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Horticulturae
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Irrigation and Water Management Strategies for Horticultural Systems
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Irrigation and Water Management Strategies for Horticultural Systems

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Biotic and Abiotic Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 May 2025 | Viewed by 6992

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Juan Wang

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Guest Editor
College of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Interests: highly efficient utilization of water and land resource; saline land restoration and utilization; soil water and salt regulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chuncheng Liu

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Guest Editor
Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinxiang 453002, China
Interests: brackish water; reclaimed water; secondary salinization; movement of soil water/salt; agronomic regulation of unconventional water irrigation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Bingjian Cui

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Guest Editor
Institute of Farmland Irrigation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinxiang 453002, China
Interests: advanced wastewater treatment, reclaimed water irrigation, biological contaminants (pathogens, ARGs and cyanotoxin genes) in wastewater

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water is an essential element for plant growth and one of the main limited resources for agricultural development, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. During the past few decades, water use and water management have received more and more attention, considering the increase in water demand and the limited water supply, especially for the agricultural sector, which is the largest water consumer. Irrigation and water management are also important for salt regulation in saline soil area. Moreover, alternative irrigation resources and unconventional water sources, such as brackish water and reclaimed water irrigation, are also receiving increasing attention.

This Special Issue provides a platform for the discussion of irrigation and water utilization of plants, including how a well-planned irrigation schedule or management promotes plant growth, leaf photosynthetic capacity, grain and forage yield, quality, and water use efficiency, as well as production benefits.

This Special Issue invites original research, modelling approaches and methods, and reviews on water management strategies for horticultural systems. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) examinations of how plants efficiently perceive and take up water in the soil; (2) diagnosis of water deficiencies; (3) the effects of different water management practices on plant growth, dry matter accumulation and translocation, nutrient uptake, forage quality, yield, and water and fertilizer use efficiencies; (4) optimized irrigation practices, cropping systems, and agronomic strategies for improving water use efficiency; (5) the plant response to water and salt stress; (6) unconventional water resource utilization in horticultural systems; (7) and research on secondary salinization and its prevention and control in facility horticultural soil.

Dr. Juan Wang
Dr. Chuncheng Liu
Dr. Bingjian Cui
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

  • irrigation
  • water management
  • soil moisture
  • plant growth
  • water use efficiency
  • brackish water
  • reclaimed water
  • secondary salinization

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 5456 KiB  
Article
Effects of Water–Fertilizer–Gas Coupling on Emitter Clogging and Uniformity of Drip Irrigation System
by Peng Li, Xinkun Wang, Chenjun Zhang, Keyue Chen, Abdul Rahim Junejo, Jinrui Liu and Hao Li
Horticulturae 2025, 11(3), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11030333 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 126
Abstract
The drip emitter is a fundamental component of the drip irrigation system, and its performance directly influences the efficiency of water–fertilizer–gas (WFG) coupling irrigation. However, the precise mechanism through which WFG coupling affects emitter clogging and system uniformity remains unclear. To address this, [...] Read more.
The drip emitter is a fundamental component of the drip irrigation system, and its performance directly influences the efficiency of water–fertilizer–gas (WFG) coupling irrigation. However, the precise mechanism through which WFG coupling affects emitter clogging and system uniformity remains unclear. To address this, this study conducted a hydraulic performance test of the drip irrigation system based on micro-nano aerated drip irrigation technology. The clogging patterns of emitters and system uniformity were compared and analyzed under non-aerated drip irrigation and WFG coupling drip irrigation conditions. The results indicate that WFG coupling significantly alters the micromorphological structure and microbial diversity of clogged emitters. This change reduces clogging and can delay the clogging process of different types of emitters, thereby extending their service life by up to 29%. Additionally, it effectively improves the uniformity of the drip irrigation system. These findings highlight the potential of WFG coupling as an effective strategy to mitigate emitter clogging and optimize drip irrigation system performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Water Management Strategies for Horticultural Systems)
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18 pages, 2185 KiB  
Article
Effects of Different Irrigation Rates and Microbial Fertilizers on Inter-Root Soil Environment and Yield and Quality of Brassica chinensis L.
by Saisai Guan, Mengyun Xue, Mengyang Wang, Hao Sun, Hui Li, Qibiao Han and Rui Li
Horticulturae 2025, 11(3), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11030321 - 14 Mar 2025
Viewed by 118
Abstract
Brassica chinensis L. is often grown using ‘excessive water and fertilizer’, which has a negative impact on the inter-root soil environment and the yield and quality of the plant. As the concept of green and sustainable development takes root in people’s minds, it [...] Read more.
Brassica chinensis L. is often grown using ‘excessive water and fertilizer’, which has a negative impact on the inter-root soil environment and the yield and quality of the plant. As the concept of green and sustainable development takes root in people’s minds, it is important to determine the right amount of water and fertilizer. Based on this, the effects of different irrigation rates and microbial fertilizers on the inter-root soil environment and yield and quality of B. chinensis were investigated. A pot experiment was carried out with two irrigation levels (W1: 80–90% of field water capacity; W2: 70–80% of field water capacity) and three fertilizer treatments (F0: no fertilizer; F1: CPS Powder Drill microbial fertilizers; F2: Maya 85 microbial fertilizers). The results showed that microbial fertilizer and irrigation amount, as well as their interaction, all had significant effects on yield, polyphenol content, soluble protein content, nitrate content, and the activities of soil enzymes, such as urease, sucrase, and catalase (p < 0.05). Increases in irrigation amount and the application of microbial fertilizer can increase the yield of B. chinensis, effectively improve the activities of sucrase, urease, and catalase in soil, increase the contents of vitamin C, chlorophyll, soluble protein, and total phenol in leaves, and reduce the content of nitrate. In addition, the findings of the principal component analysis indicated that the F2W2 treatment was the optimal treatment. The results of this study demonstrate that an 80–90% field water capacity, in conjunction with Maya 85 microbial fertilizers, yields an optimal outcome, with a score of 1.86. This outcome suggests that this combination of water and fertilizer can be used as a recommended protocol for the cultivation of Brassica chinensis L. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Water Management Strategies for Horticultural Systems)
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13 pages, 749 KiB  
Article
Seaweed-Derived Bio-Stimulant (Kelpak®) Enhanced the Morphophysiological, Biochemical, and Nutritional Quality of Salt-Stressed Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)
by Avela Sogoni, Bonga Lewis Ngcobo, Muhali Olaide Jimoh, Learnmore Kambizi and Charles Petrus Laubscher
Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121340 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1058
Abstract
Biostimulants such as seaweed extracts are emerging as crop management products that can enhance crop productivity and nutritional quality under abiotic stress conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a seaweed-derived biostimulant (Kelpak®) in alleviating salinity stress in [...] Read more.
Biostimulants such as seaweed extracts are emerging as crop management products that can enhance crop productivity and nutritional quality under abiotic stress conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a seaweed-derived biostimulant (Kelpak®) in alleviating salinity stress in spinach. A greenhouse experiment which consisted of five treatments (T1 = Control plants (no NaCl or seaweed extract (SWE), T2 = plants subjected to 300 mM NaCl without SWE, T3 = 300 mM NaCl + 1% dilution of SWE, T4 = 300 mM NaCl + 2.5% dilution of SWE, and T5 = 300 mM NaCl + 5% dilution of SWE) was conducted. The results showed that salinity without the addition of SWE reduced crop growth, relative water content, chlorophyll, and nutritional quality. Similarly, salinity induced severe oxidative stress, indicated by excessive amounts of superoxide radicals, malondialdehyde and the upregulation of catalase, peroxidase, polyphenols, and flavonoids. Interestingly, plants treated with 5% SWE displayed a substantial enhancement in crop performance, reduction in oxidative stress, and improved nutritional quality, characterised by considerable amounts of minerals, proximate constituents, and vitamins. These results support the use of seaweed extract (Kelpak®) as a biostimulant in enhancing growth and nutritional quality of spinach under saline cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Water Management Strategies for Horticultural Systems)
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9 pages, 1081 KiB  
Article
Impact of Water Temperature on Seedling Quality Parameters in Lactuca sativa L., Solanum lycopersicum L., and Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L.
by Tilen Zamljen and Ana Slatnar
Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1273; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121273 - 29 Nov 2024
Viewed by 677
Abstract
Heat stress represents a significant challenge to global agricultural production, with particular emphasis on air temperature stress. Despite considerable attention to this issue, limited information is available regarding the impact of irrigation water temperature on the quality of vegetable crops. In this study, [...] Read more.
Heat stress represents a significant challenge to global agricultural production, with particular emphasis on air temperature stress. Despite considerable attention to this issue, limited information is available regarding the impact of irrigation water temperature on the quality of vegetable crops. In this study, kohlrabi, tomato, and lettuce were subjected to three distinct irrigation temperatures: 17 °C, 24 °C, and 34 °C. A variety of parameters were measured for the three vegetables, including seedling height, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), mass of the green part (FW), mass of roots (FW), dry weight (DW) of the green part, DW of roots, and leaf area. The results indicated a significant decrease in oxygen (O2) content with rising water temperature, with a 20.8% reduction at 34 °C compared to 17 °C. Notably, the highest temperature of 34 °C exerted the most positive influence on the studied parameters, particularly evident in kohlrabi and tomato. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by elucidating the impact of irrigation water temperature on the growth and development of vegetable seedlings. The findings presented here lay the groundwork for further investigations into the effects of heat stress on agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Water Management Strategies for Horticultural Systems)
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15 pages, 2720 KiB  
Article
Silicon Improves Soil Environment and Promotes Crop Growth under Compound Irrigation via Brackish Water and Reclaimed Water
by Chuncheng Liu, Bingjian Cui, Pengfei Huang, Chao Hu, Jieru Zhao, Zhongyang Li and Juan Wang
Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040317 - 26 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1446
Abstract
Not only is solving freshwater resource shortages effective but also an important measure for realizing the sustainable development of agriculture through the development and use of unconventional water resources. This pot experiment investigated the role of exogenous silicon in the risk of secondary [...] Read more.
Not only is solving freshwater resource shortages effective but also an important measure for realizing the sustainable development of agriculture through the development and use of unconventional water resources. This pot experiment investigated the role of exogenous silicon in the risk of secondary soil salinization and the growth physiology of Lvxiu pakchoi cabbage under irrigation by using brackish water alone (BW), reclaimed water alone (RW), and compound irrigation with brackish water and reclaimed water at a ratio of 1:1, as well as the distribution of silicon in a soil–crop system. The results showed that with the extension of the spraying period of silicon fertilizer, the electrical conductivity (EC) decreased under 1:1 compound irrigation. The pH values in all treatments ranged from 7.95 to 8.10 without a potential risk of alkalization. Spraying silicon fertilizer had a positive effect on increasing the ratio of exchangeable potassium to sodium in soil. Spraying silicon fertilizer significantly reduced the percentage of exchangeable sodium (ESP) and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in soils irrigated using BW, and increased the soil ESP and SAR under compound irrigation and RW irrigation, but these factors did not exceed the threshold of soil salinization. The proper application of silicon fertilizer had no significant effect on the total silicon content in the soil but increased the total silicon content in the plants to some extent. In addition, the yield was improved through proper silicon fertilizer application. In summary, exogenous silicon has positive effects on soil physical and chemical properties and crop growth, and relieves secondary salinization risk under compound irrigation via brackish water and reclaimed water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Water Management Strategies for Horticultural Systems)
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29 pages, 7393 KiB  
Article
Performance of a Drip Irrigation System under the Co-Application of Water, Fertilizer, and Air
by Hao Li, Zhengjun Ma, Guangsong Zhang, Jiayao Chen, Yunchao Lu and Peng Li
Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010006 - 19 Dec 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2301
Abstract
The co-application of water, fertilizer, and air is a new water-saving irrigation method based on drip irrigation technology, which can effectively alleviate the phenomenon of soil rhizosphere hypoxia, improve water and fertilizer utilization efficiency, and inhibit the clogging of irrigation equipment in drip [...] Read more.
The co-application of water, fertilizer, and air is a new water-saving irrigation method based on drip irrigation technology, which can effectively alleviate the phenomenon of soil rhizosphere hypoxia, improve water and fertilizer utilization efficiency, and inhibit the clogging of irrigation equipment in drip irrigation systems. The performance of drip irrigation systems is one of the important factors affecting the effectiveness of the co-application of water, fertilizer, and air. However, the impact of factors such as the aeration method, fertilization device, and working parameters on the performance of drip irrigation systems for the co-application of water, fertilizer, and air is still unclear. Therefore, based on two typical aeration methods, i.e., micro-nano and Venturi aeration, the performance of a drip irrigation system under the co-application of water, fertilizer, and air was studied by comparing and analyzing the effects of different aeration methods, working pressures of the drip irrigation system, and the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of fertilizer irrigation on the spatial distribution uniformity of water, fertilizer, and air in the drip irrigation pipeline network. The results showed that the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of fertilization irrigation had no significant impact on system performance, while the working pressure significantly affected system performance. Compared with the effective effect of Venturi aeration on system performance, micro-nano aeration can significantly affect drip irrigation system performance and effectively improve drip irrigation system performance. The micro-nano-aerated drip irrigation system with the co-application of water, fertilizer, and air under a working pressure of 0.1 MPa has better system performance. The research results are of great significance for revealing the mechanism underlying the impact of the co-application of water, fertilizer, and air on the performance of drip irrigation systems and constructing efficient drip irrigation technology for the co-application of water, fertilizer, and air. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Irrigation and Water Management Strategies for Horticultural Systems)
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