Special Issue "Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species in Horticultural and Ornamental Systems: Perspectives for Biodiversity, Nutraceuticals and Agricultural Sustainability"

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinals, Herbs, and Specialty Crops".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rosario Paolo Mauro
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Valdisavoia, 5 - 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: agronomic management in horticulture and floriculture; breeding of horticultural crops; crop physiology; vegetables quality; secondary metabolites
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Dr. Carlo Nicoletto
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell’Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
Interests: open field and protected cultivation; vegetables; aromatic plants; specialty crops; quality; antioxidants; functional foods; hydroponics; aquaponics; post-harvest
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Dr. Leo Sabatino
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 5, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: vegetable production; vegetable grafting; soilless cultivation; nutritional and nutraceutical vegetable fruit quality linked to cultivation condition and practices; biofortification of leafy and fruiting vegetable crops, propagation of ornamental plants
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce this Special Issue of Horticulturae, dedicated to the multifaceted topic of neglected and underutilized plant species (NUS) in horticultural and ornamental systems. Over the last few decades, this topic has received growing attention from the scientific community, as a possible option to face the agricultural challenges of producing more foods and services, within a framework of greater sustainability. Indeed, global urbanization processes, climate change, and the reduction of natural resources are expected to emphasize the vulnerability of mainstream agriculture, satisfying the needs of an ever-increasing world population by leveraging a restricted number of cash crops. In this context, NUS could promote agro-biodiversity, improve the resilience of the agro-ecosystems toward environmental stressors, foster the utilization of nutraceuticals and the diversification of dietary patterns, and provide important local services (environmental, economical, socio-cultural) as ornamentals or in landscapes. However, there are still manifold barriers hampering increased NUS utilization out of their niche role, many of which stem from our poor knowledge about their biological and technical features.

For the above reasons, this Special Issue will contribute to filling knowledge gaps about NUS in horticultural and ornamental systems, as well as in landscapes by encouraging the submission of original research papers, short communications, and review articles dealing with their relevance to the following:

  • Biodiversity and conservation
  • Genetics and breeding
  • Characterization, propagation, and ecophysiology
  • Cultivation techniques and systems
  • Landscape protection and restoration
  • Product and process innovations
  • Biochemistry and composition
  • Postharvest factors affecting their end-use quality

Papers concerning neglected or underutilized landraces within major horticultural/ornamental species are welcome too.

Dr. Rosario Paolo Mauro
Dr. Carlo Nicoletto
Dr. Leo Sabatino
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 papers will be 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 1400 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.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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Article
Ginkgo biloba Seeds—An Environmental Pollutant or a Functional Food
Horticulturae 2021, 7(8), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7080218 - 02 Aug 2021
Viewed by 277
Abstract
Ginkgo biloba has been cultivated in Bulgaria since the end of the 19th century. Ividual specimens can be seen in almost every park. Females of the tree are considered contaminants of the landscape because their ripe seeds have a strong odor and are [...] Read more.
Ginkgo biloba has been cultivated in Bulgaria since the end of the 19th century. Ividual specimens can be seen in almost every park. Females of the tree are considered contaminants of the landscape because their ripe seeds have a strong odor and are not utilized. We undertook this study to clarify whether ginkgo seeds of local origin can be converted from an unwanted and unused environmental pollutant into a source of beneficial compounds. Various analytical and chromatographic methods were used to quantify the major constituents and ten biologically active compounds in methanol seed extract. The results showed that the seeds are low in proteins (5%) and fats (1%); the seeds were also rich in unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. About 44% of nut starch was resistant to in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis. The amount of terpene trilactones in an aqueous-methanol seed extract was significantly higher than the number of flavonoids. Ginkgotoxin and ginkgolic acid were also found. The extract demonstrated weak antimicrobial activity against thirteen microorganisms. This study revealed that seeds of locally grown Ginkgo trees can be used as a source of biologically active substances. The chemical composition show similarity to those of seeds from other geographical areas. Full article
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Article
Productive and Morphometric Traits, Mineral Composition and Secondary Metabolome Components of Borage and Purslane as Underutilized Species for Microgreens Production
Horticulturae 2021, 7(8), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7080211 - 23 Jul 2021
Viewed by 418
Abstract
Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) offer largely unexplored opportunities for providing nutritious plant food, while making agro-ecosystems more diverse and resilient to climate change. The aim of this work was to explore the potential of two typical Mediterranean underutilized species, purslane and borage, [...] Read more.
Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) offer largely unexplored opportunities for providing nutritious plant food, while making agro-ecosystems more diverse and resilient to climate change. The aim of this work was to explore the potential of two typical Mediterranean underutilized species, purslane and borage, as novel vegetable product (microgreens). Micro-scale production of edible plants is spreading due to the simplicity of their management, rapid cycle, harvest index, and phytochemical value of the edible product. Microgreens, therefore, represent an opportunity to link NUS, nutrition, and agricultural and dietary diversification. By analyzing yield, antioxidants activities, mineral composition, and main phenolic acids and flavonoids, our work indicated that the two species provide interesting results when compared with those reported for crops and horticultural species. Specifically, purslane should be considered highly nutritional due to the amount of phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid, and to potential good β-carotene bioavailability. Borage microgreens have a very high fresh yield and a more composite and balanced phenolic profile. In conclusion, our work provided evidence for implementing new ways to expand the NUS market-chains and for developing added-value food products. Full article
Article
Impact of Salinity on the Growth and Chemical Composition of Two Underutilized Wild Edible Greens: Taraxacum officinale and Reichardia picroides
Horticulturae 2021, 7(7), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7070160 - 22 Jun 2021
Viewed by 493
Abstract
Soil salinization is one of the major environmental factors responsible for limited crop production throughout the world. Therefore, there is urgent need to find tolerant/resistant species to exploit in commercial cultivation systems. In this context, the valorization of wild edible greens for human [...] Read more.
Soil salinization is one of the major environmental factors responsible for limited crop production throughout the world. Therefore, there is urgent need to find tolerant/resistant species to exploit in commercial cultivation systems. In this context, the valorization of wild edible greens for human consumption and/or medicinal purposes is gaining more and more interest. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of salinity, e.g., electrical conductivity: 2 mS cm−1 (nutrient solution EC), 6 mS cm−1 and 10 mS cm−1 on plant growth and chemical composition of Reichardia picroides and Taraxacum officinale plants grown in a floating hydroponic system. The results showed that R. picroides is a moderately salt-tolerant species, as the majority of plant growth parameters determined were not negatively affected under the treatment of 6 mS cm−1. On the other hand, the growth parameters of T. officinale plants were severely affected under the same conditions. Moreover, high salinity levels (EC at 10 mS cm−1) impaired the growth of both species. The content of leaves in chlorophylls (a, b and total), carotenoids+xanthophylls and total soluble solids was not significantly affected by the tested EC levels in both species, whereas the titratable acidity increased under the treatment of 10 mS cm−1. Moreover, R. picroides exhibited a more effective adaptation mechanism against saline conditions than T. officinale, as evidenced by the higher accumulation of osmolytes such as proline and the higher shoot K content, probably through a more efficient K/Na selectivity. In conclusion, both species were severely affected by high salinity; however, R. picroides showed promising results regarding its commercial cultivation under moderate salinity levels, especially in regions where resources of high-quality irrigation water are limited. Full article
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Article
The Impact of Salt Stress on Plant Growth, Mineral Composition, and Antioxidant Activity in Tetragonia decumbens Mill.: An Underutilized Edible Halophyte in South Africa
Horticulturae 2021, 7(6), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7060140 - 07 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 687
Abstract
Climate change, expanding soil salinization, and the developing shortages of freshwater have negatively affected crop production around the world. Seawater and salinized lands represent potentially cultivable areas for edible salt-tolerant plants. In the present study, the effect of salinity stress on plant growth, [...] Read more.
Climate change, expanding soil salinization, and the developing shortages of freshwater have negatively affected crop production around the world. Seawater and salinized lands represent potentially cultivable areas for edible salt-tolerant plants. In the present study, the effect of salinity stress on plant growth, mineral composition (macro-and micro-nutrients), and antioxidant activity in dune spinach (Tetragonia decumbens) were evaluated. The treatments consisted of three salt concentrations, 50, 100, and 200 mM, produced by adding NaCl to the nutrient solution. The control treatment had no NaCl but was sustained and irrigated by the nutrient solution. Results revealed a significant increase in total yield, branch production, and ferric reducing antioxidant power in plants irrigated with nutrient solution incorporated with 50 mM NaCl. Conversely, an increased level of salinity (200 mM) caused a decrease in chlorophyll content (SPAD), while the phenolic content, as well as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sodium, increased. The results of this study indicate that there is potential for brackish water cultivation of dune spinach for consumption, especially in provinces experiencing the adverse effect of drought and salinity, where seawater or underground saline water could be diluted and used as irrigation water in the production of this vegetable. Full article
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Article
Genetic Diversity and Population Differentiation of Pinus koraiensis in China
Horticulturae 2021, 7(5), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7050104 - 09 May 2021
Viewed by 498
Abstract
Pinus koraiensis is a well-known precious tree species in East Asia with high economic, ornamental and ecological value. More than fifty percent of the P. koraiensis forests in the world are distributed in northeast China, a region with abundant germplasm resources. However, these [...] Read more.
Pinus koraiensis is a well-known precious tree species in East Asia with high economic, ornamental and ecological value. More than fifty percent of the P. koraiensis forests in the world are distributed in northeast China, a region with abundant germplasm resources. However, these natural P. koraiensis sources are in danger of genetic erosion caused by continuous climate changes, natural disturbances such as wildfire and frequent human activity. Little work has been conducted on the population genetic structure and genetic differentiation of P. koraiensis in China because of the lack of genetic information. In this study, 480 P. koraiensis individuals from 16 natural populations were sampled and genotyped. Fifteen polymorphic expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers were used to evaluate genetic diversity, population structure and differentiation in P. koraiensis. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of the EST-SSR marker data showed that 33% of the total genetic variation was among populations and 67% was within populations. A high level of genetic diversity was found across the P. koraiensis populations, and the highest levels of genetic diversity were found in HH, ZH, LS and TL populations. Moreover, pairwise Fst values revealed significant genetic differentiation among populations (mean Fst = 0.177). According to the results of the STRUCTURE and Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree analyses and principal component analysis (PCA), the studied geographical populations cluster into two genetic clusters: cluster 1 from Xiaoxinganling Mountains and cluster 2 from Changbaishan Mountains. These results are consistent with the geographical distributions of the populations. The results provide new genetic information for future genome-wide association studies (GWAS), marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) in natural P. koraiensis breeding programs and can aid the development of conservation and management strategies for this valuable conifer species. Full article
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Review

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Review
Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species (NUS) from the Apulia Region Worthy of Being Rescued and Re-Included in Daily Diet
Horticulturae 2021, 7(7), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7070177 - 03 Jul 2021
Viewed by 468
Abstract
Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are cultivated, semi-domesticated, or wild plant species, not included in the group of the major staple crops, since, in most cases, they do not meet the global market requirements. As they often represent resilient species and valuable sources [...] Read more.
Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) are cultivated, semi-domesticated, or wild plant species, not included in the group of the major staple crops, since, in most cases, they do not meet the global market requirements. As they often represent resilient species and valuable sources of vitamins, micronutrients, and other phytochemicals, a wider use of NUS would enhance sustainability of agro-systems and a choice of nutritious foods with a strategic role for addressing the nutritional security challenge across Europe. In this review, we focused on some examples of NUS from the Apulia Region (Southern Italy), either cultivated or spontaneously growing species, showing interesting adaptative, nutritional, and economical potential that can be exploited and properly enhanced in future programs. Full article
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Review
Solanum aethiopicum: The Nutrient-Rich Vegetable Crop with Great Economic, Genetic Biodiversity and Pharmaceutical Potential
Horticulturae 2021, 7(6), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7060126 - 28 May 2021
Viewed by 612
Abstract
Solanum aethiopicum is a very important vegetable for both rural and urban communities in Africa. The crop is rich in both macro- and micronutrients compared with other vegetables and is suitable for ensuring food and nutritional security. It also possesses several medicinal [...] Read more.
Solanum aethiopicum is a very important vegetable for both rural and urban communities in Africa. The crop is rich in both macro- and micronutrients compared with other vegetables and is suitable for ensuring food and nutritional security. It also possesses several medicinal properties and is currently employed in the treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes, cholera, uterine complaints as well as skin infections in humans. The crop is predominantly cultivated by traditional farmers and plays an important role in the subsistence and economy of poor farmers and consumers throughout the developing world. It also holds potential for dietary diversification, greater genetic biodiversity and sustainable production in Africa. Despite the numerous benefits the crop presents, it remains neglected and underutilized due to the world’s over-dependence on a few plant species, as well as the little attention in research and development it has received over the years. This review highlights the importance of S. aethiopicum, its role in crop diversification, reducing hidden hunger, the potential for nutritive and medicinal benefits, agricultural sustainability and future thrusts for breeding and genetic improvement of the plant species. Full article
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