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Horticulturae
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Strategies to Increase Horticultural Crop Production for a Sustainable Future...
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Strategies to Increase Horticultural Crop Production for a Sustainable Future World

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 6743

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marcelo Francisco Pompelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Agronomy, University of Córdoba, Montería, Córboda 230002, Colombia
Interests: plant stresses; metabolome; plant anatomy; seed germination; leaf area estimation; bioenergy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Georgios Koubouris

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Olive Cultivation Lab, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, 73134 Chania, Greece
Interests: climate change; agricultural sustainability; circular economy; soil, water and biodiversity conservation; remote sensing; plant breeding; ecosystem services; olive growing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the years, the agricultural and special horticulture landscape has undergone considerable changes, and the need for sustainable and efficient farming practices has never been more pressing. In light of this, I would like to propose several strategies that, when implemented thoughtfully, can contribute to a substantial boost in crop production within the new world.

Strategies to improve horticultural species: Strategies to enhance horticultural species involve techniques such as selective breeding for desirable traits, the application of advanced biotechnology, proper crop management practices, sustainable farming methods, and ongoing research and collaboration within the horticultural community. These approaches aim to improve the quality, yield, and resilience of cultivated plants, ultimately benefiting agriculture and horticulture industries.

Tissue culture as tool to produce clonal plants of interest: Tissue culture has emerged as an invaluable tool for the efficient production of clonal plants, captivating the interest of scientists and horticulturists alike. This groundbreaking technique allows for the propagation of plants from a single cell or tissue, ensuring genetic uniformity and the preservation of desirable traits. With tissue culture, we can multiply rare and endangered species, enhance agricultural yields, and create disease-resistant varieties. This is a promising avenue for sustainable agriculture and conservation, revolutionizing the way we cultivate and protect our botanical treasures.

Biofertilizers and biopathogen control in horticultural science: Biofertilizers and biopathogen control are pivotal components of modern horticultural science. Biofertilizers, consisting of beneficial microorganisms such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi enhance soil fertility, nutrient uptake, and plant growth while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. They promote sustainable agriculture and minimize environmental impacts. On the other hand, biopathogen control relies on the use of beneficial microorganisms, such as biopesticides and biofungicides, to combat plant diseases and pests. These biocontrol agents offer an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, safeguarding crop health and minimizing residues in horticultural products. The integration of biofertilizers and biopathogen control strategies in horticulture not only enhances crop quality and yield but also contributes to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices.

Precision agriculture: The integration of advanced technologies such as drones, GPS-guided machinery, and data analytics can enable farmers to make data-driven decisions. This ensures the precise application of resources such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides, minimizing waste and maximizing yields.

Crop rotation and diversification: Promoting crop rotation and diversification can reduce the risk of soil depletion and pest infestations. By alternating crops seasonally and introducing new species, we can maintain soil fertility and reduce the reliance on chemical inputs.

Improved irrigation systems: Access to water remains a critical factor in crop production. Modernizing irrigation systems using efficient methods such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting can facilitate the optimization of water usage, especially in regions prone to drought.

Climate-resilient crop varieties: Developing and adopting crop varieties that are more resilient to changing climatic conditions can mitigate the impact of extreme weather events and ensure a stable food supply.

Enhanced soil management: Implementing practices such as no-till farming and organic matter incorporation can improve soil health and increase its capacity to retain water and nutrients.

Education and training: Providing farmers with training and knowledge on the latest agricultural practices and technologies is crucial for successful implementation.

Access to financial resources: Ensuring that farmers have access to affordable credit and financial resources can enable them to invest in modernization and expansion.

Government support and policies: Collaboration with government bodies can lead to the formulation and and enforcement of policies that promote sustainable agriculture and incentivize the adoption of advanced practices. I believe that by focusing on these strategies, we can make significant strides toward increasing crop production in the new world while also promoting environmental sustainability. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these strategies further and explore potential partnerships to bring them to fruition.

Dr. Marcelo Francisco Pompelli
Dr. Georgios Koubouris
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

  • horticultural
  • crops
  • food security
  • food
  • automation
  • artificial intelligence
  • pests control
  • biological control of pest and diseases

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 728 KiB  
Article
Arsenic Uptake and Distribution in Green Pea Plants Under Arsenite and Arsenate Treatments
by Szilvia Várallyay, Éva Bódi, Andrea Balla Kovács, Áron Soós, Shaikh Ayaz Mukarram and Béla Kovács
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1127; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111127 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 579
Abstract
Soil arsenic (As) contamination is a global issue affecting regions worldwide. As in the soil is primarily present in inorganic forms, such as arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)]. As is a microelement that is toxic to plants grown in As-contaminated soil. The aim [...] Read more.
Soil arsenic (As) contamination is a global issue affecting regions worldwide. As in the soil is primarily present in inorganic forms, such as arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)]. As is a microelement that is toxic to plants grown in As-contaminated soil. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of increasing concentrations (0, 3, 10, 30, 90, and 270 mg kg−1) of As(III) and As(V) on the As content in green pea (Pisum sativum L.) and the distribution of As among different plant parts at four phenophases (the four-node stage, beginning of flowering, green ripening, and mature stage). Another aim was to determine the percentage of total soil As available to plants under different treatments. The results indicate that the developmental stage of the pea and treatment concentration significantly influence the distribution of As among plant organs. However, the differences between the effect of inorganic As forms were less pronounced. The amount of As absorbed by the whole test plant increased with higher treatment concentrations. In the case of As(III)-treatment, As amount in the whole plant increased from 0.170 µg to 7.31 µg (I. Phenophase); from 0.294 µg to 10.1 µg (II. Phenophase); from 0.435 µg to 31.6 µg (III. Phenophase); and from 0.697 µg to 36.1 µg (IV. Phenophase). As a result of As(V)-treatment, the whole plant’s As content increased from 0.170 µg to 8.94 µg (I. Phenophase); from 0.294 µg to 17.4 µg (II. Phenophase); from 0.435 µg to 29.7 µg (III. Phenophase); and from 0.697 µg to 58.5 µg (IV. Phenophase). The concentration of As accumulated by the plant also increased over time. The proportion of As absorbed by generative parts was much smaller than that absorbed by vegetative organs. The pea seeds generally accumulated less As (maximum 7%) than the pea pods (in some cases, this reached the 10%). As the total amount of As taken up by the plant increased, the proportion of As reaching the seeds generally decreased (from 5% to 0.3% in the case of As[III]-treatment, and from 5% to 0.1% in the case of As[V]-treatment). At treatment levels where the ability of the stem to retain As increased, a maximum of 1% of the total As absorbed by the plant was found in the seeds. Depending on the treatment, 3.82–5.69% [As(V)-treatments] and 3.9–6.07% [As(III)-treatments] of the total soil As were available to the plants. The difference in the ratio of the total As content to the soluble As content was more evident at higher treatment levels (≥30 mg kg−1). This value was typically lower for the As(V)-treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Increase Horticultural Crop Production for a Sustainable Future World)
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12 pages, 923 KiB  
Article
Application of Plant Growth Regulators Mitigates Water Stress in Basil
by Dayane Mércia Ribeiro Silva, Isabelly Cristina da Silva Marques, Beatriz Lívero Carvalho, Eduardo Santana Aires, Francisco Gilvan Borges Ferreira Freitas Júnior, Fernanda Nery Vargens, Vinicius Alexandre Ávila dos Santos, João Henrique Silva da Luz, José Wilker Germano de Souza, Wesley de Oliveira Galdino, Jadielson Inácio de Sousa, Alan Fontes Melo, Ricardo Barros Silva, Luana do Nascimento Silva Barbosa, José Vieira Silva, Valdevan Rosendo dos Santos, Maria Gleide Jane Lima de Góis, Sivaldo Soares Paulino, Elizabeth Orika Ono and João Domingos Rodrigues
Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070729 - 11 Jul 2024
Viewed by 747
Abstract
Abiotic stresses, such as water limitation, are significant limiting factors in basil production. One alternative to mitigate the harmful effects of this stress on plants is using plant growth regulators. This study’s objective is to evaluate different doses of plant regulators in basil [...] Read more.
Abiotic stresses, such as water limitation, are significant limiting factors in basil production. One alternative to mitigate the harmful effects of this stress on plants is using plant growth regulators. This study’s objective is to evaluate different doses of plant regulators in basil under water deficiency conditions. A randomized block experimental design in a factorial scheme with two factors was used: the first factor referred to the water regimes of 50% and 100% stomatal conductance, the second to different doses of the plant regulator mixture: 0 mL L−1 (control), 3 mL L−1, 6 mL L−1, 9 mL L−1, and 12 mL L−1. Each treatment consisted of 12 pots per repetition. Biometric parameters, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and gas exchange were analyzed. The plant regulator positively influenced basil plants under water deficiency, with the most pronounced effects observed at the 12 mL L−1 dose: a 17% increase in the number of leaves, a fourfold increase in CO2 assimilation and carboxylation efficiency, and a sevenfold increase in water use efficiency. Therefore, the application of plant regulators on basil is recommended to mitigate the negative effects of water stress, with the most significant results observed at a dose of 12 mL L−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Increase Horticultural Crop Production for a Sustainable Future World)
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16 pages, 3635 KiB  
Article
Micropropagation Protocols for Three Elite Genotypes of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
by Luis Alfonso Rodriguéz-Páez, Yirlis Yadeth Pineda-Rodriguez, Marcelo F. Pompelli, Ana Melisa Jimenez-Ramirez, Osmin José Genes-Avilez, Juan de Dios Jaraba-Navas, Alfredo Jarma-Orozco, Enrique Combatt-Caballero, Luis Eliécer Oviedo Zumaqué, Isidro Elias Suarez-Padron, Maria Ileana Oloriz-Ortega and Novisel Veitía Rodríguez
Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040404 - 16 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1741
Abstract
The Stevia rebaudiana Germplasm Bank at the University of Cordoba, Colombia, plays a pivotal role in conserving and efficiently utilizing the genetic variability of this species. Despite safeguarding promising genotypes with valuable traits, such as late flowering or a significant diterpenoid glycoside content, [...] Read more.
The Stevia rebaudiana Germplasm Bank at the University of Cordoba, Colombia, plays a pivotal role in conserving and efficiently utilizing the genetic variability of this species. Despite safeguarding promising genotypes with valuable traits, such as late flowering or a significant diterpenoid glycoside content, there is a need for an efficient mass propagation protocol for elite genotypes. This study aims to develop efficient in vitro micropropagation protocols for three elite S. rebaudiana genotypes (L020, L102, and Morita II). The methods employed various combinations of cytokinins and auxins following organogenesis protocols. The results showed that optimal shoot multiplication (17.3 shoots per explant) for L020 was achieved when cultures were grown on a basal medium MS supplemented with 1 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). For L102, optimal shoot multiplication (18.5 shoots per explant) was achieved in MS supplemented with 1 μM BAP and 0.5 μM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), while for Morita II, the best treatment was an MS supplemented with 2 μM BAP and 0.5 μM NAA, producing 16.4 shoots per explant. This study successfully achieved micropropagation for promising S. rebaudiana genotypes, highlighting the significant impact of genotype on tissue culture, particularly in shoot multiplication. Developing a successful micropropagation system is crucial for the conservation and improvement of S. rebaudiana, with significant implications for its future use and performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Increase Horticultural Crop Production for a Sustainable Future World)
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Review

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20 pages, 5215 KiB  
Review
Strategies for Achieving High and Sustainable Plant Productivity in Saline Soil Conditions
by Zhadyrassyn Nurbekova, Mereke Satkanov, Moldir Beisekova, Alua Akbassova, Rimma Ualiyeva, Junfang Cui, Yangwu Chen, Zhaoqi Wang and Sayan Zhangazin
Horticulturae 2024, 10(8), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080878 - 20 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1973
Abstract
The accumulation of salt in arable lands is a source of significant abiotic stress, contributing to a 10% decline in the world’s total arable lands and threatening food productivity and the sustainability of agriculture. About 76 million hectares of productive land are estimated [...] Read more.
The accumulation of salt in arable lands is a source of significant abiotic stress, contributing to a 10% decline in the world’s total arable lands and threatening food productivity and the sustainability of agriculture. About 76 million hectares of productive land are estimated to have been affected by human-induced salinization such as extreme salt deposits in soil, which are mainly caused by the actions of humans. For instance, continued irrigation and the frequent use of chemical fertilizers need to be understood. To ensure food availability, it is essential to improve upon traditional farming methods using current technologies to facilitate the reclamation of saline-affected arable lands to achieve high and sustainable food production. This review details current innovative strategies such as the modification of metabolic pathways, manipulation of antioxidant pathways, genetic engineering, RNA interference technology, engineered nanoparticles, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), organic amendments, and trace elements for improving saline marginal lands. These strategies were identified to have contributed to the improvement of plants salinity tolerance in diverse ways. For instance, the accumulation of plant metabolites such as amino acids, sugars, polyols, organic acids, saponins, anthocyanins, polyphenols, and tannins detoxify plants and play crucial roles in mitigating the detrimental effects of oxidative damage posed by salinity stress. Multiple plant miRNAs encoding the up- and down-regulation of single- and multi-ion transporters have been engineered in plant species to enhance salt tolerance. Nanomaterials and plant root system colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal increase water uptake, photosynthetic efficiency, and biomass allocation in plants exposed to saline stress by excluding 65 percent of the Na+ uptake and enhancing K+ uptake by 84.21 percent. Organic amendments and trace elements reduced salinity concentrations by 22 percent and improved growth by up to 84 percent in maize subjected to salinity stress. This study also discusses how researchers can use these strategies to improve plants growth, development, and survival in saline soil conditions to enhance the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. The strategies discussed in this study have also proven to be promising approaches for developing salinity stress tolerance strategies for plants to increase agricultural productivity and sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Increase Horticultural Crop Production for a Sustainable Future World)
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