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Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 28918

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Dr. Roberta Bulgari

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Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: horticulture; abiotic stress; biostimulant; soilless cultivation; microgreens; vegetable quality; ornamentals; postharvest quality
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Dr. Ada Baldi

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Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy
Interests: vegetable crops; microgreens; baby leaf; leafy vegetables; greens; vegetable quality; wild food plants
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Dr. Anna Lenzi

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Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, 50144 Florence, Italy
Interests: vegetable and ornamental crops; hydroponics; urban agriculture; vegetables quality and safety

Dr. Antonios Chrysargyris

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Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol 3036, Cyprus
Interests: aromatic plants and vegetable cultivation; development of strategies for plant nutrition and response to abiotic stress; soil-less culture, substrates and hydroponics; postharvest storage and processing of medicinal and aromatic plants; essential oil analysis and biocidal activity; evaluation of natural products
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There are about 30,000 plant species that are considered edible, but nowadays very few of them are crops grown or cultivated on a commercially significant scale. On the other hand, there are several plants or their parts (leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds, hypogeal organs, and flowers) that are collected in the wild and consumed as raw or cooked food. Ethnobotany may offer a source of inspiration for agriculture, as wild edible species have the potential to lead food systems to be healthier, more sustainable, and resilient to climate change. A good tolerance to several abiotic and biotic stresses, as well as a high nutritional value and excellent nutraceutical properties, are common traits of wild plants, making them promising candidates as new crops. Novel approaches for the outdoor/indoor cultivation of wild or underutilized species are needed to give new opportunities for the growers to produce new food categories, particularly appealing to modern consumers. Cultivating wild species is also a way to preserve ethnobotanical heritage and to promote genetic diversity. Furthermore, the cultivation of food plants usually gathered in the wild could reduce the health-related risks associated with pollution and biological contaminations.

The present Special Issue welcomes original research and reviews.

Dr. Roberta Bulgari
Dr. Ada Baldi
Dr. Anna Lenzi
Dr. Antonios Chrysargyris
Guest Editors

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Keywords

edible species
cultivation systems
yield and quality
new functional foods
nutrients
secondary metabolites
antioxidants
food security
food safety
biodiversity

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Related Special Issue

Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers—2nd Edition in Horticulturae

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

5 pages, 198 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers

by Antonios Chrysargyris, Ada Baldi, Anna Lenzi and Roberta Bulgari

Horticulturae 2023, 9(11), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9111193 - 31 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1594

Abstract

By the year 2050, it is predicted that there will be 10 billion people on the planet, and along with this population growth, the need for food production will dramatically rise [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

15 pages, 1375 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Preliminary Assessment of Four Wild Leafy Species to Be Used as Baby Salads

by Ada Baldi, Stefania Truschi, Piero Bruschi and Anna Lenzi

Horticulturae 2023, 9(6), 650; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9060650 - 1 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1691

Abstract

Wild edible leafy plants, thanks to their organoleptic characteristics and nutritional value that can make them be appreciated as salads by consumers, represent a good opportunity for growers and the fresh-cut industry, which are always looking for new crops to expand the number of products they offer. In this study, four wild species (dandelion, sorrel, wild chicory, and wild lettuce) were cultivated hydroponically up to the baby leaf stage in order to evaluate them as potential crops. At harvest, yield and antioxidant compounds, minerals, and nitrates content were assessed. The contribution to human mineral intake and the possible health risk associated with heavy metals were investigated. A characterization of the sensory profile was also carried out. Yield and chlorophylls and carotenoids content of the investigated species were comparable to those of common leafy vegetables. Variability in nitrate content was observed, with the lowest value in sorrel and the highest in dandelion. All species could contribute in Cr, Mg, and Se intake, and health risks due to heavy metals were excluded. Each species was well characterized by distinctive and peculiar sensory notes. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary study suggest that the four wild investigated species may be promising for baby leaf production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

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10 pages, 270 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Nutritional Value of Wild and Domesticated Sanguisorba minor Scop. Plant

by Costanza Ceccanti, Tiane C. Finimundy and Lillian Barros

Horticulturae 2023, 9(5), 560; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9050560 - 9 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1379

Abstract

Sanguisorba minor Scop. is a wild edible species distributed in the Mediterranean area and present in numerous traditional food recipes. In the present study, the assessment of nutritional value (ash, carbohydrates, fat, proteins, energy, free sugars, organic acids, tocopherols, fatty acid composition, and minerals) of wild and domesticated S. minor plants was performed. Results showed an increase in ash, protein, fat, organic acid, and α-tocopherol content after the plant’s domestication. Retention of free sugars, especially sucrose, was observed from wild plants to domesticated ones. However, the cultivated plants reported a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids than saturated molecules, and both wild collection and domestication maintained a low ω6/ω3 ratio, confirming the role of this species in the prevention of oxidative and inflammatory processes. This aspect is also suggested by the high α-tocopherol content, a vitamin known for its ability to scavenge free-radical species. Nevertheless, a high oxalic acid content was found in domesticated plants. However, the management of fertilization in open field cultivation can be robust in terms of organic acid and mineral (e.g., calcium) content. Indeed, the most representative macrominerals found in domesticated plants were Ca and Mg. The present study suggests a possible introduction of S. minor species in the human diet as a functional food or ingredient by virtue of its high nutritional properties and contents. Moreover, the management of fertilization and domestication might be a solution to maintain/enhance the nutritional profile of this wild species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

15 pages, 689 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soilless Cultivation of Portulaca oleracea Using Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Residues for Partial Peat Replacement

by Antonios Chrysargyris, Stavros Louka, Spyridon A. Petropoulos and Nikolaos Tzortzakis

Horticulturae 2023, 9(4), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9040474 - 10 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1857

Abstract

The industrial manufacturing of essential oils (EOs) generates a sizable volume of bulk solid waste (SW) that needs to be disposed of. The present study evaluated the potential of using Origanum dubium wastes (ODW) and Sideritis cypria waste (SCW) obtained after EO distillation for partial peat substitution (0–5–10–20–40% v/v) in Portulaca oleracea production. Both ODW and SCW increased pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and mineral content, but negatively affected the total porosity and aeration of the growing media. Plant growth was inhibited, especially when high ratios of residues were used, and this was reflected by leaf stomatal conductance and chlorophyll decrease, as well as by the activation of several nonenzymatic (phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity) and enzymatic (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase) mechanisms and the increase in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide, indicating stress conditions. Despite that both ODW and SCW were rich in minerals, plants could not accumulate them. It can be concluded that both ODW and SCW have the potential to be used in the growing media at low ratios up to 10%, with increased antioxidant content in the final product. Nonetheless, the growing media properties, i.e., total pore space and aeration, still need to be improved to result in sufficient yields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

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11 pages, 684 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Carbohydrates, Organic Acids, and Minerals at Different Development Stages of Hexachlamys edulis Fruit, a Wild South American Species with Horticultural Potential

by Miriam Elisabet Arena, Ignacio Sebastián Povilonis, Virginia Borroni, Ethel Pérez, Néstor Pellegrino, Claudio Cacciatore and Silvia Radice

Horticulturae 2023, 9(3), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9030314 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2833

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the patterns of the accumulation of carbohydrates, organic acids, and minerals at different development stages of Hexachlamys edulis fruit for its evaluation as a source of health-promoting compounds, which is necessary in order to be included in the Argentine Food Code. Additionally, the obtained results will allow for deciding the optimal time for consumption to receive a better flavour and a good contribution of the nutrients evaluated. The succinic acid concentration (the major organic acid) was high in unripe fruit (112.33 mg/g of the dry weight), then decreased to a minimum in medium ripe and ripe fruit (92.48 to 99.43 mg/g of the dry weight,), to increase again in overripe fruit (115.65 mg/g of the dry weight,). Sucrose increased significantly from 21.20 mg/g of the dry weight in unripe fruit to a maximum of 82.53 mg/g of the dry weight in ripe fruit. Glucose increased significantly from 95.59 mg/g of the dry weight in unripe fruit to a maximum of 163.13 mg/g of the dry weight in overripe fruit. Fructose followed the same behaviour, increasing significantly from 150.08 mg/g of the dry weight in unripe fruit to a maximum of 205.85 mg/g of the dry weight in overripe fruit. The starch concentration was at the maximum in unripe and medium ripe fruit (171.39 and 161.19 mg starch/g of the dry weight, respectively), to then decrease in ripe and overripe fruit (40.45 and 65.96 mg starch/mg of the dry weight, respectively). Maximum insoluble dietary fibre values were attained in unripe and medium ripe fruit (26.71 and 27.13 mg/100 g of the dry weight, respectively), to then decrease in ripe and overripe fruit (15.81 and 15.51 mg/100 g of the dry weight, respectively). Soluble dietary fibre oscillated between 9.03 and 11.26 mg/100 g of the dry weight during the development stages, although without significant differences. The mineral concentrations (Mg, K, Mn, and total cations) did not vary significantly during the different development stages. The obtained results allow us to consider H. edulis fruit as a promising natural source of sugars, organic acids, and minerals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

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15 pages, 2747 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Importance of Becoming Tamed: Wild Food Plants as Possible Novel Crops in Selected Food-Insecure Regions

by Naji Sulaiman, Muhammad Abdul Aziz, Nataliya Stryamets, Giulia Mattalia, Dauro Mattia Zocchi, Hiwa M. Ahmed, Ajmal Khan Manduzai, Adnan Ali Shah, Abdullah Faiz, Renata Sõukand, Zbynek Polesny and Andrea Pieroni

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020171 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3708

Abstract

Domestication of new plants is one of the key (ongoing) phenomena in the history of agriculture. Wild plants are the ancestors of current and future crops and the largest reservoir of genetic diversity for crop breeding and improvement. Wild food species have been used for human nutrition since ancient times and are often the object of human strategies for coping with emergency situations, such as natural disasters and conflicts. We analyzed qualitative data collected through ethnobotanical field studies conducted in recent years in five selected Eurasian regions (Afghanistan, Kurdistan region of Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, and Ukraine) that have been recently affected by wars and/or socio-political turbulence. Data were collected through participant observation and semi-structured interviews with local people. We identified five taxa for each region, which are culturally very salient in the local food systems, that retain an important economic value in local markets, and that, therefore, could be good candidates for becoming novel crops. The cultivation of the reported species may significantly help local communities in their post-war livelihoods and especially in terms of food security and domestic nutritional care. Future studies should focus on the agronomic feasibility of the highlighted species within their regional ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

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11 pages, 1541 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Effect of Drought on Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Wild Species for Potential Cultivation as a Leafy Vegetable

by Marta Guarise, Gigliola Borgonovo, Angela Bassoli and Antonio Ferrante

Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010111 - 14 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2044

Abstract

Leafy vegetables are common components of the human diet and are a source of antioxidant, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. Fresh-cut or minimally processed industries are always looking for product innovations. Many wild species, based on their composition, can be evaluated as potential vegetables. In this work, hedge mustard has been studied as a potential leafy vegetable, and two wild populations were grown under 100% crop water requirement (WR) and 50% WR. The effect of water reduction was monitored using non-destructive measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence and by the analytical determination of primary or secondary metabolism associated parameters such as sugars, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and nitrate concentrations. The results demonstrated that hedge mustard [Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop.] can be grown with 50% WR without yield reduction. The yield was not statistically different between the two water regimes and ranged from 22.3 to 40 g plant⁻¹ FW. Leaf nitrate concentrations showed high variability in the MI population grown with 100% WR, while in the BG population, they did not change when the WR was shifted from 100% to 50%. The total phenols were 25% higher in the leaves of plants grown under 50% WR in both wild populations. The total sugars and anthocyanins did not show significant variations. Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters did not show significant changes. The results suggest that hedge mustard can be grown in environments with limited water availability or in the winter season using less water to avoid disease development. The highest yield was obtained from the BG population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

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14 pages, 345 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Domestication of Wild Edible Species: The Response of Scolymus hispanicus Plants to Different Fertigation Regimes

by Beatriz H. Paschoalinotto, Nikolaos Polyzos, Maria Compocholi, Youssef Rouphael, Alexios Alexopoulos, Maria Inês Dias, Lillian Barros and Spyridon A. Petropoulos

Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010103 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2390

Abstract

Scolymus hispanicus L. is a wild edible species with wide distribution in the Mediterranean area. Recent research has focused on the domestication of wild edible greens, which is essential for the preservation of agroecosystems and the increase in biodiversity, especially under the adversely changing climate conditions. In the present work, the aim was to evaluate the response of S. hispanicus plants to different fertilization regimes that varied in the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in regard to plant growth and chemical composition of leaves. For this purpose, plants were grown in pots within an unheated greenhouse. Seven experimental treatments were used, including six fertigation regimes (SH1-SH6) and the control treatment (SHC), where no fertilizers were added. Fresh yield was beneficially affected by the treatments that included a high content of P and K (e.g., SH3 and SH5), while lesser amounts of these macronutrients (e.g., SH1 and SH4) resulted in higher chlorophyll content (SPAD index) and leaf area. In terms of mineral profile, high amounts of P and K improved dietary fiber and carbohydrates content, whereas the untreated plants had the highest content of ash, fat and crude protein. Oxalic and quinic acid were the major organic acids detected, with fertigation regimes significantly reducing their content compared to the control treatment. α-tocopherol was the only isoform of vitamin E detected in all the samples, while glucose and fructose were the most abundant sugars, with their highest content detected in control and SH4 treatments, respectively. Scolymus hispanicus leaves were rich in macro and micro minerals, while their contents varied depending on the fertigation regime. Finally, α-linolenic, palmitic, and linoleic acid were the major fatty acids detected, while their contents were beneficially affected by low nutrient inputs (e.g., untreated plants and SH1 and SH2 treatments). In conclusion, the regulation of nutrient solution seems to be an effective practice to increase fresh yield in S. hispanicus without compromising the nutritional profile of the edible product, while low inputs of macronutrients such as P and K may improve the chemical composition of the species, especially in terms of n-fatty acids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

15 pages, 1013 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hedypnois cretica L. and Urospermum picroides L. Plant Growth, Nutrient Status and Quality Characteristics under Salinity Stress

by Alexios A. Alexopoulos, Anna Assimakopoulou, Panagiotis Panagopoulos, Maria Bakea, Nikolina Vidalis, Ioannis C. Karapanos, Youssef Rouphael and Spyridon A. Petropoulos

Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010065 - 5 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2252

Abstract

The cultivation of tolerant species with low-quality irrigation water is one of the main strategies to address the lack of availability of irrigation water. In this work, the effect of salinity on plant growth, nutritional composition, and quality features of Hedypnois cretica and Urospermum picroides was tested. Fresh yield of leaves and roots of both species were severely decreased under high salinity, while the mineral profile of leaves and roots also showed a decrease in most minerals. The recorded values of K/Na and Ca/Na ratios indicate that H. cretica has a higher susceptibility to salt stress due to a higher decrease in the values of the respective ratios compared to U. picroides. Leaf pigments and total phenolic compounds content were not significantly affected by salinity, while total soluble solids and titratable acidity increased under increasing salinity in most cases. Moreover, free proline content increased with increasing salinity, while the opposite trend was recorded for nitrates’ content. In conclusion, our findings indicate that tailor-made nutrient solutions could allow the use of irrigation water of a low quality for the commercial cultivation of H. cretica and U. picroides, thus allowing their domestication and integration in cropping systems where the cultivation of conventional crops is compromised. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

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14 pages, 1773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Main Physicochemical Characteristics and Nutrient Composition during Fruit Ripening of Stauntonia obovatifoliola Subsp. Urophylla (Lardizabalaceae)

by Tianjiao Jia, Chen Feng, Shuaiyu Zou and Puxin Gao

Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010029 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2263

Abstract

Stauntonia obovatifoliola Hayata subsp. urophylla is a novel edible and healthy fruit in China, commonly known as “Jiuyuehuang” (September yellow). The fully ripe fruit of S. obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla has a soft fruit pulp texture, golden flesh, and sweet flavor which is very popular with the locals. In this paper, we have investigated the fruit appearance quality, physiochemical quality, and nutritional quality of S. obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla that was harvested at six stages (S1: 60 DAFB, S2: 90 DAFB, S3: 130 DAFB, S4: 160 DAFB, S5: 190 DAFB, S6: 205 DAFB). An increase in fruit size (including single fruit weight, fruit length, and fruit diameter) was related to the ripeness stage of fruit development. The total soluble solids, firmness, dry matter, sugar and starch showed remarkable changes as the fruit approached ripening (S5–S6 stage). The main sugar components in the fruit were fructose, glucose, and maltose. The contents of fructose, glucose, and total sugars in S. obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla fruit progressively increased from the S1 to the S6 stage while increasing sharply from the S4 to the S5 stage. As for the content of maltose and starch, they both showed an increasing trend from the S1 to the S4 stage but decreased sharply at the S5 stage. The vitamin B, vitamin C, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and amino acid levels showed an overall downward trend during fruit development. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the phytochemical characteristics, nutrient composition, and antioxidant content during the different fruit development stages. The results of this study may provide a scientific basis for clarifying the growth and development characteristics of S. obovatifoliola subsp. urophylla fruit and the further utilization of these excellent medicinal and edible germplasm resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

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Review

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19 pages, 4249 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Prospects of Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium L.) as a New Horticultural Crop for Food and Non-Food Uses: A Review

by Eleonora Matarrese and Massimiliano Renna

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020246 - 11 Feb 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4321

Abstract

Heracleum sphondylium L., commonly known as hogweed, common hogweed, or cow parsnip, is an herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family native to Europe and Asia. This wild edible plant is common in grasslands, herb-rich meadows, hedges, wooded areas, roadsides, and railway embankments and in both waste and cultivated grounds. This review presents both the characteristics and ethnobotany, as well as the findings, technical advances, and potential of hogweed research with the goal of improving and disseminating knowledge regarding the value and potential of this wild edible plant. Current knowledge suggests that H. sphondylium L. shows good potential as a new cash crop, being an interesting food ingredient and also a source of compounds with biological activities. Therefore, hogweed may be proposed as a new horticultural crop, although several aspects of cultivation must be examined before full domestication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wild Plant Species as Potential Horticultural Crops: An Opportunity for Farmers and Consumers)

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