Submit to Horticulturae Review for Horticulturae Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2025) | Viewed by 20115

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Wacław Jarecki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Crop Production, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4 St., 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
Interests: agrotechnics; fertilization; foliar fertilization; nutrients; legumes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Maciej Balawejder

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry and Food Toxicology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, Collegium of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, St. Ćwiklińskiej 2D, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: fruit and vegetables; storage; ozonation; herbicide residues; active compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Natalia Matłok

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Food and Agriculture Production Engineering, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4 St., 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: orchard; vegetables; herbs; abiotic and biotic stresses

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To meet the ever-increasing global demand for food, the agricultural community continues to seek innovative practices to boost crop yields without sacrificing the environment. For example, using huge amounts of fertilizers hampers soil health and generates pollution. Integrated nutrient management paves the way towards overcoming these problems, which involves conjunctive use of chemical fertilizers and organic manures. Horticular crops require many essential nutrients for optimum growth, yield and quality (N, P, K, Mg, S, Ca and microelements). Hence, these are applied through fertilizers. Application of plant nutrients in optimum ratio and adequate amounts is called “Balanced Fertilization”.

Sustainable Fertilization Management is the proper supply of all nutrients throughout the growth of a crop. It is now commonly understood that irrational and/or excessive fertilizer application does not always translate into a continuous increase in crop yield. In contrast, a balanced fertilization strategy is economically superior and is a more sustainable agricultural practice. According to “Liebig’s barrel” principle, plant growth is dictated by the scarcest resource (limiting factor) and not by the total resources available. A deficiency in one nutrient cannot be compensated by a surplus of any of the others. Thus, one nutrient alone cannot ensure the yield, and a balance between the nutrients is essential to ensure attainment of yields according to the genetic potential of the crops.

Fertilizer application must be planned to accommodate any variability. The main factors for consideration are crop type, anticipated yield, the naturally available nutrients in the soil and the changes in nutrients required by a particular crop during its growth cycle. Calculations are usually based on a combination of scientific research and local experience. A crop’s nutrient uptake often varies, both by field and by year. Field variability is primarily due to different soil conditions, while annual variability is often a result of changing weather patterns. Application programmes that do not sufficiently account for these variations in uptake can lead to incorrect fertilization. Hence, research in this field must be up to date and is crucial for science and the practice of horticulture.

This Special Issue publishes scientific articles and reviews discussing the consequences of balanced fertilization of horticultural plants.

Dr. Wacław Jarecki
Prof. Maciej Balawejder
Dr. Natalia Matłok
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

horticulture
precision agriculture
balanced fertilization
macroelements
microelements

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.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (10 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

19 pages, 1156 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Selenium/Iodine Foliar Application and Seasonal Conditions on Yield and Quality of Perennial Wall Rocket

by Alessio Vincenzo Tallarita, Nadezhda Golubkina, Stefania De Pascale, Agnieszka Sękara, Robert Pokluda, Otilia Cristina Murariu, Eugenio Cozzolino, Vincenzo Cenvinzo and Gianluca Caruso

Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020211 - 17 Feb 2025

Viewed by 434

Abstract

The biofortification of leafy vegetables with selenium (Se) and iodine (I) provides the basis for the Se/I status optimization and preservation of human health. The effect of foliar Se, I, and Se + I supply in three different crop cycles (autumn, autumn–winter, and winter) on yield, quality, and mineral composition of wall rocket leaves was investigated using biochemical and ICP-MS methods of analysis. Joint foliar supply with selenate/iodide increased yield, antioxidant activity, total phenolic, ascorbic acid, and protein levels by 1.63, 1.24, 1.22, 1.25, and 1.50 times, respectively, and the content of Ca, Mg, P, K, Fe, Cu, and Zn by 1.27, 1.24, 1.35, 1.46, 3.67, 2.76, and 1.44 times, respectively. High correlations between Se, antioxidants, P, Mg, and Ca (r > 0.80) as well as between yield and K/protein content were recorded. Despite a significant decrease in yield, protein, and K, Fe, Cu, and Mn contents in the third crop cycle, compared to the first one, 50 g of wall rocket biofortified with Se/I may provide up to 100% of the Se adequate consumption level, 34.3% of I, 9% of K, 24% of Fe, and 17.7% Ca. The results of the present research confirm the high efficiency of Se/I supply to produce D. tenuifolia leaves as a new functional food. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 5855 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Exogenous Organic Matter on Soil Nutrient Dynamics and Its Role in Replacing Chemical Fertilizers for Vegetable Yield and Quality

by Juan Wang, Xinyue Li, Anquan Chen, Yan Li, Mengyun Xue and Shaoyuan Feng

Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121355 - 17 Dec 2024

Viewed by 867

Abstract

Searching for a low-cost soil amendment that can reduce the reliance on chemical fertilizers while maintaining crop yields is a vital issue to sustainable agricultural development. In this study, bio-organic matter derived from harmless disposal of livestock and poultry carcasses was used to discuss its potential for substitute chemical fertilizer. An incubation experiment was conducted by incorporating bio-organic matter into the soil at the rate of 0% (CK), 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6% and 7% (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7) of soil mass to investigate the effects of bio-organic matter on soil physical properties and the nutrient release dynamics. A pot experiment was conducted with three treatments: 150 mg·kg⁻¹ nitrogen from compound fertilizer (CK), 150 mg·kg⁻¹ nitrogen from bio-organic matter (B1) and 300 mg·kg⁻¹ nitrogen from bio-organic matter (B2), to evaluate the potential of bio-organic matter as a substitute for chemical fertilizers in influencing the yield and quality of Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.). Results showed that in the incubation experiment, bio-organic matter addition reduced soil bulk density of 1.5% to 8.9% and increased soil porosity by ranging from 1.5% to 10.9%. The soil physical properties were significantly improved when addition rates ≥ 4% (by soil mass). The interaction effects of addition rate and incubation time had a significant effect on soil nutrients. In the pot experiment, substitution of chemical fertilizer with bio-organic matter did not reduce the yield, and the increasing application rate of bio-organic matter led to significantly higher soluble protein, soluble sugar and total phenol content of vegetables. Additionally, nitrite content in the vegetables was slightly lower with bio-organic matter compared to that under CK. It is concluded that bio-organic matter derived from the harmless disposal of livestock and poultry carcasses is feasible; it has great potential to partially or entirely replace chemical fertilizers, thereby contributing to realizing chemical fertilizer reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2813 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lignin Sulfonate-Chelated Calcium Improves Tomato Plant Development and Fruit Quality by Promoting Ca²⁺ Uptake and Transport

by Jiucheng Zhang, Minghui Du, Genzhong Liu, Fangfang Ma and Zhilong Bao

Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121328 - 12 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1044

Abstract

Calcium (Ca) plays a key role in cell wall stabilization and various physiological processes. Ca fertilizers are widely used in agriculture to meet crop demands and improve yield and quality. However, traditional Ca fertilizers often suffer from low solubility, poor absorption, and mobility issues. Chelated Ca fertilizers offer enhanced efficiency and uptake. In this study, we compared the effects of lignosulfonate-chelated Ca (LS–Ca), EDTA-chelated Ca (EDTA–Ca), Ca(NO₃)₂, and alcohol sugar-chelated Ca (AS–Ca) with a Ca concentration of 15 mg/L on tomato growth. The results showed that LS–Ca increased the contents of chlorophyll a and b contents in leaves by 26% and 46%, respectively. The application of Ca fertilizers significantly enhanced Ca²⁺ uptake and transport, with the LS–Ca treatment achieving the highest utilization efficiency. Without altering fruit weight, the LS–Ca treatment increased the firmness of mature tomato fruits by 29%. Furthermore, the LS–Ca treatment improved fruit sweetness by 33%, with the total sugar content increasing by 45%, sucrose by 80%, reducing sugars by 64%, and titratable acidity by 18%. This study aims to compare the effects of different chelated Ca fertilizers on tomato cultivation and to explore optimal Ca supplementation strategies, thereby contributing to improvements in tomato cultivation practices and fruit quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Fruit Retention and Juice Quality in ‘Kinnow’ (Citrus reticulata) Through the Combined Foliar Application of Potassium, Zinc, and Plant Growth Regulators

by Iqra Arshad, Muhammad Saleem, Muhammad Akhtar, Muhammad Yousaf Shani, Ghulam Farid, Wacław Jarecki and Muhammad Yasin Ashraf

Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1245; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121245 - 25 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1512

Abstract

Improving fruit quality and reducing pre-harvest fruit drop are critical goals for Citrus reticulata production in Pakistan, where climatic and nutritional challenges affect yield and juice quality. This study evaluated the combined effects of plant growth regulators (salicylic acid and indole acetic acid) and nutrients (potassium and zinc) on fruit drop and juice volume in Citrus reticulata L. Field trials were conducted at three locations in Punjab, Pakistan (Layyah, Faisalabad, and Sargodha) using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications per treatment. Nutrients (K and Zn at 100 mg/L each) and growth regulators (SA at 100 mg/L and IAA at 5 mg/L) were applied individually or in combination at three growth stages. Statistical analyses, including PCA, ANOVA, and GGE biplot, were used to identify the most effective treatments for improving fruit juice quality and reducing fruit drop. The combined foliar application of SA + K + Zn was the most effective across all parameters, except fruit drop, juice citric acid contents, and juice pH, which were negatively affected. The highest juice potassium content was observed with K application. The PCA and GGE biplot analysis indicated that the Sargodha orchard performed best, with the SA + K treatment being the most effective there, while SA + K + Zn showed the best results at Layyah and Faisalabad for reducing fruit drop, enhancing juice volume, and improving fruit quality. However, individual fruit, juice, and juice nutrient contents traits analyses revealed that the most significant improvements in fruit and juice quality were observed at the Sargodha site instead of Layyah and Faisalabad. The treatment SA + K + Zn proved to be the most stable and consistent in enhancing citrus fruit and juice quality across all three selected locations. The findings suggest that adopting the SA + K + Zn treatment could be a practical approach for citrus farmers aiming to enhance crop yield and fruit quality, thereby supporting agricultural productivity and export potential in Pakistan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 5198 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Soil Management Practices on Soil Culturable Bacteriota and Species Diversity in Central European a Productive Vineyard under Warm and Dry Conditions

by Vladimír Šimanský, Miroslava Kačániová, Martin Juriga, Natália Čmiková, Petra Borotová, Elena Aydın and Elzbieta Wójcik-Gront

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070753 - 16 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1492

Abstract

Sustainable management practices are crucial for the longevity of a monoculture vineyard, especially in the context of a changing climate. Therefore, soil management practices in a vineyard (T: tillage, T+FYM: tillage + farmyard manure, G: grass strips, G+NPK1: grass strips + rational rates of NPK, and G+NPK2: grass strips + higher rates of NPK) were tested in a temperate climate of Slovakia (Central Europe) under specific soil conditions (Rendzic Leptosol). We investigated the influence of continuous cropping on soil chemical properties and microbial communities during the dry and warm year of 2022. The results showed that the soil pH was higher by 19%, 21%, 24% and 13% in T, T+FYM, G and G+NPK1, respectively, compared to G+NPK2. The lowest soil organic matter (SOM) content was found in T, and it increased in the following order: T < T+FYM < G+NPK2 < G+NPK1 < G. Similarly, the lowest abundance of soil culturable bacteriota was found in T and it increased in the following order: T < T+FYM = G+NPK2 < G+NPK1< G. Culturable bacteriota was identified using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper). The most numerous species group was Bacillus, followed by Lactobacillus > Staphylococcus > Pseudomonas. The most frequently isolated species were Bacillus megaterium (16.55%), Bacillus cereus (5.80%), Bacillus thuringiensis (4.87%), and Bacillus simplex (4.37%). Positive relationships between SOM and soil culturable bacteriota were found in the G and G+NPK1 treatments. Temperature also affected soil culturable bacteriota in all soil management practices, most significantly in G+NPK1. Overall, the best scenario for the sustainable management of a productive vineyard is the use of grass strips. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 661 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Transplanting Time and Nitrogen–Potassium Ratio on Yield, Growth, and Quality of Cauliflower Landrace Gigante di Napoli in Southern Italy

by Alessio Vincenzo Tallarita, Eugenio Cozzolino, Antonio Salluzzo, Agnieszka Sekara, Robert Pokluda, Otilia Cristina Murariu, Lorenzo Vecchietti, Luisa del Piano, Pasquale Lombardi, Antonio Cuciniello and Gianluca Caruso

Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 518; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050518 - 17 May 2024

Viewed by 1301

Abstract

Research has been increasingly focusing on the preservation of the biodiversity of vegetable crops under sustainable farming management. An experiment was carried out in southern Italy on Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, landrace Gigante di Napoli, to assess the effects of two transplanting times (9 September and 7 October), in factorial combination with five nitrogen–potassium ratios (0.6; 0.8; 1.0; 1.2; and 1.4) on plant growth, yield, and quality of cauliflower heads. A split-plot design was used for the treatment distribution in the field, with three replications. The earlier transplant and the 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest yield, mean weight, and firmness of cauliflower heads which were not significantly affected by both transplanting time and N:K ratio in terms of colour components. The 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest head diameter with the earlier transplant, whereas the 1.0 ratio was the most effective on this parameter in the later crop cycle. The highest nitrate, nitrogen, and potassium concentrations in the heads were recorded with the earlier transplanting time. Antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and polyphenol content increased with the rise of the N:K ratio. The element use efficiency was constantly negative with the N:K increase for nitrogen and was augmented until the 1.2 ratio for potassium. The results of our investigation showed that the optimal combination between transplanting time and N:K ratio is a key aspect to improve head yield and quality of the cauliflower landrace Gigante di Napoli, under the perspective of biodiversity safeguarding and valorisation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1125 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi May Improve Soil Fertility and the Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Physiological Performance of Batavia Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) Plants

by Theocharis Chatzistathis, Konstantinos Zoukidis, Christos Vasilikiotis, Antonios Apostolidis, Anastasia E. Giannakoula, Areti Bountla and Apostolos Chatziathanasiadis

Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050449 - 28 Apr 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1895

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was realized to investigate the effects of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on soil quality and the growth, nutrient uptake, and physiological performance of Batavia lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia). For this purpose, six fertilization treatments were applied: (i) inorganic fertilization (I.F.—control, i.e., usual/conventional fertilization), (ii) I.F. + PGPR, (iii) I.F. + PGPR + AMF, (iv) manure (MAN), (v) MAN + PGPR, and (vi) MAN + PGPR + AMF. Soil fertility was influenced by the treatments, and soil respiration (CO₂ flux) was significantly increased after applications of PGPR and AMF. Following MAN fertilization in particular, an approximately sixfold higher soil respiration value was recorded following the MAN + PGPR + AMF treatment compared to the control (I.F.). Root, leaf, and total biomass dry weights were significantly affected by the PGPR and AMF applications, mainly following the I.F. treatment. In contrast, K, Mg, and Fe uptake was significantly influenced by PGPR and AMF application following the MAN treatment. The SPAD value, performance index (PI), photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance were significantly higher in the I.F. + PGPR + AMF-treated plants compared to the control plants. Overall, these data prove the beneficial roles of PGPR and AMF in soil quality and fertility and the nutrient uptake and physiological performance of lettuce plants. However, further clarification is needed in the near future to test the interaction effects between PGPR, AMF, and the type of fertilizer used (organic or inorganic). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1115 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Nitrogen and Water Management Strategies to Optimize Yield in Open Field Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Production

by Adewale Suraj Bello, Samsul Huda, Zhong-Hua Chen, Muhammad Fasih Khalid, Mohammed Alsafran and Talaat Ahmed

Horticulturae 2023, 9(12), 1336; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9121336 - 13 Dec 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2397

Abstract

Countries in arid climates, such as Qatar, require efficient water-saving strategies and nitrogen treatment for vegetable production. Vegetable importation constituted approximately USD 352 million of Qatar’s 2019 GDP; hence, enhancing local production is essential. This study investigated the effect of varying nitrogen and water levels on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit yield. Various water management strategies were also evaluated. A split plot design was employed with two water levels (W1: 50% deficit irrigation, W2: 100% full irrigation) and three nitrogen levels (N1: 50 kg N ha⁻¹, N2: 70 kg N ha⁻¹, N3: 100 kg N ha⁻¹) to examine cucumber yield and physiological response. Our findings revealed that using minimal drip irrigation and reducing nitrogen levels significantly enhanced the growth, SPAD index, fruit characteristics, and yield components of cucumber. Drip irrigation had a greater influence on cucumber production than nitrogen levels. Shoot height increased by 4% from W2N1 (T1) to W1N3 (T6) and 4.93% from W2N2 (T2) to W1N2 (T5). Fruit length and width increased by 10.63% and 13.41% from T2 and T1 to T5, respectively. The highest total yield occurred at T5, followed by T6, T2, W2N3 (T3), W1N1 (T4), and T1 at 34.5, 29.1, 27.6, 25.8, 25.2, and 20.4 t/ha, respectively. The optimal combination comprised 50% deficit irrigation (W1) and 70 kg N ha⁻¹ (N2) nitrogen. These results suggest the importance of optimizing drip irrigation for achieving maximum cucumber fruit yield in arid climates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1098 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Soil Biodisinfection Techniques in Horticultural Crops on Profitability within the Framework of the Circular Economy

by Francisco José Castillo-Díaz, Luis J. Belmonte-Ureña, Ana Batlles-delaFuente and Francisco Camacho-Ferre

Horticulturae 2023, 9(8), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080859 - 27 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1625

Abstract

Agricultural systems must identify fertilization strategies in line with the principles of sustainable development and the circular economy to achieve environmentally friendly food production and to meet the fertilizer-reduction targets set by some territories, such as the European Union (EU). The objective of this work was to identify the multifunctionality and cost-effectiveness in the use of the biodisinfection technique in greenhouse horticultural crops. For this purpose, a cost comparison of the different cultivation strategies was conducted, based on a systematic review of the existing literature. The results of this work suggest that the biodisinfection of soil containing agricultural biomass serves as a fertilization strategy that allows a reduction in a large part of inorganic fertilizers in protected horticultural crops of intensive nature, in addition to mitigating the expression of soil pathogens. Reducing the use of fertilizers and phytosanitary products, management fees, and important means of production, such as water, allows a reduction of up 6.1% in production costs. The biodisinfection technique is a methodology that can promote circularity in farms while favoring the use of waste, such as agricultural biomass, which can damage the environment when not properly treated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

13 pages, 6376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Using Plasma-Activated Water as a Nitrate Source on the Growth and Nutritional Quality of Hydroponically Grown Green Oak Lettuces

by Soraya Ruamrungsri, Choncharoen Sawangrat, Kanokwan Panjama, Phanumas Sojithamporn, Suchanuch Jaipinta, Wimada Srisuwan, Malinee Intanoo, Chaiartid Inkham and Sa-nguansak Thanapornpoonpong

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020248 - 11 Feb 2023

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5504

Abstract

Nitrate is a major source of the inorganic nitrogen taken up by the roots of plants. Nitrate sources are generally derived from inorganic minerals by an energy-consuming chemical process; as a result, the price of chemical fertilizers is gradually increasing year by year. NO₃-N, generated from N₂ using the plasma technique, is an alternative method of producing nitrate from the air. Therefore, in this research, we aimed to determine the efficiency of generating NO₃-N using plasma-activated water (PAW) to replace nitrates from chemical fertilizer in a nutrient solution. Green oak lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was grown in a hydroponics system using the double-pot technique. The plants were supplied with three different nutrient solutions (based on Hoagland’s solution), i.e., T1, no nitrate in the nutrient solution (NO₃⁻ = 0); T2, using nitrate sourced from a commercial chemical fertilizer (normal nitrate); and T3, using a nitrate source generated using the pinhole plasma jet technique (plasma nitrate). The other macronutrients and micronutrients in each treatment were equally supplied. The results show that, at the harvested stage (21 days after the plants received treatment), the no-nitrate (T1) treatment provided lower growth and yields. Moreover, compared with the normal nitrate (T2) and plasma nitrate (T3), the results indicate that most growth and yields showed no statistical differences. In terms of nitrate accumulation within plants, it was found that the normal nitrate treatment (T2) had the highest levels of nitrate accumulation, in both the underground and aboveground parts of green oak lettuce. These results confirmed that plasma nitrate could be an alternative source of nitrate N which provided a safer way for the environment and human health in terms of nitrate accumulation. In addition, data related to the chemical analysis of free amino acid concentrations in each treatment are discussed in this research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (10 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI