Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.5
3.1
Journals
Horticulturae
Special Issues
Rethinking Horticulture to Meet Sustainable Development Goals
share announcement

Rethinking Horticulture to Meet Sustainable Development Goals

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape, and Turf".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 11442

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mirjana Ljubojevic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of fruit growing, viticulture, horticulture and landscape architecture, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: breeding; invasive alien species; green solutions; fruit species; rootstock breeding; genetic resources; abiotic stress; biotic stress; urban gardening; food safety; fruit production; sustainable practices; circular economy; urban green; hydrogel
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tijana Narandžić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: plant breeding; sustainable fruit growing; cherry; rootstocks; sustainable landscaping; urban horticulture; food safety; urban spaces

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Contemporary settlements struggle with numerous environmental issues, affecting the life of both rural and urban populations. As a discipline that studies the growth, cultivation and utilization of countless plant species characterized by different traits of interest to growers, horticulture offers a multifaceted approach to solving the challenges of the 21st century, including devastating urbanization trends, climate change and loss of species and green surfaces. The number of studies on genetic, physiological, biochemical and botanical aspects of plant functioning and development in an unpredictable, changing environment affected by numerous biotic and abiotic stressors is constantly increasing. The research goals have recently shifted toward the sustainable usage of plant genetic resources enabling biodiversity conservation and provision of valuable ecosystem services which greenery provides, as well as soil and water preservation. The sustainable concept of horticulture further encompasses eco-friendly practices and nature-based solutions, including greenery-derived biodiesel, biopesticide, biowaste and biomass production, design of rain gardens, green roofs, green walls, constructed wetlands, water ponds, bioswales and permeable surfaces, thus offering valuable possibilities in the planning of urban environments and shaping the landscapes of the future. Plant selection and breeding strategies enable the sustainable food production and design of edible urban gardens, supporting community involvement in environmental preservation and development.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, set 17 Sustainable Development Goals aiming to ensure a more resilient and sustainable world for all people. This Special Issue aims to explore the latest findings related to the horticultural research which empower the completion of sustainable development goals, providing insights into the innovative, environmentally sound and cost-effective horticultural practices.

The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Plant genetics and genomics;
  • Plant morphology, anatomy and physiology;
  • Plant breeding;
  • Phytopatology and sustainable pest and disease management;
  • Sustainable plant cultivation/agriculture;
  • Urban horticulture and design of urban gardens;
  • Impact of urban horticulture on community development;
  • Circular economy and food production;
  • Food systems and food safety;
  • Sustainable horticultural waste management;
  • Bioenergy, biofuels and biomass production;
  • Ecosystem service improvement;
  • Plant genetic resources and biodiversity conservation;
  • Horticultural practice development and climate change mitigation;
  • Impact of horticultural practices on the environment and society;
  • Sustainable landscape architecture;
  • Informal/alternative urban spaces;
  • Urban greenery improvement and management.

Dr. Mirjana Ljubojevic
Dr. Tijana Narandžić
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

  • circular economy
  • climate change
  • edible landscaping
  • food safety
  • nature-based solutions
  • organic agriculture
  • permaculture
  • plant breeding
  • sustainable cities
  • sustainable development goals
  • sustainable food production
  • sustainable landscape design
  • sustainable plant protection
  • urban horticulture
  • zero-waste management

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.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 952 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Biomass and Carbon Storage of Tree Species in Zhengzhou, a Megacity in China
by Jing He, Qike Ding, Qiupeng Yuan, Shanshan Jin, Dongfeng Yan and Zhi Li
Horticulturae 2025, 11(5), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11050500 - 6 May 2025
Viewed by 150
Abstract
Urban trees play a dual role in enhancing landscape aesthetics and contributing to carbon sequestration. This study evaluated the biomass and carbon storage of eight common urban tree species in Zhengzhou, China, using organ-specific measurements and allometric growth models. The results revealed that [...] Read more.
Urban trees play a dual role in enhancing landscape aesthetics and contributing to carbon sequestration. This study evaluated the biomass and carbon storage of eight common urban tree species in Zhengzhou, China, using organ-specific measurements and allometric growth models. The results revealed that biomass and carbon were primarily allocated to the trunk, followed by the roots, branches, and leaves; these results are consistent with previous findings. Acer buergerianum Miq. and Magnolia grandiflora L. demonstrated the highest per-tree carbon storage, while Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott and Salix babylonica L. performed better in carbon storage per unit area. These patterns are linked to variations in species morphology, growth performance, and planting density. The study provides evidence-based recommendations for optimizing urban tree species selection to enhance carbon sink capacity. Future applications include integrating these results into urban planning strategies and long-term carbon monitoring systems, thereby contributing to low-carbon city development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Horticulture to Meet Sustainable Development Goals)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 11864 KiB  
Article
Circular Pear Production Using Compost Fertilization: Influence on Tree Growth and Nitrogen Leaf Concentration
by Ana Cornelia Butcaru, Cosmin Alexandru Mihai, Andrei Moț, Ruxandra Gogoț, Dorel Hoza and Florin Stănică
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111209 - 16 Nov 2024
Viewed by 777
Abstract
The circular economy with compost fertilization is included in the sustainable orchard paradigm, creating a holistic production ecosystem. Modern orchards are mostly intensive and super-intensive, requiring different rootstocks. This research presents the response to compost fertilization of two specific pear rootstocks (quince ‘CTS [...] Read more.
The circular economy with compost fertilization is included in the sustainable orchard paradigm, creating a holistic production ecosystem. Modern orchards are mostly intensive and super-intensive, requiring different rootstocks. This research presents the response to compost fertilization of two specific pear rootstocks (quince ‘CTS 212’ and ‘Farold® 40’) and own-rooted trees, analyzing six resistant cultivars in a circular production system. The dynamic of nitrogen and carbon concentration in leaves, soil respiration coefficient, the evolution of the fruit maturity stage in the field, and some biometric parameters such as trunk cross-section area, the annual vegetative growth, and fruiting shoots annual number were analyzed. The results highlighted that compost fertilization led to increased leaf nitrogen concentration over the first two years while carbon concentration remained relatively stable. Rootstock and compost fertilization influenced the fruit maturity dynamic, but a single pattern was not identified. Quince, as pear rootstock, expressed a higher sensitivity to compost application; the biometric parameters, such as trunk cross-section area, and almost all cultivars’ annual vegetative growth were higher than the controls’. Positive output can lead to future model upscaling in farms and households. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Horticulture to Meet Sustainable Development Goals)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2435 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Growing Conditions on the Shelf Life and Storage Rot of cv. Rubin Apples
by Kristina Laužikė, Ieva Gudžinskaitė, Lina Dėnė and Giedrė Samuolienė
Horticulturae 2024, 10(10), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10101064 - 4 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1336
Abstract
The prevalence of apples as the most widely consumed fruit globally does not exempt them from storage-related issues, resulting in substantial harvest losses. A prominent concern is the development of rot due to various factors during storage. This research endeavors to examine the [...] Read more.
The prevalence of apples as the most widely consumed fruit globally does not exempt them from storage-related issues, resulting in substantial harvest losses. A prominent concern is the development of rot due to various factors during storage. This research endeavors to examine the influence of agrotechnological methods on the longevity of apples and the incidence of rot throughout storage. Apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Rubin) grafted on dwarfing rootstocks P60 were planted in 2010 in single rows with a spacing of 1.25 m between trees and 3.5 m between rows. Eight combinations of different growth control measures (manual, mechanical pruning, spraying, trunk cutting) were selected for the experiment. The implementation of mechanical pruning, in conjunction with trunk cutting and Ca-prohexadione spraying, as well as summer pruning, detrimentally impacted the shelf life of apples. Examination of the storage period revealed a loss of 33–40% of the crop due to rot. Conversely, manual pruning sustained a consistent level of phenolic compounds throughout the storage period. Other pruning methods resulted in a notable increase in phenolic compounds, ranging from 67% to a two-fold rise compared to the compounds present at harvest. However, the integration of mechanical pruning with subsequent manual pruning not only significantly augmented the yield of apples but also yielded a shelf life akin to that of manually pruned apples. Following the analysis of the results, it is advisable to conduct mechanical pruning of the apples intended for storage along with supplementary manual pruning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Horticulture to Meet Sustainable Development Goals)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3696 KiB  
Article
Harnessing Koelreuteria paniculata Seed Extracts and Oil for Sustainable Woolly Apple Aphid Control
by Veljko Šarac, Tijana Narandžić, Vesna Rodić, Boris M. Popović, Denis Uka, Mirela Tomaš Simin and Mirjana Ljubojević
Horticulturae 2024, 10(8), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080826 - 4 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1467
Abstract
The woolly apple aphid—WAA (Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann, 1802) poses a significant threat to intensive apple production. Given the limitations of conventional synthetic pesticides, there is an urgent need for effective and sustainable pest management strategies. Botanical extracts derived from plants with insecticidal [...] Read more.
The woolly apple aphid—WAA (Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann, 1802) poses a significant threat to intensive apple production. Given the limitations of conventional synthetic pesticides, there is an urgent need for effective and sustainable pest management strategies. Botanical extracts derived from plants with insecticidal properties mitigating aphid populations without adverse environmental impacts are scarce where WAA is concerned. Thus, the pertinent study aimed to investigate the aphicidal potential of Koelreuteria paniculata seed ethanolic extract (derived from the seed coat) and mechanically extracted oil (derived from the seed itself). At concentrations of 2.5% and 5%, both solutions expressed undeniable insecticidal potential, providing absolute (100%; oil) or significant (86–100%; ethanolic extract) mortality rates both in vivo and in vitro. Predominant phenolic compounds determined in the ethanolic extract were gallic and protocatechuic acids and three derivates—p-coumaric, quercetin, and luteolin acid derivates—contributing to more than 90% of the total phenolic content, while phenolic compounds were not detected in the oil, indicating activity of different active compounds. Although deriving from different seed parts and distinct extraction methods, both ethanolic extract and oil exhibited significant aphicidal effects against WAA. The integration of botanical extracts from invasive species into pest management practices supports ecological balance and sustainable agricultural productivity, fostering a healthier environment and more resilient agricultural systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Horticulture to Meet Sustainable Development Goals)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 236 KiB  
Article
Exploring Community Garden Coordinators’ Perceptions of Climate-Smart Adaptations to Support Local Food Systems
by Olivia M. Erskine, Alexa J. Lamm, Catherine E. Sanders and Kevan W. Lamm
Horticulturae 2024, 10(6), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10060601 - 7 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1722
Abstract
Extreme weather events, increased intensity of droughts and floods, and changes to growing seasons are results of climate change that impact horticulture, agriculture, and food systems. In the United States, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina experience similar impacts caused by climate change [...] Read more.
Extreme weather events, increased intensity of droughts and floods, and changes to growing seasons are results of climate change that impact horticulture, agriculture, and food systems. In the United States, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina experience similar impacts caused by climate change such as rising sea levels and extreme heat. In these states, community gardens can be a source of local, fresh foods, especially in areas experiencing food insecurity. The goals of this study were to identify garden coordinators’ perceptions of the need for climate change adaptation, perceptions regarding the five perceived attributes of climate change adaptation, and where community garden coordinators stand in the innovation–decision process when it comes to climate change adaptation. The findings show that participants valued relative advantage and low levels of complexity when adopting and implementing climate-smart practices into their gardens. This study found that the community gardens were all implementing some form of climate-smart adaptations even if implementation was not for climate-related reasons. All participants noted that the largest barrier to adopting new practices was a lack of extra money. The findings from this study should be used to inform environmental education and communication strategies that encourage adoption of climate-smart practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Horticulture to Meet Sustainable Development Goals)
26 pages, 6996 KiB  
Article
Contamination and Spatial Distribution of Metal(loid)s in the Stream Sediment near the Greenhouse
by Sung-Wook Yun and Jinkwan Son
Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040312 - 22 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1264
Abstract
As greenhouse horticulture continues to increase in South Korea, the effects of metal(loid)s from wastewater discharges on stream sediments were analyzed. A total of 106 samples were analyzed for cadmium (Cd), boron (B), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), [...] Read more.
As greenhouse horticulture continues to increase in South Korea, the effects of metal(loid)s from wastewater discharges on stream sediments were analyzed. A total of 106 samples were analyzed for cadmium (Cd), boron (B), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). The coefficient of variation (CV) of the metal(loid)s components was 96.58% for Mn, 93.40 for Zn, 62.47 for B, 58.90 for Pb, and 58.14 for Cd, suggesting anthropogenic sources. Correlation analysis suggested a cumulative source for Cd-Zn and B, and cluster analysis suggested an anthropogenic source for Cu, Pb, B, and Mn. The contamination factor (CF) suggested the need to trace the source of contamination to Pb (3.21 ± 1.89) and B (1.33 ± 0.83) and EF to Pb (3.30 ± 1.81) and B (1.44 ± 0.94). The analytical results identify anthropogenic sources of Pb, B, and Cd. The high contamination of Cd suggests the influence of mining areas, and Pb suggests the influence of traffic, fertilizers, pesticides, and fossil fuels in greenhouses, in addition to the influence of mines. B confirmed the impact of the facility’s vegetable wastewater and suggested the need to further examine the cumulative impact of Mn, Fe, etc. By utilizing the facility horticulture wastewater for ecological restoration and other agricultural uses, we aim to prevent stream sediment pollution and realize a sustainable agricultural environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Horticulture to Meet Sustainable Development Goals)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

9 pages, 1343 KiB  
Review
Use of Corn Steep Liquor as a Biostimulant in Agriculture
by Francisco Garcia-Sanchez, Jose M. Camara-Zapata and Iván Navarro-Morillo
Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040315 - 25 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3330
Abstract
Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that are applied to plants, soil, or seeds, to improve the growth, development, performance, and quality of crops. Their application is mainly directed towards improving the resistance of crops against abiotic and biotic stresses. These compounds are formulated [...] Read more.
Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that are applied to plants, soil, or seeds, to improve the growth, development, performance, and quality of crops. Their application is mainly directed towards improving the resistance of crops against abiotic and biotic stresses. These compounds are formulated from a great variety of compounds: humic substances, complex organic materials (sewage sludge extracts, composts, and manure), chemical elements (Al, Co, Na, Se, and Si), inorganic salts including phosphite, seaweed extracts (brown, red, and green), amino acids, etc. As of today, it has been observed that corn steep liquor (CSL), which is obtained from the industrial process of corn transformation, may be a good ingredient for the formulation of biostimulant products. CSL contains a large amount of different chemical compounds with biological activity for the plants and soil. The use of CSL industrial waste, previously formulated, could have a direct or indirect effect on the physiological processes and metabolic routes of plants related to the adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses, as their compounds are part of these metabolic pathways, act as elicitor compounds, and/or have their own biological activity in the plants. There is evidence that the application of CSL could protect plants from specific abiotic and biotic stresses, such as an excess of light or temperature, nutritional limitations, salinity, drought, or pathogens. In addition, it can improve the growth of the plant when these are grown in hydroponic systems, and can improve the health of soils. The present article is focused on describing the most relevant scientific aspects of CSL when used as an ingredient to formulate biostimulants for agriculture. It will discuss its chemical composition, the analytical techniques utilized to elucidate and quantify its compounds, its uses in agriculture, and mode of action in the plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Horticulture to Meet Sustainable Development Goals)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop