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Horticulturae
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From Farm to Table in the Era of a New...
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From Farm to Table in the Era of a New Horticulture in Spain

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2024) | Viewed by 7952

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. María del Carmen Martínez Ballesta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Agronomic Engineering Department, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48., Murcia, 30203 Cartagena, Spain
Interests: water relations; aquaporins; secondary metabolism (glucosinolates); membrane proteins and nutrition in plants; crop production under different salinity stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Victor M. Gallegos-Cedillo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agronomic Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain
Interests: nature-based solutions; soil-less cultivation; salinity eustress; fertigation; crop physiology; greenhouse technology; plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria; soil fertility; sustainable water management; nutrient use efficiency; plant factory
Dr. Almudena Giménez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Agronomic Engineering Department, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XII, 48, Murcia, 30203 Cartagena, Spain
Interests: suppressive compost; compost tea; baby leaf; hydroponic cultivation; urban horticulture; vertical farming; sustainable agriculture; horticultural crops; microgreens; growing media; enzyme activities; microorganisms

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Concepts of horticultural science are utilized for the production, enhancement and marketing as well as the improvement of human and animal life on Earth. With an arable land of 16.9 million hectares, and a world population that will increase from the current 7 billion to 9.5 billion by the year 2050, new technological advancements in horticulture have emerged as a major focus in crop production.

The field of horticulture has grown exponentially in recent years. The future of horticulture holds different possibilities for progress in terms of new technologies and precision agriculture, sustainable practices, urban agriculture, climate resilience, consumer preferences, health and wellness and biodiversity conservation. In the context of promoting efficient and sustainable crop production systems, that require less inputs and biodegradable wastes as well as do not compromise productivity and quality, we present this Special Issue with the aim to provide insights on the following areas:

  • The latest scientific results on innovative and smart technologies, such as vertical farming and indoor cultivation, agrovoltaics, artificial intelligence in agriculture, agroecology and automation and measurement of fertigation, all of which promote precision management in horticulture;
  • Other advances in soilless cultivation, with new opportunities to improve plant growth and reduce water and carbon footprint as well as improve nutrient efficiency in consonance with an environmental objective;
  • New substrates as a source of nutrients, substrates for green roofs and vertical gardens, new alternative substrates to peat and the study of physical, chemical, and biological properties of substrates, substrate disinfection and recovery and the reuse of nutritional solutions that can improve horticulture;
  • New fertilizers, such as biofertilizers, fortifiers and/or biostimulants, techniques for increasing efficiency in the use of fertilizers, use of compost and vermicompost, precision fertilization, new varieties adapted to climate change conditions, and new control techniques of plagues and diseases;
  • Importance of bioactive compounds in horticultural products, novel plant products for food, pre-harvest applications to improve post-harvest quality and the revaluation of plant resources for food as a sustainable link of the food chain.

Prof. Dr. María del Carmen Martínez Ballesta
Dr. Victor M. Gallegos-Cedillo
Dr. Almudena Giménez
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
  • crop substrates
  • fertilization
  • food technology
  • smart fertigation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1657 KiB  
Article
Wine Waste Compost Addition to a Vineyard of Chelva Grape of Central Spain: Effect on Wine Volatile Compounds
by María Osorio Alises, Eva Sánchez Palomo and Miguel Ángel González-Viñas
Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020219 - 18 Feb 2025
Viewed by 418
Abstract
The use of winemaking waste compost as an alternative fertilization treatment for vines of the Chelva grape variety was researched. Three different organic amendments (1 kg/m, 2 kg/m, and 3 kg/m) of winemaking waste compost were applied, and a no-applied-amendments condition served as [...] Read more.
The use of winemaking waste compost as an alternative fertilization treatment for vines of the Chelva grape variety was researched. Three different organic amendments (1 kg/m, 2 kg/m, and 3 kg/m) of winemaking waste compost were applied, and a no-applied-amendments condition served as the control. The wines were elaborated according to a traditional white winemaking process. The solid phase extraction (SPE) technique and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques were, respectively, used for the isolation of wine volatile compounds and their identification and quantification. A total of 81 aroma compounds were identified and quantified in Chelva wines, independently of the fertilization treatment used. The results bring to light that the application of organic amendments from winemaking waste compost during vine cultivation produced changes in the concentration of wine volatile compounds, especially for the varietal aroma compounds. These results show that the use of wine-distillery compost as a vine fertilization treatment is a viable alternative to traditional fertilization methods, particularly when the fertilization dose is 2 Kg/linear meter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Farm to Table in the Era of a New Horticulture in Spain)
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12 pages, 855 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Effects of Asparagus Decline Syndrome on Yield and Quality Parameters over Three Years in Western Europe
by Francisco Javier López-Moreno, Eloy Navarro-León, Santiago Atero-Calvo, Eduardo de la Lastra, Juan Manuel Ruiz and Teresa Soriano
Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020159 - 2 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1192
Abstract
Asparagus decline syndrome (ADS) poses a critical challenge to the productivity and quality of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.), threatening the sustainability of its cultivation. This study evaluated the impact of ADS over four years in Western Europe by comparing soils with and [...] Read more.
Asparagus decline syndrome (ADS) poses a critical challenge to the productivity and quality of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.), threatening the sustainability of its cultivation. This study evaluated the impact of ADS over four years in Western Europe by comparing soils with and without a history of the syndrome. The results revealed a consistent reduction in yield, with losses of 36% in 2019 and 2020 and 23% in 2021 compared to the results for the control soils. ADS also increased the proportion of non-commercial spears, peaking at 52% in 2020. Key quality parameters were significantly affected by ADS, especially in the final year of the trial, with reductions observed in spear weight, diameter, firmness, and volume. On the other hand, °Brix values increased by 10% to 16%, while juiciness decreased by 10% to 28%, depending on the year, enhancing sweetness but compromising texture, and thereby, marketable quality. The findings highlight the detrimental effects of replanting asparagus in ADS-affected soils and the need for integrated management strategies to mitigate its impacts. This research contributes valuable insights into ADS dynamics, offering a foundation for developing agronomic solutions that enhance productivity and ensure the long-term viability of asparagus cultivation in affected regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Farm to Table in the Era of a New Horticulture in Spain)
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19 pages, 1450 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Drought Tolerance in Lettuce: The Efficacy of the Seaweed-Derived Biostimulant Cytolan® Stress Applied at Different Growth Stages
by Daniel Velasco-Clares, Eloy Navarro-León, María José Izquierdo-Ramos, Begoña Blasco and Juan Manuel Ruiz
Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020157 - 2 Feb 2025
Viewed by 734
Abstract
Water stress is one of the foremost global abiotic stressors limiting agricultural productivity. Biostimulants and bioactive compounds are emerging as promising tools to enhance crop stress tolerance. This study investigates the effects of Cytolan® Stress, a novel seaweed-derived biostimulant, on the water [...] Read more.
Water stress is one of the foremost global abiotic stressors limiting agricultural productivity. Biostimulants and bioactive compounds are emerging as promising tools to enhance crop stress tolerance. This study investigates the effects of Cytolan® Stress, a novel seaweed-derived biostimulant, on the water stress tolerance of lettuce plants. Three application strategies were evaluated: priming, where the biostimulant is applied before the onset of stress to prepare the plants for adverse conditions; buffering, involving application at the onset of stress to mitigate its immediate effects; and detoxifying, where the biostimulant is applied after stress to aid in plant recovery. Biomass, stress-related parameters, antioxidant activity, osmoprotectant levels, and photosynthesis-related metrics were analyzed to elucidate its potential mechanisms of action. The results demonstrated that Cytolan® Stress in priming and buffering applications significantly improved water stress tolerance, reducing biomass loss from 45% to only 25%. Moreover, the detoxifying treatment was the most effective, as plants showed biomass values similar to those of the control plants. The biostimulant reduced oxidative stress indicators while enhancing antioxidant defenses, including ascorbate (AsA)-glutathione (GSH) cycle, antioxidant compounds, and enzyme activities. In addition, Cytolan® Stress preserved photosynthesis performance under water stress conditions. These findings highlight the potential of Cytolan® Stress to mitigate drought stress effects in lettuce, offering broader implications for crop tolerance and resilience under water-limited conditions. Further studies are recommended to explore its efficacy across different crops and stress scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Farm to Table in the Era of a New Horticulture in Spain)
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19 pages, 1620 KiB  
Article
Enhancing ‘Mirlo Rojo’ Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Quality Through Regulated Deficit Irrigation: Effects on Antioxidant Activity, Fatty Acid Profile, and Volatile Compounds
by Lucía Andreu-Coll, Francisco Burló, Alejandro Galindo, Jesús García-Brunton, Jesús Vigueras-Fernández, Pedro J. Blaya-Ros, Rafael Martínez-Font, Luis Noguera-Artiaga, Esther Sendra, Francisca Hernández and Antonio J. Signes-Pastor
Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1253; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121253 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 811
Abstract
Water scarcity is a significant global risk affecting health, food security, economic development, social stability, environmental sustainability, and climate change adaptation. Implementing deficit irrigation strategies can improve water efficiency and agricultural resilience. Spain, particularly the Region of Murcia, has pioneered apricot cultivation, with [...] Read more.
Water scarcity is a significant global risk affecting health, food security, economic development, social stability, environmental sustainability, and climate change adaptation. Implementing deficit irrigation strategies can improve water efficiency and agricultural resilience. Spain, particularly the Region of Murcia, has pioneered apricot cultivation, with the ‘Mirlo Rojo’ variety known for its high productivity, Sharka virus resistance, and exceptional organoleptic qualities. This study evaluates the effects of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on the quality, antioxidant activity, fatty acid profile, and volatile compounds of ‘Mirlo Rojo’ apricots. Four irrigation treatments (100% ETc, 60% ETc, 33% ETc, and 0% ETc) were tested during the final growth stages in May 2023. Results showed no adverse effects on the evaluated parameters. RDI treatments increased total soluble solids, glucose, and fructose content, improving maturity and sweetness indices. RDI also enhanced phenolic content and antioxidant activity, optimizing water use without compromising fruit quality and bioactive compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Farm to Table in the Era of a New Horticulture in Spain)
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19 pages, 2992 KiB  
Article
Rootstock Effects on Tomato Fruit Composition and Pollinator Preferences in Tomato
by Maialen Ormazabal, Ángela S. Prudencio, Purificación A. Martínez-Melgarejo, José Ángel Martín-Rodríguez, Laureano Ruiz-Pérez, Cristina Martínez-Andújar, Antonio R. Jiménez and Francisco Pérez-Alfocea
Horticulturae 2024, 10(9), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10090992 - 19 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1390
Abstract
Food security is threatened by climate change and associated abiotic stresses that affect the flowering stage and the biochemistry of flowers and fruits. In tomato, managed insect pollination and grafting elite tomato varieties onto robust rootstocks are widely practiced commercially to enhance tomato [...] Read more.
Food security is threatened by climate change and associated abiotic stresses that affect the flowering stage and the biochemistry of flowers and fruits. In tomato, managed insect pollination and grafting elite tomato varieties onto robust rootstocks are widely practiced commercially to enhance tomato crop profitability, particularly under suboptimal conditions. However, little is known about rootstock–pollinator interactions and their impact on the chemical composition of fruit. In this study, a commercial tomato F1 hybrid (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was self-grafted and grafted onto a set of experimental rootstocks and cultivated under optimal and saline (75 mM NaCl) conditions in the presence of managed bumblebee pollinators (Bombus terrestris). The number of visits (VN) and total visiting time (TVT) by pollinators to different grafted plants were monitored through an RFID (radio-frequency identification) tracking system, while targeted metabolites (hormones, sugars, and organic and amino acids) and mineral composition were analyzed in the fruit juice by UHPLC-MS and ICP-OES, respectively. Pollinator foraging decisions were influenced by the rootstocks genotype and salinity treatment. Experimental rootstocks predominantly increased pollinator attraction compared to the self-grafted variety. Interestingly, the pollinator parameters were positively associated with the concentration of abscisic acid, salicylic acid, malate and fumarate, and tyrosine in salinized fruits. Moreover, a high accumulation of sodium was detected in the fruits of the plants most visited by pollinators, while rootstock genotype-specific responses were found for nitrogen and potassium concentrations. In addition to the known effect on yield, these findings underscore the synergic interactions between rootstocks, pollinators, and environmental stressors on tomato fruit composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Farm to Table in the Era of a New Horticulture in Spain)
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14 pages, 2985 KiB  
Article
Effect of Biochar Amendment and Organic Fertilization on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L.)
by Pablo García Gómez, Diego A. Moreno, Encarna Conesa and María del Carmen Martínez Ballesta
Horticulturae 2024, 10(9), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10090910 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1147
Abstract
Organic fertilization is gaining importance as an alternative to chemical fertilization. However, the effects of organic products on crop quality need to be characterized, especially in biochar and derived products. Therefore, the effect of enriched biochar supplied with an organic fertilizer (biochar) on [...] Read more.
Organic fertilization is gaining importance as an alternative to chemical fertilization. However, the effects of organic products on crop quality need to be characterized, especially in biochar and derived products. Therefore, the effect of enriched biochar supplied with an organic fertilizer (biochar) on the yield and nutritional compounds of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. Scolymus) heads was analyzed and compared to inorganic conventional fertilization (control). For this purpose, the number of fruits and their weights were determined, along with the nutritional properties of artichoke heads, such as mineral content, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. The results showed that biochar increased crop yield, as registered by the higher number of marketable or commercial artichokes compared to the control. Additionally, biochar-treated plants exhibited significantly higher contents of Ca, Mg, and S in the artichoke heads, but they had a decreased content of Co, Cu, and Zn. The fatty acid content in the biochar-treated artichokes was also significantly higher, primarily due to the presence of palmitic acid. Conversely, the contents of phenolic compounds (e.g., flavonoids) were negatively and significantly affected by the application of biochar. In conclusion, the application of biochar as a soil amendment in combination with organic matter for growing artichokes in the semiarid Mediterranean area (e.g., Murcia Region) favored an increase in yield without compromising its nutritional composition. Further developments to establish protocols for the extended use of biochar in this agri-food production area are guaranteed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Farm to Table in the Era of a New Horticulture in Spain)
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17 pages, 2349 KiB  
Article
Wounding Citrus Peel By-Products as Abiotic Stress to Induce the Synthesis of Phenolic Compounds?
by Rosa Zapata, Lorena Martínez-Zamora, Marina Cano-Lamadrid and Francisco Artés-Hernández
Horticulturae 2024, 10(8), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080885 - 21 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1173
Abstract
Wounding stress stimulates secondary metabolism and induces the phytochemical accumulation of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. This research aims to study the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in citrus peel by-products after different wounding intensities. Orange, grapefruit, and lemon peels were cut into rectangular shapes [...] Read more.
Wounding stress stimulates secondary metabolism and induces the phytochemical accumulation of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. This research aims to study the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in citrus peel by-products after different wounding intensities. Orange, grapefruit, and lemon peels were cut into rectangular shapes of 8.5 × 2 cm (CTRL), 1 × 1 cm dices (D), and 0.25 cm grates (G). Samples were stored at 15 °C and 65% relative humidity. Their total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and individual organic and phenolic compounds were analyzed after 0, 4, 8, 24, 28, and 36 h. The results showed that the metabolite content decreased with the incubation time, so it is recommended to sample by-products between the first 8 h to achieve the maximum content. Grating, the most severe abiotic stress, was not a suitable technique to induce the synthesis of biocompounds because it allowed the full recovery of flavedo, but partial of albedo. However, it was different for CTRL and D, whose TPCs were ~170 and ~200%, ~98 and ~78%, and ~8 and ~36% higher for orange, grapefruit, and lemon, respectively, compared to G. A principal component analysis confirmed differences between the fruit species and cutting shapes combining all factors. Wounding citrus peels induces the accumulation of phytochemical compounds, but the layer of peel recovered in the cut is crucial in the concentration of phytochemicals extracted. It could be an innovative tool to revalorize these inedible parts of citrus, but further research is still needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Farm to Table in the Era of a New Horticulture in Spain)
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