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Horticulturae
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Advances in Soil and Plant Nutrient Management for Optimizing Horticultural...
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Advances in Soil and Plant Nutrient Management for Optimizing Horticultural Crop Yields and Soil Sustainability

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 5979

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Željko Dželetović

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: agrochemistry—investigations of soil fertility and mineral nutrition of plants; agriculture—investigations of methods, procedures of cultivation and use of biomass of second generation bioenergy crops
Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Simić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: crop production; crops for animal nutrition; silage maize; grass production; hay; fresh biomass; grazing; grass seed production; forage quality; forage utilization; forage seed production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Optimizing horticultural crop yields requires continuous work in improving nutrient management. Horticultural crops require many essential nutrients for optimum growth, yield, and quality (such as N, P, K, Mg, S, Ca, and microelements). 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. Therefore, nutrient management must be able to adapt to a number of variable parameters. On the other hand, the sustainable use of soil implies the preservation of its basic properties (e.g., fertility, structure, solum) during the cultivation of certain crops and the supply of crops with all nutrients. Significant progress has been made in soil and plant nutrient management in recent years. This Special Issue aims to review various innovative approaches to nutrient management, taking into account local specificities in achieving optimal yields and sustainable land use.

Dr. Željko Dželetović
Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Simić
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-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

  • horticultural crops
  • soil sustainability
  • plant nutrients
  • yield

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1724 KB  
Article
Calibration and Validation of VegSyst-CH Model to Manage Water and Nitrogen for Open-Field Lettuce in North China
by Bingrui Lian, Zhengdong Wu, Jungang Yang, Rodney Thompson and Marisa Gallardo
Horticulturae 2026, 12(2), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020251 - 20 Feb 2026
Viewed by 540
Abstract
In the cold and arid regions of northern China, efficient water and nitrogen (N) management is critical for the sustainable production of leafy vegetables. Simplified models that estimate crop N and water transpiration demands using simple inputs based on climate parameters become an [...] Read more.
In the cold and arid regions of northern China, efficient water and nitrogen (N) management is critical for the sustainable production of leafy vegetables. Simplified models that estimate crop N and water transpiration demands using simple inputs based on climate parameters become an important method for making precise suggestions on N and irrigation application at a regional scale. This study developed and validated a regionally adapted version of the VegSyst model, named VegSyst-CH, based on a multi-year open-field experiment from 2021 to 2023. Model parameters were calibrated using data from the 2021 growing season and validated with independent datasets from 2022 and 2023. A critical N concentration (CNC) curve was established to describe the relationship between biomass accumulation and N content. VegSyst-CH, with a radiation use efficiency of 1.94 g MJ−1, demonstrated high simulation accuracy for crop growth. The model showed a good predictive performance of N uptake under medium (N1) and high (N2) N treatments, with coefficients of determination (R2) above 0.80 across years and normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) values generally below 30%. The VegSyst-CH model also showed high accuracy in simulating crop evapotranspiration (ETc) over three consecutive growing seasons (2021–2023), with the dynamic trends of cumulative ETc closely aligning with measured values and the coefficients of determination (R2) consistently exceeding 0.90. These results validate the model’s robustness and applicability across different years. In conclusion, the VegSyst-CH model has strong spatiotemporal regulation capacity and climatic responsiveness, offering a robust decision support tool for precision fertilization and irrigation in open-field lettuce production in cold and arid regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil and Plant Nutrient Management for Optimizing Horticultural Crop Yields and Soil Sustainability)
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19 pages, 2158 KB  
Article
Effect of Nitrogen Application Timing on the Photosynthetic Traits and Essential Oil Yield of Cinnamomum camphora var. linalooliferum Coppice Stands
by Jie Ma, Jiao Zhao, Jie Zhang, Qingqing Liu, Lei Lei, Jiexi Hou and Changlong Xiao
Horticulturae 2026, 12(2), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020228 - 12 Feb 2026
Viewed by 429
Abstract
To investigate the effects of nitrogen application timing on photosynthetic traits and essential oil yield of Cinnamomum camphora var. linalooliferum coppice stands, an experiment was conducted with different nitrogen allocation ratios at coppicing, topdressing in June and August using a constant nitrogen amount [...] Read more.
To investigate the effects of nitrogen application timing on photosynthetic traits and essential oil yield of Cinnamomum camphora var. linalooliferum coppice stands, an experiment was conducted with different nitrogen allocation ratios at coppicing, topdressing in June and August using a constant nitrogen amount of 270 kg·ha−1. Plant growth, photosynthetic traits, and total above-ground essential oil yield were measured dynamically. Nitrogen application timing significantly affected photosynthetic performance, biomass accumulation, and essential oil yield (p < 0.05), showing clear stage-specific responses. It was found that early growth favored higher basal nitrogen fertilization, whereas middle-to-late growth benefited from increased topdressing. Principal component analysis revealed strong coordination among photosynthesis, growth traits, and essential oil yield, with N5 closely associated with high essential oil yield per plant (TEOyp), plant height (PH), leaf area index (LAI), relative chlorophyll value (SPAD), and biomass traits. Correlation analysis further confirmed the stage-specific regulatory effects of photosynthetic traits and plant growth on essential oil yield. Nitrogen fertilization at coppicing mainly enhanced photosynthetic efficiency to support essential oil formation, whereas topdressing promoted vegetative growth and biomass accumulation to exploit yield potential. These findings will provide theoretical support and practical guidance for efficient nitrogen management in high-yield cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil and Plant Nutrient Management for Optimizing Horticultural Crop Yields and Soil Sustainability)
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22 pages, 3322 KB  
Article
Predictive Modeling Study on the Critical Nitrogen Concentration and Accumulation in Cut Chrysanthemum Based on the Cumulative Photo-Thermal Effect
by Huahao Liu, Yin Wu, Jingshan Lu, Tingyu Gou, Shuang Zhao, Fadi Chen, Sumei Chen, Weimin Fang and Zhiyong Guan
Horticulturae 2025, 11(11), 1313; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11111313 - 1 Nov 2025
Viewed by 738
Abstract
Critical nitrogen concentration (Nc) and accumulation (Na) throughout the entire growth period are key indicators for diagnosing N status and implementing precision N management in cut chrysanthemum. However, direct measurement of these two parameters is both time-consuming and destructive, and establishing accurate predictive [...] Read more.
Critical nitrogen concentration (Nc) and accumulation (Na) throughout the entire growth period are key indicators for diagnosing N status and implementing precision N management in cut chrysanthemum. However, direct measurement of these two parameters is both time-consuming and destructive, and establishing accurate predictive models is fundamental to their practical application. From May 2021 to July 2022, five N-gradient experiments (ranging from 14 to 574 mgf·plant−1) were conducted on the cut chrysanthemum cultivar ‘Nannong Xiaojinxing’. Predictive models for Nc and Na were developed using environmental light and temperature data during growth as driving variables. The results showed that the aboveground dry matter (DM) prediction model, which utilized the cumulative photo-thermal effect (PTE) derived from these environmental factors, demonstrated superior accuracy compared to models relying on conventional driving variables. Subsequently, the Nc and Na prediction models were established with DM as the driving variable. These models indicated that at a DM level of 1 g·plant−1, Nc and Na values were 4.53% and 45.30 mg·plant−1, respectively. The Na reached a maximum of 236.50 mg·plant−1 at the flower harvesting stage, representing the minimum N accumulation required for optimal floral quality. Using the dry matter model as a process-based model, we successfully developed predictive models for Nc and Na driven by PTE. Validation using independent experimental data confirmed the models’ high predictive accuracy, with coefficients of determination of 0.9378 and 0.9612, and low errors—root mean square errors of 0.2736% and 19.18 mg·plant−1, and normalized RMSE of 10.79% and 14.94%, respectively. These models provide a foundation for implementing precision N management and reducing fertilizer application in cut chrysanthemum production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil and Plant Nutrient Management for Optimizing Horticultural Crop Yields and Soil Sustainability)
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18 pages, 1569 KB  
Article
Data-Driven Optimization of Substrate Composition for Lettuce in Soilless Cultivation
by Ziran Ye, Lupin Deng, Mengdi Dai, Yu Luo, Dedong Kong and Xiangfeng Tan
Horticulturae 2025, 11(10), 1153; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11101153 - 25 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1592
Abstract
Soilless cultivation has emerged as a sustainable solution for modern agriculture, yet substrate formulation is still often guided by empirical approaches, limiting efficiency and reproducibility. To address this gap, we established a data-driven framework for optimizing substrate composition in garden lettuce (Lactuca [...] Read more.
Soilless cultivation has emerged as a sustainable solution for modern agriculture, yet substrate formulation is still often guided by empirical approaches, limiting efficiency and reproducibility. To address this gap, we established a data-driven framework for optimizing substrate composition in garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivation. Using a randomized design, 200 substrate formulations were prepared from peat, vermiculite, and perlite, and their effects on plant growth were evaluated under controlled environmental conditions. Peat content reduced substrate porosity and water-holding capacity, whereas vermiculite increased both properties (linear regression, p < 0.05). Substrate formulations profoundly affected plant biomass, and the peat content was identified as a key predictor. Two rounds of substrate optimization resulted in a significant increase in shoot and root biomass and chlorophyll content, with increases of 57.5% (p = 9.2 × 10−8), 89.8% (p = 8.24 × 10−10), and 43.3% (p < 2 × 10−16), respectively, compared with the initial trial. Additionally, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and RGB imaging were employed for growth monitoring. Random forest machine-learning method identified several red-edge indices (NDVI705, mNDVI705, mSR705) as highly responsive predictors of substrate formulations, highlighting the potential of imaging traits as proxies for substrate optimization. This study provides a reproducible pathway for improving soilless substrate formulations, contributing to data-informed substrate design and advancing the practice of precision agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil and Plant Nutrient Management for Optimizing Horticultural Crop Yields and Soil Sustainability)
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18 pages, 1346 KB  
Article
Broccoli Cultivation Under Different Sources and Rates of Specialty Phosphorus Fertilizers in the Brazilian Cerrado
by Dinamar Márcia da Silva Vieira, Reginaldo de Camargo, Miguel Henrique Rosa Franco, Valdeci Orioli Júnior, Arcângelo Loss, Hamilton César de Oliveira Charlo, Fausto Antônio Domingos Júnior and José Luiz Rodrigues Torres
Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060631 - 4 Jun 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2049
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance and yield of broccoli grown under different sources and rates of specialty phosphorus (P) fertilizers in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design arranged in a split-plot scheme, testing [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance and yield of broccoli grown under different sources and rates of specialty phosphorus (P) fertilizers in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design arranged in a split-plot scheme, testing three P sources: (1) conventional monoammonium phosphate (CMP); (2) polymer-coated monoammonium phosphate (PCMP); and (3) organomineral fertilizer (Org). Four application rates were evaluated: 0 (no P applied), 50% (200 kg ha−1 of P2O5), 75% (300 kg ha−1 of P2O5), and 100% (400 kg ha−1 of P2O5) of the recommended phosphorus rate for broccoli, with four replications. The parameters assessed included plant nutritional status, soil fertility at harvest, number of leaves (NL), fresh head weight (FHW), dry head weight (DHW), and broccoli yield (YLD). In the first growing cycle, broccoli showed the highest NL (24), FHW (1.05 kg plant−1), DHW (0.27 kg plant−1), and YLD (18.81 Mg ha−1) values when PCMP was applied, which was 5, 25, 8 and 23% higher than Org and 20, 25, 14 and 34% higher than CMP. In the second cycle, broccoli showed higher values of NL (23), FHW (1.85 kg plant−1), DHW (0.26 kg plant−1), and YLD (33.01 Mg ha−1) where Org was applied, which was 4, 15, 8 and 5% higher than CMP and 2, 24, 4 and 14% higher than PCMP, respectively. All the variables evaluated showed the highest values at the 100% dose. Broccoli yield in the same area was 124%, 153%, and 115% higher in the second cycle compared to the first for CMP, PCMP, and Org, respectively. The greatest residual effect on soil fertility was observed in the area treated with the Org. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil and Plant Nutrient Management for Optimizing Horticultural Crop Yields and Soil Sustainability)
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