stability, and postharvest metabolic regulation. Tomato typically demonstrates substantial improvements in yield and water use efficiency under optimized fertigation strategies, with canopy management additionally promoting source–sink balance and stress resilience. Cucumber, by contrast, is particularly sensitive to water deficits, salinity, and nutrient imbalances, necessitating stricter control of irrigation and fertilization to maintain stable root-zone water flux and transpiration dynamics. Sweet pepper often exhibits greater physiological complexity, as yield stability is strongly influenced by microclimate-sensitive metabolic and ionic balance, frequently associated with trade-offs in quality, including firmness, color development, and nutritional composition. The success of grafting, microbial inoculants, and biostimulants further varies considerably among crops, reinforcing the need for crop-specific strategies rather than generalized approaches. Postharvest-oriented agronomy, involving the regulation of nutrient supply, harvest timing, and canopy structure, is becoming increasingly important for prolonging shelf life and improving quality in line with market demands. Sustainability-oriented practices, including nutrient recycling and water-saving strategies, additionally contribute to reducing environmental burdens while maintaining profitability. By identifying species-specific physiological constraints and agronomic priorities, this review highlights that crop-customized and physiologically integrated management strategies are essential for improving productivity, resilience, and quality in protected cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Cultivation in Greenhouse Ecosystems: Environmental Regulation and Sustainable Production)
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