Horticulturae

21 pages, 2374 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Acclimatization of In Vitro Potato Plantlets: A Systematic Review of Media Formulation, Light Quality, and Bio-Priming Strategies

by Guillermo Alexander Jácome Sarchi, Nataly Tatiana Coronel Montesdeoca, Stalin Aldair De la Cruz Sarchi, Francisca Hernández and Rafael Todos Santos Martínez

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050597 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2026

Abstract

The production of pre-basic (G0) seed tubers underpins the certified potato value chain. However, the transition from in vitro laboratory conditions to the ex vitro greenhouse environment remains a persistent production constraint, with reported mortality rates of 50–70%. This systematic review, conducted in [...] Read more.

The production of pre-basic (G0) seed tubers underpins the certified potato value chain. However, the transition from in vitro laboratory conditions to the ex vitro greenhouse environment remains a persistent production constraint, with reported mortality rates of 50–70%. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesizes data from 63 selected studies (spanning 2010–2026) to propose a conceptual “Physiological Competence Framework”. We introduce a conceptual hypothesis termed the “Nitrogen Paradox”, which suggests that excessive ammonium influx may inhibit lignin biosynthesis, explaining the structural vulnerability of the vitrotype. Our analysis proposes three pillars for acclimatization success: (1) Nutritional hardening and exogenous PGR modulation, characterized by reduced nitrogen and sucrose levels to mitigate hyperhydricity; (2) photo-autotrophic induction, where optimized LED spectra replace conventional lighting to stimulate stomatal functionality; and (3) rhizosphere engineering, utilizing bio-priming with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) to create a biotic shield against transplant shock. Furthermore, we examine emerging evidence for nanoparticle-based stress priming (AgNPs, ZnNPs). The evidence supports replacing high-nitrogen multiplication media with reduced-nitrogen formulations, replacing fluorescent lamps with balanced Red–Blue LED spectra, and incorporating PGPR bio-priming before transplant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Micropropagation of Horticultural Plants: Bridging Research and Industry)

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27 pages, 3250 KB

Open AccessReview

Research Progress on Post-Harvest Preservation Technology of Capsicum L.: A Review

by Guoliang Dong, Taomei Yang, Liangjie Ba, Donglan Luo, Zhibing Zhao, Sen Cao and Tao Wang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050596 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2026

Abstract

Capsicum L. is valued for its pungency and nutrition but is susceptible to postharvest deterioration such as weight loss, softening, and decay, leading to reduced quality and marketability. While conventional methods like refrigeration and chemical treatments extend shelf life, they raise safety and [...] Read more.

Capsicum L. is valued for its pungency and nutrition but is susceptible to postharvest deterioration such as weight loss, softening, and decay, leading to reduced quality and marketability. While conventional methods like refrigeration and chemical treatments extend shelf life, they raise safety and environmental concerns. Recently, environmentally friendly preservation techniques have gained attention, including physical (modified atmosphere packaging, cold storage, plasma), chemical (ozone, 1-MCP, chlorine dioxide, nano selenium), and biological (biopolymer films, essential oils, melatonin) approaches. Studies show that combining two or more methods often yields synergistic effects, outperforming individual treatments. This review systematically outlines the physiological and quality changes in postharvest capsicum fruits and summarizes recent advances in key preservation technologies, with emphasis on combined strategies. It aims to provide insights into preservation mechanisms, suggest future research directions, and support the development of safe, effective, and sustainable practices for the capsicum industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Quality Preservation and Disease Control for Fruits and Vegetables)

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24 pages, 1921 KB

Open AccessReview

Horticultural Strategies for Enhancing Yield and Quality in Hydroponic Microgreens: A Comprehensive Review

by Jingyi Wu, Tongyin Li, Jiajia Li, Dong Chen and Qianwen Zhang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050595 (registering DOI) - 12 May 2026

Abstract

Microgreens have emerged as a nutrient-dense specialty crop with great potential to address global nutritional challenges through urban farming and controlled-environment agriculture. While interest in enhancing both the yield and nutritional quality of hydroponic microgreens is growing, a comprehensive synthesis of horticultural strategies [...] Read more.

Microgreens have emerged as a nutrient-dense specialty crop with great potential to address global nutritional challenges through urban farming and controlled-environment agriculture. While interest in enhancing both the yield and nutritional quality of hydroponic microgreens is growing, a comprehensive synthesis of horticultural strategies is still lacking. This gap hinders the development of integrated approaches needed for efficient and targeted quality improvement. This review systematically examines the current literature on horticultural interventions for improving hydroponic microgreen production, focusing on nutrient solution management, light environmental manipulation, substrate selection, genetic potential, and emerging synergistic approaches. Nutrient solution optimization, including appropriate concentration, timing, and targeted biofortification with essential elements, enhances both productivity and nutritional density. Light spectral manipulation, particularly through red-to-far-red ratios or blue-light supplementation, enables precise control of morphology and the accumulation of bioactive compounds. Substrate physicochemical properties influence nutrient availability and uptake, while genetic variability among species and cultivars provides the foundation for biofortification efforts. Emerging approaches including biostimulant application, integrated pre- and post-harvest practices, and phenotyping and artificial intelligence integration offer additional avenues for sustainable quality enhancement. This review provides a framework for optimizing hydroponic microgreen production systems to simultaneously achieve high yield and enhanced nutritional quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactivity and Nutritional Quality of Horticultural Crops)

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23 pages, 8555 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Target-Region Segmentation and Robust Sphere Fitting for RGB-D Apple Picking-Point Localization

by Yi Liu, Kaisen Zhang, Linlong Jing, Junsheng Liu, Yongxian Wang and Jinxing Wang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050594 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2026

Abstract

To address the challenge of apple picking-point localization under severe occlusion and complex backgrounds in dwarf rootstock high-density orchards, this paper proposes a target-region-segmentation-based 3D localization method in which the fruit sphere center is defined as the picking point. A lightweight occlusion-aware semantic [...] Read more.

To address the challenge of apple picking-point localization under severe occlusion and complex backgrounds in dwarf rootstock high-density orchards, this paper proposes a target-region-segmentation-based 3D localization method in which the fruit sphere center is defined as the picking point. A lightweight occlusion-aware semantic segmentation network, OA-LiteSegNet, is developed to generate accurate foreground masks for partially visible apples. Guided by the segmentation result, a local target-region point cloud is reconstructed from the depth map and further processed by robust sphere fitting to estimate the apple sphere center and fruit diameter. Experimental results show that OA-LiteSegNet achieves 90.35% mIoU and 76.27% BF1 with only 5.92 M parameters and 11.30 GFLOPs, while reaching an inference speed of 128.40 FPS, achieving a favorable accuracy–efficiency trade-off among the compared mainstream models. The proposed 3D localization method achieves an average sphere-center error of 2.88 mm, which is 68.4% lower than that of the conventional bounding-box-center back-projection method (9.11 mm), and maintains stable performance across different occlusion types. These results demonstrate the potential of the proposed method for real-time and accurate apple localization under controlled laboratory occlusion scenarios, while further field validation in real orchards remains necessary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Learning for Sustainable Horticulture)

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23 pages, 5596 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Optimizing Light Quantity and Quality for Accelerating Flowering of Petunia with Associated Changes in FLOWERING LOCUS T Gene Expression

by Jiaqi Xia, Jian Hua and Neil Mattson

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050593 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2026

Abstract

As plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) expand beyond leafy greens to include flowering crops, understanding the role of light quantity and quality in regulating plant development becomes increasingly important. This study investigated how far-red (FR) radiation and daily light integral (DLI) influences [...] Read more.

As plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) expand beyond leafy greens to include flowering crops, understanding the role of light quantity and quality in regulating plant development becomes increasingly important. This study investigated how far-red (FR) radiation and daily light integral (DLI) influences flowering time, plant morphology, and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene expression in petunia. Four facultative commercial cultivars and one obligate long-day model cultivar, ‘Mitchell Diploid’, were grown under two DLI conditions with a gradient of FR radiation. Increasing FR consistently accelerated flowering across both DLI conditions without reducing flower bud number, branch number, or shoot fresh weight at harvest. Higher DLI generally produced more compact plants by reducing plant height and canopy area, whereas increasing FR promoted stem elongation, particularly in ‘Mitchell Diploid’. Cultivar responses varied substantially, indicating that genotype is an important factor when applying FR-based lighting strategies. To explore potential molecular mechanisms associated with FR-induced flowering acceleration, the expression levels of five petunia homologs, PhFT1 to PhFT5, were analyzed across developmental stages under low and supplemental FR conditions. PhFT2-5 expression was generally associated with flower initiation, with PhFT2 showing the strongest positive relationship with flowering and responsiveness to supplemental FR, whereas PhFT1 showed a decreasing trend over time and was not positively associated with flowering. Overall, this study demonstrates that FR radiation can be used to accelerate petunia flowering in PFAL production without compromising key quality traits and suggests that specific FT homologs, particularly PhFT2, may contribute to FR-mediated flowering regulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regulation of Flowering and Development in Ornamental Plants)

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18 pages, 5474 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of LED Lighting Configurations on the Growth and Quality of Arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) in a Vertical NFT System

by Pabla Rebolledo, Miguel Urrestarazu, Fernando Fuentes-Peñailillo, Eduardo Pradi Vendruscolo and Gilda Carrasco

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050592 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2026

Abstract

In vertical farming systems, defining suitable lighting strategies is essential for improving crop productivity and product quality under controlled environmental conditions. This study evaluated the effects of four LED lighting configurations differing in spectral composition and lamp-to-canopy distance on the growth and selected [...] Read more.

In vertical farming systems, defining suitable lighting strategies is essential for improving crop productivity and product quality under controlled environmental conditions. This study evaluated the effects of four LED lighting configurations differing in spectral composition and lamp-to-canopy distance on the growth and selected quality traits of arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) grown in a vertical nutrient film technique (NFT) system. Two light spectra were tested: white LED light and a red–blue LED combination, each applied at two distances from the crop canopy (20 and 40 cm). Two experiments were conducted in 2025 in a climate-controlled cultivation unit, and agronomic and quality-related variables were assessed at harvest, including fresh biomass, leaf development, total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, chlorophyll index, and nitrate concentration. The LW20 treatment, representing a specific combination of white LED lighting, lamp-to-canopy distance, PPFD, and DLI, was associated with the highest fresh biomass, reaching 42.6 g plant⁻¹ in Experiment 1 and 70.9 g plant⁻¹ in Experiment 2, and with the highest total polyphenol content (38.4 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹ FW). In contrast, the red–blue treatments were associated with lower biomass production, while the RB20 treatment showed the lowest polyphenol concentration (26.2 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹ FW). Among the evaluated quality-related parameters, total polyphenols showed the clearest response to lighting conditions, whereas antioxidant capacity, chlorophyll index, and nitrate concentration were not significantly affected. Under the evaluated conditions, LW20 was the most favorable among the four tested lighting configurations for fresh biomass production and total polyphenol accumulation. However, this response should not be interpreted as evidence of white light superiority alone, because spectral composition, lamp-to-canopy distance, PPFD, and DLI were not independently controlled. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Practices in Smart Greenhouses)

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19 pages, 1838 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Inhibitory Effects of 3-Octanone and 1-Octen-3-ol on Juvenile Survival, Egg Development, and Egg-Mass Hatching in Meloidogyne Species

by Alexandra M. Kortsinoglou, Dionysios Ntinokas, Nikolaos S. Lotsios, Daniel C. Eastwood, E. Joel Loveridge, Vassili N. Kouvelis, Ioannis O. Giannakou and Tariq M. Butt

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050591 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2026

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) of the genus Meloidogyne are major plant pests causing severe crop losses. Microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have emerged as promising biopesticides. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two fungal VOCs, 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone, on nematode survival in [...] Read more.

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) of the genus Meloidogyne are major plant pests causing severe crop losses. Microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have emerged as promising biopesticides. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two fungal VOCs, 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone, on nematode survival in five Meloidogyne species (M. incognita, M. javanica, M. hapla, M. arenaria, and M. luci) in plate assays. Results showed near-complete (95–100%) J2 mortality at 500–1000 ppm within 24 h. At lower concentrations, mobility declined, and species-dependent differences were observed: 1-octen-3-ol was more effective against M. arenaria. Meanwhile, 3-octanone showed stronger effects only on M. hapla and moderate effects on M. incognita and M. javanica. Further experiments using solely M. javanica showed that egg differentiation was significantly inhibited at 7, 14, and 21 days, with up to an 80% reduction at 1000 ppm, and the effects persisted at 125 ppm. Egg hatching from egg masses was reduced by up to 95% in a concentration-dependent manner, irrespective of compound type. Soil-like microcosm assays resulted in substantial reductions in recovered juveniles, with over 90% reduction at 125 ppm after 24 h, suggesting sustained effects under the tested conditions. In more complex plant–soil greenhouse conditions, effects were reduced, although decreasing trends in nematode infection were observed. Overall, these results indicate that fungal VOCs exhibit strong effects on different nematode life stages under controlled conditions, highlighting 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone as promising candidates for further evaluation in nematode management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Integrated Pest Management for Sustainable Horticulture)

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17 pages, 3897 KB

Open AccessArticle

Balancing Yield and Environmental Sustainability in Chinese Watermelon Production: A Life Cycle and Nitrogen Management Study

by Huanyu Zhao, Yujia Li, Yuheng Wang, Jiawei Xie, Yu Xu, Deshui Tan and Yueqiang Zhang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050590 (registering DOI) - 11 May 2026

Abstract

China produces 61.0% of the world’s watermelons, yet a life cycle assessment (LCA) of its production system is lacking. Here, we combined farmer surveys and field experiments to assess resource depletion and environmental impacts across North China (NC), Northwest China (NW), and Southwest [...] Read more.

China produces 61.0% of the world’s watermelons, yet a life cycle assessment (LCA) of its production system is lacking. Here, we combined farmer surveys and field experiments to assess resource depletion and environmental impacts across North China (NC), Northwest China (NW), and Southwest China (SW), and to quantify the mitigation potential through optimized nitrogen (N) management. NC achieved the highest yield but also the highest resource use and emissions per hectare. In contrast, SW performed best per ton of fruit produced due to lower input intensity. Nitrogen fertilizer dominated greenhouse gas emissions and eutrophication potential, with over 85% of its impact arising during the field application stage. Grouping farms by yield and N partial factor productivity revealed a mitigation potential of 46.5–55.4%, enabling both high yield and high efficiency. Field experiments confirmed that reducing N input by 14.3–40.0%, as recommended regionally, stabilizes yield while significantly lowering environmental burdens. Our findings validate that region-specific N optimization is a key strategy for achieving sustainable watermelon production in China. Full article

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13 pages, 729 KB

Open AccessArticle

Overexpression of Grapevine VvWRKY57 Enhances Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

by Rao Zhang, Liyang Zhang and Mohammad Saidur Rhaman

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050589 (registering DOI) - 10 May 2026

Abstract

Soil salinization is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting agricultural production. As an economically important fruit tree worldwide, grapevine generally exhibits weak salt tolerance. Therefore, identifying key stress-tolerance genes is of great significance for improving stress resistance in grapevines. In this study, [...] Read more.

Soil salinization is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting agricultural production. As an economically important fruit tree worldwide, grapevine generally exhibits weak salt tolerance. Therefore, identifying key stress-tolerance genes is of great significance for improving stress resistance in grapevines. In this study, the transcription factor gene VvWRKY57, which is induced by salt stress, was cloned from the grape cultivar Vitis vinifera ‘Shine Muscat’. Its function under salt stress was systematically evaluated via heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The full-length CDS of the VvWRKY57 gene is 915 bp, encoding a protein of 305 amino acids. The protein contains a typical WRKY conserved domain, belongs to group II of the WRKY family, and is localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Expression pattern analysis showed that VvWRKY57 was expressed in roots, stems, and leaves of grapevine. Based on this expression profile, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing VvWRKY57 were generated to further investigate its role in salt tolerance. Subsequent salt tolerance assays revealed that, compared with wild-type plants, the overexpression lines exhibited stronger resistance phenotypes under salt stress. This study demonstrates for the first time that grape-derived VvWRKY57 functions in enhancing salt tolerance in model plants, providing a novel genetic resource and theoretical basis for crop salt-tolerance molecular breeding using this gene. Full article

24 pages, 9546 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Nutrient Solution Electromagnetic Properties, Droplet Size, and Spray Control Methods on the Growth Characteristics of Aeroponic Lettuce

by Liangtong Yao and Jianmin Gao

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050588 (registering DOI) - 10 May 2026

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of nutrient solution magnetization, droplet size, and spray control strategy on the growth characteristics of aeroponically grown lettuce. Two experimental groups were established. Group A employed a two-factor design under timer control to evaluate the effects of magnetic [...] Read more.

This study investigated the effects of nutrient solution magnetization, droplet size, and spray control strategy on the growth characteristics of aeroponically grown lettuce. Two experimental groups were established. Group A employed a two-factor design under timer control to evaluate the effects of magnetic field intensity and droplet size, whereas Group B adopted an incomplete block design to examine the combined effects of magnetic field intensity, droplet size, and spray control mode, including timer control and temperature–humidity-based intelligent control. The interaction between magnetic field intensity and droplet size significantly affected root length, shoot growth traits, and the root-to-shoot ratio. Magnetic field intensity significantly influenced root length, shoot length, canopy area, biomass, and the root-to-shoot ratio, while droplet size primarily affected canopy area and biomass. Spray control strategy had a highly significant effect on the root-to-shoot ratio, and intelligent control improved biomass allocation compared with timer control. The results from Group B generally confirmed the trends observed in Group A, indicating that moderate magnetic field intensity and an appropriate droplet size were more favorable for lettuce growth than excessively high magnetic field intensity or unsuitable droplet size. Multi-objective optimization indicated that a moderate magnetic field intensity of approximately 260 mT, a droplet size of approximately 57.55 μm, and temperature–humidity-based intelligent control provided the most favorable balance between shoot growth and root-to-shoot allocation. These findings provide a preliminary reference for parameter selection in aeroponic system design and protected vegetable production under controlled conditions. However, the optimized parameters should be further validated across different lettuce cultivars, growth stages, and larger-scale production systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Pre-Harvest and/or Post-Harvest Application of Plant-Based Natural Biostimulants on Horticultural Crops and Fruits)

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18 pages, 2699 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pollen Tube Growth and Embryo Development in Interspecific Crosses Among Hydrangea macrophylla, H. paniculata, and H. arborescens

by Hengdan Liu, Siru Chen, Mengqi Si, Hao Dou, Liwen Tian, Yuyong Yang, Zenghua Yang and Ming Cai

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050587 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2026

Abstract

Reproductive barriers severely limit interspecific hybridization success among Hydrangea macrophylla, H. paniculata, and H. arborescens, thereby restricting the combination of ornamental traits and cold hardiness. We evaluated cross-compatibility, pollen tube growth, and embryo development in both direct and reciprocal crosses [...] Read more.

Reproductive barriers severely limit interspecific hybridization success among Hydrangea macrophylla, H. paniculata, and H. arborescens, thereby restricting the combination of ornamental traits and cold hardiness. We evaluated cross-compatibility, pollen tube growth, and embryo development in both direct and reciprocal crosses involving H. macrophylla with H. paniculata and H. arborescens. Both species pairs exhibited pronounced unilateral incompatibilities. When H. macrophylla served as the maternal parent, the percentages of seedling emergence were higher, whereas reciprocal crosses produced >84% ovary swelling but resulted in almost no seedlings. Fluorescence microscopy revealed mild prezygotic barriers in direct crosses but strong inhibition of pollen germination and pollen tube growth in reciprocal crosses. Paraffin section observations showed that postzygotic barriers were the primary cause of hybrid failure, with endosperm-type abortion predominating in direct crosses and embryo-type or complete abortion in reciprocal crosses. Consistent with these abortion patterns, direct crosses maintained higher proportions of normal embryos, whereas reciprocal crosses dropped below 10% at the globular stage and approached 0% at later stages. These findings support the use of timely embryo rescue for direct crosses and targeted mitigation of prezygotic barriers in reciprocal crosses to improve Hydrangea interspecific hybridization efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Innovation and Breeding in Ornamental Plants)

24 pages, 3719 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Oxidative Stress, Cell Wall Modification, and Transcriptomic Responses Associated with Postharvest Quality Deterioration in ‘Sapphire’ Blueberry

by Turaev Bobur, Muhammad Faisal, Ronghui Li, Yu Si, Meng Zhang, Xiaoxue Kong, Yuxing Guo, Haibo Luo and Lijuan Yu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050586 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2026

Abstract

The transition of blueberry fruits from the ripening stage to the post-harvest senescence stage is rapid. However, the internal physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying this process have not been elucidated. This study analyzed changes during blueberry fruit development and post-harvest storage senescence [...] Read more.

The transition of blueberry fruits from the ripening stage to the post-harvest senescence stage is rapid. However, the internal physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying this process have not been elucidated. This study analyzed changes during blueberry fruit development and post-harvest storage senescence to examine processes associated with quality loss. Post-harvest senescence was associated with a marked metabolic transition, which coincided with a transient ethylene peak at maturity and the accumulation of sugars and anthocyanins. This ripening phase was followed by increased oxidative stress, reflected in higher membrane damage, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and shifts in conductivity and antioxidant activities, including reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and increased catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities. The oxidative conditions were associated with higher rotting rates and coincided with fruit softening and increased polygalacturonase (PG) and β-galactosidase (β-Gal) activities. Correlation analysis identified a “ripening stress-activation cluster” (ethylene, sugars, anthocyanin, CAT/POD/PPO, MDA, PG/β-Gal, and RR) and a “textural integrity cluster” (hardness, chewiness, titratable acidity (TA), and ascorbic acid); these clusters represent correlation-based groupings of variables rather than experimentally validated functional modules. Transcriptomic profiling further showed extensive gene expression changes during storage. Functional enrichment analysis supported a shift from developmental metabolism toward senescence-associated pathways, including starch and sucrose metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and cell wall modification. Overall, the results support a model in which ethylene signaling, oxidative stress, and cell wall disassembly are associated with the transition from ripening to senescence, offering insights for improving blueberry post-harvest quality and extending shelf life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Postharvest Fresh-Keeping Technology and Metabolomics of Horticultural Plants—Second Edition)

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16 pages, 12031 KB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of C-Terminally Encoded Peptide (CEP) Genes in Blueberry and Preliminary Functional Evaluation of Their Encoded Mature Peptides Under Salt and Osmotic Stresses

by Lei Gong, Shitao Du, Jing Li, Sijian Guo, Junke Zhang, Rui Liu, Chunzhen Cheng and Yongyan Zhang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050585 - 8 May 2026

Abstract

C-terminally encoded peptides (CEPs), a class of post-translationally modified peptides, have been discovered to be potential mediators of abiotic stress responses in several plants. In this study, to explore the possible roles of CEPs in blueberry salt and osmotic stress responses, a genome-wide [...] Read more.

C-terminally encoded peptides (CEPs), a class of post-translationally modified peptides, have been discovered to be potential mediators of abiotic stress responses in several plants. In this study, to explore the possible roles of CEPs in blueberry salt and osmotic stress responses, a genome-wide identification of CEP genes was first conducted. In total, we identified 12 VcCEPs that can be further categorized into three subfamilies in blueberry. Collinearity analysis identified 14 segmental duplicated gene pairs involving four Subfamily I members and five Subfamily III members among VcCEPs, indicating that the expansion of the blueberry CEP gene family was promoted by the segmental duplication events of Subfamily I and Subfamily III members. Promoter analysis revealed that all the VcCEPs’ promoters contain drought-inducible and defence and stress-related elements, suggesting that they might contribute to the stress responses of blueberry. Gene expression analysis showed that, of the 12 VcCEPs, VcCEP1, VcCEP4, VcCEP5 and VcCEP6 expressed in blueberry root and/or leaf, with varied expression levels under salt and drought treatments, while others showed no expression or very low expression. We further identified CEP mature peptide (CEPm) sequences in VcCEPs, and found that nine VcCEPs contain one mature peptide, while VcCEP7, VcCEP2 and VcCEP10 contain 3, 2, and 2 mature peptide sequences, respectively. The CEPms of Subfamily III members (VcCEP7~11) share more than 60% similarity with reported stress-related CEP mature peptides from other plant species, indicating that they might function in blueberry stress responses. Additionally, exogenous application of different synthesized CEP mature peptides alleviated blueberry leaf yellowing/browning under 150 mM NaCl/500 mM mannitol treatments, with CEP7a*2 and CEP7a*2 + 7c showing the best effects. These findings indicate that their functions are concentration-dependent to some extent. Collectively, our study characterized the CEP genes in blueberry and can provide a basis for the future applications of CEPs in enhancing blueberry stress tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biotic and Abiotic Stress)

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18 pages, 3731 KB

Open AccessArticle

Controlled Water Deficit at the Mature Green Stage Alters Tomato Fruit Sugar Composition Without Yield Reduction

by Ning Jin, Li Jin, Dan Zhang, Shuya Wang, Yandong Xie, Xin Meng, Zhaozhuang Li, Shuchao Huang, Jian Lyu and Jihua Yu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050584 - 8 May 2026

Abstract

Water deficit (WD) irrigation has garnered considerable attention for its potential to enhance crop water use efficiency. However, limited research has been conducted on its ability to improve tomato fruit sweetness-related traits without significantly affecting yield. In this study, we investigated the effects [...] Read more.

Water deficit (WD) irrigation has garnered considerable attention for its potential to enhance crop water use efficiency. However, limited research has been conducted on its ability to improve tomato fruit sweetness-related traits without significantly affecting yield. In this study, we investigated the effects of varying WD levels [T1–T4: 80%, 65%, 55%, and 45% of field capacity (FC)] compared with full irrigation (CK: 90% FC) on tomato fruits from the mature green to red-ripe stages, aiming to evaluate yield, textural attributes, and sugar composition. Notably, the fruit yield per plant under T2 treatment was not significantly different from that under CK. Compared with CK, T2 significantly reduced fruit water content by 2.39% while markedly increasing individual fruit dry weight by 13.61%. At 44 days after flowering, fruit firmness under T2 showed no substantial difference from CK, whereas adhesiveness was markedly elevated by 33.85%. Furthermore, T2 substantially boosted the activities of key Calvin cycle enzymes (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, and transketolase) in tomato leaves, thereby increasing the photosynthetic rate and consequently elevating the total sugar content in tomato fruits. Additionally, T2 stimulated the activities of sucrose-hydrolyzing enzymes (acid invertase and neutral invertase) in fruits, leading to increased fructose and glucose accumulation at the red-ripening stage, with respective increases of 69.60% and 34.67% relative to CK. Multivariate classification based on principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that T2 and T3 were distinctly separated from other treatments in terms of yield, texture parameters, and sugar profiles. These findings provide a valuable strategy for applying WD to improve fruit sugar composition without compromising yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Vegetable Production Systems)

19 pages, 6703 KB

Open AccessArticle

Silica-Based Nanomaterials Enhance Zingiber officinale Growth: A Comprehensive Study from Seedling to Harvest

by Shengyou Fang, Xuli Liu, Chong Sun, Jiawei Ma, Yi Zhang, Minglu Gu, Xiaoyang Du, Kyaw Htet Wai Wai, Junliang Yin and Yongxing Zhu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 583; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050583 - 8 May 2026

Abstract

Ginger possesses both significant edible and medicinal value. Sprouting of ginger is a critical phase that influences the yield and quality of the crop. While silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are known to promote the growth of ginger, their impact on sprouting remains unclear. The [...] Read more.

Ginger possesses both significant edible and medicinal value. Sprouting of ginger is a critical phase that influences the yield and quality of the crop. While silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are known to promote the growth of ginger, their impact on sprouting remains unclear. The results show that sprouting 100 mg L⁻¹ SiNPs (SiNP100) significantly improved ginger sprouting rate and respiratory intensity while reducing weight loss. It also elevated fructose, sucrose, and glucose contents, as well as sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SS), neutral invertase (NI), acid invertase (AI) activities, indicating that SiNP100 is associated with enhanced sprouting by modulating sugar metabolism. Concurrently, starch content decreased and α- and β-amylase activities increased. Hormonal profiling showed that SiNP100 increased auxin (IAA), trans-zeatin (TZR), isoamylalkenyladenin (IP), and gibberellic acid (GA₃) levels, while decreasing abscisic acid (ABA), further supporting its role in promoting sprouting. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR validated that SiNP100 significantly enriched the plant hormone signal transduction and starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, upregulating genes related to sugar transport and metabolism (ZoSweet7, ZoSSIVa, ZoSPS1, and ZoSUS5). Field trials over two consecutive years confirmed that SiNP100 application improved ginger growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant capacity, and ultimately yield and quality. This study demonstrated the potential of SiNPs to improve seed sprouting and promote ginger growth under field conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Horticultural Crops Resistance to Abiotic Stresses)

17 pages, 1351 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interactive Effects of Culture System and Carbon Source on Mineral Nutrition, Growth, and Shoot Proliferation in Chestnut Micropropagation

by Burak Akyüz, İbrahim Halil Hatipoğlu, Salih Demirkaya, Abdurrahman Ay and Ayşe Akyüz

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050582 - 8 May 2026

Abstract

This study investigated the interactive effects of the culture system and carbon source on growth, shoot proliferation, and mineral nutrition dynamics in the in vitro propagation of chestnut. Explants of the ‘Akyüz’ cultivar were used in the Woody Plant Medium. Both plant tissues [...] Read more.

This study investigated the interactive effects of the culture system and carbon source on growth, shoot proliferation, and mineral nutrition dynamics in the in vitro propagation of chestnut. Explants of the ‘Akyüz’ cultivar were used in the Woody Plant Medium. Both plant tissues and culture media were analyzed for Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Mg concentrations. Morphological parameters, nutrient accumulation, and depletion patterns were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the liquid culture system supplemented with sucrose significantly enhanced plant growth, chlorophyll content, callus development, and shoot multiplication. Sucrose treatments promoted higher accumulation of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mg in plant tissues, whereas glucose treatments resulted in significantly higher Mn accumulation. Correlation and principal component analysis revealed strong positive relationships between growth parameters and Fe, Mg, Cu, and Zn, whereas Mn exhibited significant negative correlations. Among the machine learning models, Support Vector Regression showed the highest predictive performance for plant length (R² = 0.74) and SPAD (R² = 0.87). Nutrient depletion analysis showed substantial reductions in mineral concentrations in all treatments after four weeks. Overall, the combination of liquid culture systems with sucrose provides optimal conditions for chestnut micropropagation by promoting favorable nutrient interactions and minimizing antagonistic effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 10231 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Foliar-Applied Potassium Iodate and Hydrogen Sulphide on Growth and Physiology of Lettuce Under Greenhouse Conditions

by Murat Aydin, Kadir Yildirim, Melek Ekinci, Esma Yigider, Metin Turan, Melike Akca and Ertan Yildirim

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050581 - 8 May 2026

Abstract

Agronomic biofortification offers an environmentally friendly way to improve crop nutrition. The biofortification of vegetables with iodine has attracted increasing attention due to its significance for human health. Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) is a gaseous signalling molecule that affects many physiological and [...] Read more.

Agronomic biofortification offers an environmentally friendly way to improve crop nutrition. The biofortification of vegetables with iodine has attracted increasing attention due to its significance for human health. Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) is a gaseous signalling molecule that affects many physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants were cultivated under controlled greenhouse conditions. Foliar applications of potassium iodate (KIO₃) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S, supplied by sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS)) were applied separately and together (H₂S + KIO₃). Evaluations included growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, biochemical metabolites, antioxidant enzyme activities, plant hormone levels, and mineral nutrient contents. All treatments resulted in significant changes in plant growth and physiological traits compared to the control. The combined application resulted in greater responses across several parameters; however, these observations do not demonstrate a causal or mechanistic interaction between the treatments. The combined application increased plant fresh weight by ~42% and leaf area by ~35% compared to the control. Total chlorophyll content approximately doubled (≈100% increase), while SOD, POD, and CAT activities increased by up to ~160%, ~13%, and ~40%, respectively. Proline and sucrose contents increased by approximately 100% and 85%. Hormonal changes included increases in indole-3-acetic acid (~44%) and cytokinins (~55%), and a decrease in abscisic acid (~20%). In addition, several macro- and micronutrients in leaves and roots were affected by the treatments. The combined application of KIO₃ and H₂S was associated with greater responses across several measured parameters than either compound alone; however, these observations do not demonstrate a causal or mechanistic interaction between the two compounds. Furthermore, as the experiment was conducted under non-stress greenhouse conditions, the observed physiological responses should be interpreted as changes in metabolic and regulatory processes rather than direct evidence of enhanced stress tolerance. Overall, the results indicate that foliar application of KIO₃ and H₂S can influence growth and physiological traits of lettuce under controlled conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Vegetable Production Systems)

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12 pages, 2521 KB

Open AccessArticle

Expansin Gene PpEXPA13, Regulated by PpMYC2, Promotes Fruit Softening in Peach (Prunus persica)

by Chunyang Li, Yakun Guo, Hejie Dong, Guoliang Lv, Zhineng Zhang, Haipeng Zhang, Xiaobei Wang, Nan Hou, Jun Cheng, Wei Wang, Lei Wang, Xianbo Zheng, Jiancan Feng, Xiaodong Lian and Bin Tan

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050580 - 8 May 2026

Abstract

Fruit softening, an irreversible ripening process that causes postharvest losses, is mainly attributed to cell wall disassembly, rendering cell-wall-modifying genes critical targets for genetic improvement. However, the molecular mechanism by which expansins loosen the cell wall via the nonenzymatic mechanism, thereby affecting fruit [...] Read more.

Fruit softening, an irreversible ripening process that causes postharvest losses, is mainly attributed to cell wall disassembly, rendering cell-wall-modifying genes critical targets for genetic improvement. However, the molecular mechanism by which expansins loosen the cell wall via the nonenzymatic mechanism, thereby affecting fruit softening, remains largely unknown. In this study, HSM (melting peach, MF) fruits exhibited a rapid decline in firmness, accompanied by more extensive cell wall disassembly and larger intercellular spaces compared with CN14 (non-melting peach, NMF) during the fruit development process. The expression of PpEXPA13, an expansin gene, was significantly higher in HSM than in CN14 during fruit softening. Virus-induced gene silencing in peach delayed firmness loss, while the overexpression of PpEXPA13 in tomato accelerated it. PpEXPA13-OE fruits displayed enlarged intercellular spaces and upregulated expression of multiple cell-wall-modifying genes. Furthermore, a yeast one-hybrid assay identified the transcription factor PpMYC2 as an upstream regulator of PpEXPA13. PpMYC2 specifically binds to the MYC box (CACGTG) in the PpEXPA13 promoter. These findings reveal that PpMYC2 activates PpEXPA13 expression, which might lead to cell wall disassembly and promote peach fruit softening. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Postharvest Fresh-Keeping Technology and Metabolomics of Horticultural Plants—Second Edition)

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18 pages, 4939 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Exogenous Melatonin on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Petunia Under Salt Stress

by Yongmei Su, Weijian Wu, Shiqi Wen, Yujin Feng, Liangxia Li and Junping Xu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050579 - 8 May 2026

Abstract

Petunia × hybrida is a highly valued ornamental species worldwide, prized for its bright flower colors and long flowering period. Soil salinization is a major abiotic stress that negatively impacts both agriculture and ornamental plant cultivation. Its detrimental effects stem from osmotic stress, [...] Read more.

Petunia × hybrida is a highly valued ornamental species worldwide, prized for its bright flower colors and long flowering period. Soil salinization is a major abiotic stress that negatively impacts both agriculture and ornamental plant cultivation. Its detrimental effects stem from osmotic stress, ionic toxicity, and oxidative stress induced by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Melatonin, a multifunctional signaling molecule, can enhance plant resistance under adverse conditions. In this study, Petunia × hybrida cv. ‘Mirage Rose’ was used to investigate these effects. The five treatment groups consisted of control (CK), salt stress alone (NaCl, 200 mmol·L⁻¹), and salt stress combined with 50, 100, or 200 µmol·L⁻¹ melatonin (NaCl + MT50, NaCl + MT100, and NaCl + MT200). Evaluations covered developmental morphology, physiological and biochemical parameters, stomatal density, and transcript levels of antioxidant enzymes. Results indicated that high salinity significantly inhibited vegetative growth and reduced stomatal density while increasing the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide anions (O₂⁻), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Exogenous melatonin application significantly alleviated these adverse effects, with 100 µmol·L⁻¹ being the most effective concentration among the tested doses. This treatment enhanced the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, reduced membrane lipid peroxidation, promoted the accumulation of compatible solutes for osmotic balance, and improved stomatal development. Overall, 100 µmol·L⁻¹ melatonin effectively enhanced salt tolerance in Petunia by regulating redox homeostasis and modulating stomatal characteristics. Full article

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