Innovative Cultivation Strategies to Enhance Quality and Bioactive Compounds in Medicinal Plants
A Special Issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524) belonging to the section "Medicinals, Herbs, and Specialty Crops".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 417
Editors
Interests: the influence of ecological and anthropological factors on the yield and quality of drugs of medicinal and aromatic plants; introduction of protected medicinal plant species into agricultural production; organic cultivation of vegetables and medicinal and aromatic plants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: bioactive compounds; phytochemicals; antioxidant properties; green extraction methods; by-product recovery, high-value by-products; circular bioeconomy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: green chemistry; process intensification; green extraction; enabling technologies (ultrasound, microwaves, accelerated solvent extraction); sustainable chemical processes; spray drying; polyphenols; pigments; phytosterols; supercritical CO2; bioactive molecules
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are valuable sources of bioactive compounds widely used in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic products. Ensuring high yield and consistent quality of these plants requires innovative and sustainable cultivation strategies. This Special Issue focuses on approaches that enhance the chemical composition, bioactivity and agronomic performance of MAPs.
We welcome studies investigating the influence of ecological and anthropogenic factors on plant growth, yield and secondary metabolite production. Particular attention is given to hydroponic and other controlled-environment cultivation systems, the application of biostimulants, mechanical conditioning and other innovative methods and techniques to optimize plant growth and metabolite accumulation. Contributions on organic farming, sustainable cultivation, precision agriculture and the use of biotic or abiotic elicitors are also encouraged. Research on the introduction and domestication of protected medicinal plant species, as well as strategies promoting their conservation through cultivation, is of interest. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive overview of modern cultivation methods that improve the quality and bioactivity of medicinal plants. By integrating agronomic innovation with ecological and sustainability considerations, the collected studies will support environmentally responsible production systems while ensuring high-quality raw materials for medicinal and aromatic plant-based products.
Dr. Sanja Radman
Dr. Jana Šic Žlabur
Dr. Ena Cegledi
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-anonymized 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 2400 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
- medicinal plants growing
- innovative cultivation methods
- quality improvement
- secondary metabolites
- controlled environment agriculture
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