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Developments in Sustainable Horticulture: Resilience, Resource Protection and Rewards

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural Science and Ornamental Plants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2026) | Viewed by 19644

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Michelle Mak

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Guest Editor

School of Science, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury, NSW 2753, Australia
Interests: horticulture; abiotic stresses; agricultural plant science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Christopher Cazzonelli

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Guest Editor

Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia
Interests: carotenoid biology; mechanical stress; epigenetics; plant physiology; molecular biology; crop nutrition; postharvest; horticulture; protected cropping; tree genomics; climate change; stress acclimation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable horticulture is a multifaceted endeavour worthy of pursuit as we move closer to a single, globalised society with an immediate need for higher food production per area of land, lower resource use and higher production efficiencies, higher standards of living per capita, longer and healthier life expectancy and greater environmental protection, all whilst facing extreme climate events and changing consumer and labour force expectations.

The themes that need to be addressed in order to deliver resilience, resource protection and reward targets include, but are not limited to, the following: increasing plant resource use efficiency, mitigating environmental stressors and risks associated with pests, diseases and biotic resistances, enhancing nutritional outcomes and breeding better crops for diverse growth scenarios, embracing new crop development and indigenous crops, protecting pollinators and ecosystem services, encouraging technology adoption, reducing barriers to entry, educating a willing and engaged labour force, enhancing returns on investment, exploring omics-rich data for enhanced understanding and sharing knowledge and experience from all corners of the globe.

Designing, building and maintaining sustainable horticulture systems requires a collaborative effort from multiple stakeholders. It requires problem solving to move beyond the multidisciplinary (many but siloed) and interdisciplinary (collaborative efforts across disciplines) approaches and to embrace a transdisciplinary model that considers complex, problem-orientated research that includes non-academic end-users and environments.

This Special Issue calls for original research manuscripts and “thorough and thought-provoking” reviews that will enrich the readership through innovative developments in sustainable horticulture systems. We encourage the investigation of novel solutions, industry-inclusive collaborations, blue-sky research and applied sciences.

Dr. Michelle Mak
Dr. Christopher Cazzonelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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 plants
resilience
resource protection
sustainable horticulture

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

21 pages, 2055 KB

Open AccessArticle

Microalgae-Based Biostimulants Improve Biomass Production and Root-Linked Performance Stability in Pelargonium: A Three-Year Greenhouse Study

by Attila Németh, Wogene Kabato, Nándor Horváth, Norbert Fehér and Zoltán Molnár

Plants 2026, 15(5), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15050803 - 5 Mar 2026

Viewed by 198

Abstract

Microalgae-based biostimulants may help reduce inputs in protected ornamental production, yet evidence across multiple growing seasons remains limited. We conducted a three-year polytunnel trial with six Pelargonium cultivars and applied two strains from the Mosonmagyaróvár Algal Culture Collection (MACC-612, Nostoc piscinale; MACC-922, Chlorella vulgaris). Using a factorial general linear model, we detected significant treatment effects on total dry mass, root mass, plant height, and root-collar diameter (all p < 0.001). Relative to the control, dry mass increased by 19.2% with MACC-612 and 33.1% with MACC-922, while root mass increased by >22% under both treatments. Root-collar diameter was strongly associated with overall plant size (R² = 0.89). Treatment × year interactions were not significant (p > 0.05), providing no statistical evidence of season-specific treatment effects within the three-year trial. Cultivars differed mainly in response magnitude rather than direction. Overall, microalgae applications improved biomass accumulation and root-linked structural traits associated with plant vigor under this production system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Sustainable Horticulture: Resilience, Resource Protection and Rewards)

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19 pages, 3546 KB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term and Short-Term Forecasting of Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta) Trap Catches from Apple Orchards in South Korea Using Time Series Models

by Steven Kim and Seong Heo

Plants 2026, 15(4), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040624 - 16 Feb 2026

Viewed by 327

Abstract

The oriental fruit moth (OFM), also known as Grapholita molesta, is a major agricultural pest causing significant economic loss of apple growers in South Korea. This study demonstrates the application of time series models for describing the national and regional patterns of OFM occurrences in the last decade and for forecasting future OFM occurrences. The seasonal autoregression integrated moving average (SARIMA), Prophet, and vector autoregressive (VAR) models are compared for both long- and short-term predictions. The analysis shows that short-term predictions are more reliable than long-term predictions for the number of OMF trap catches, and the multivariate time series model does not necessarily provide better predictive performance with province-level aggregated data. Though the Prophet and VAR model fits bimonthly province-level data better than the SARIMA model, the VAR model shows poor predictive performance, and the SARIMA model showed as or more reliable predictions than the Prophet model in this study. This study presents both the potential and challenges for establishing a Smart Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system capable of monitoring and predicting OFM occurrences and implementing regional pest control strategies. The usefulness of time series analysis can be leveraged by frequent orchard-level data reporting, pest management records, and precise local environment information. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Sustainable Horticulture: Resilience, Resource Protection and Rewards)

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14 pages, 679 KB

Open AccessArticle

Living Mulches, Rolled Cover Crops, and Plastic Mulch: Effects on Soil Properties, Weed Suppression, and Yield in Organic Strawberry Systems

by Arianna Bozzolo, Jacob Pecenka and Andrew Smith

Plants 2025, 14(21), 3385; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213385 - 5 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 766

Abstract

Plastic mulch is widely used in organic strawberry production but raises sustainability concerns due to its persistence, disposal challenges, and contribution to microplastic pollution. This study evaluated the potential of high-residue cover crops and living mulches as alternatives to plastic mulch in coastal California. Over two seasons (2022–2024), we compared five mulching treatments: black polyethylene mulch (Plastic); a white clover (Trifolium repens) living mulch (Clover); two roller-crimped sorghum–sudangrass and field pea mixtures (Sorghum 1, Sorghum 2); and a roller-crimped buckwheat–pea mixture (Buckwheat). The objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments on (i) soil properties and biological indicators, (ii) weed suppression, and (iii) strawberry yield in organic systems. A schematic timeline was developed to depict cover-crop growth, termination, and strawberry production across both years. Compost (10 t·ha⁻¹) and fish emulsion (5–1–1 NPK, 4 L·ha⁻¹ biweekly) were applied to all treatments during fruiting. Sorghum residues produced the highest biomass (up to 23 t·ha⁻¹) and supported yields comparable to plastic mulch in 2023. Under lower-yield conditions in 2024, sorghum-based treatments outperformed plastic. Soil responses were modest and time-point specific: Sorghum 1 showed higher organic C and organic N pre-harvest in 2023, and both sorghum treatments increased soil organic matter pre-harvest in 2024. Biological indicators such as CO₂–C and microbially active carbon declined seasonally across all treatments, indicating strong temporal control. Weed outcomes diverged by system—Clover suppressed weeds effectively but reduced yield by >50% due to competition, while Buckwheat decomposed rapidly and provided limited late-season suppression. These results demonstrate that rolled high-residue cover crops, particularly sorghum-based systems, can reduce dependence on plastic mulch while maintaining yields and enhancing soil cover. Living mulches and short-lived covers may complement residue systems when managed to minimize competition and extend ground cover. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Sustainable Horticulture: Resilience, Resource Protection and Rewards)

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17 pages, 1847 KB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of Freezing Injury Grade Index for Nanfeng Tangerine Plants Based on Physiological and Biochemical Parameters

by Chao Xu, Buchun Liu, Yuting Wang and Zhongdong Hu

Plants 2024, 13(21), 3109; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13213109 - 4 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1444

Abstract

Low-temperature freezing stress constitutes the most significant meteorological disaster during the overwintering period in the Nanfeng Tangerine (NT) production area, severely impacting the normal growth and development of the plants. Currently, the accuracy of meteorological disaster warnings and forecasts for NT orchards remains suboptimal, primarily due to the absence of quantitative meteorological indicators for low-temperature freezing stress. Therefore, this study employed NT plants as experimental subjects and conducted controlled treatment experiments under varying intensities of low-temperature freezing stress (0 °C, −2 °C, −5 °C, −7 °C, and −9 °C) and durations (1 h, 4 h, and 7 h). Subsequently, physiological and biochemical parameters were measured, including photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, reactive oxygen species, osmoregulatory substances, and antioxidant enzyme activities in NT plants. The results demonstrated that low-temperature freezing stress adversely affected the photosynthetic system of NT plants, disrupted the dynamic equilibrium of the antioxidant system, and compromised cellular stability. The severity of freezing damage increased with decreasing temperature and prolonged exposure. Chlorophyll (a/b) ratio (Chl (a/b)), maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F_v/F_m), soluble sugar, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were identified as key indicators for assessing physiological and biochemical changes in NT plants. Utilizing these four parameters, a comprehensive score (CS) model of freezing damage was developed to quantitatively evaluate the growth status of NT plants across varying low-temperature freezing damage gradients and durations. Subsequently, the freezing damage grade index for NT plants during the overwintering period was established. Specifically, Level 1 for CS ≤ −0.50, Level 2 for −0.5 < CS ≤ 0, Level 3 for 0 < CS ≤ 0.5, and Level 4 for 0.5 < CS. The research results provide valuable data for agricultural meteorological departments to carry out disaster monitoring, early warning, and prevention and control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Sustainable Horticulture: Resilience, Resource Protection and Rewards)

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18 pages, 2344 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Vanilla planifolia: Artificial and Insect Pollination, Floral Guides and Volatiles

by Sahar Van Dyk, Williams Barry McGlasson, Mark Williams, Robert Spooner-Hart and Paul Holford

Plants 2024, 13(21), 2977; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13212977 - 25 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5330

Abstract

The natural pollinator of the major species of commercially-grown vanilla, Vanilla planifolia, is unknown, and the crop requires hand pollination to achieve significant levels of fruit set; however, the traditional technique (using a toothpick) is costly, as it requires skilled personnel. To overcome this problem, two native Australian bees, Tetragonula carbonaria and Austroplebeia australis, and the blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, were trialled as pollinators. Three alternatives to the toothpick method were also trialled. The appearance of vanilla flowers under ultraviolet radiation was examined to determine the presence of cryptic pollination guides, and the chemical composition of nectar from extrafloral nectaries and aroma volatiles from the flowers were characterised. None of the three insects effected pollination due to their small size and behaviour; other insect pollinators need to be identified. The alternative mechanical methods of pollination trialled resulted in fruit set; however, the percentages of fruit set were lower than the traditional toothpick method, and the fruit were of inferior quality. The nectar produced predominantly consisted of sucrose and melezitose. Melezitose is a strong attractant of various ant species, which may explain the concentration of ants around the nectaries and the apparent lack of nectar production in part of this study. The aroma volatiles included monoterpenoids, terpenes, sesquiterpenoids, aromatics, nitrogen-containing compounds and fatty acids, the most abundant being a-pinene and eucalyptol. Illumination of the flowers with UV-A radiation revealed fluorescence from the stamens, the column and the callus, which is located on the labellum. These observations may aid the identification and use of potential pollinators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Sustainable Horticulture: Resilience, Resource Protection and Rewards)

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21 pages, 1028 KB

Open AccessArticle

Screening Cover Crops for Utilization in Irrigated Vineyards: A Greenhouse Study on Species’ Nitrogen Uptake and Carbon Sequestration Potential

by Mehdi Sharifi, Khaled Salimi, Daniel Rosa and Miranda Hart

Plants 2024, 13(14), 1959; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141959 - 17 Jul 2024

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2469

Abstract

This study examines the potential of 23 plant species, comprising 10 legumes, 9 grasses, and 4 forbs, as cover crops to enhance carbon (C) sequestration and soil nitrogen (N) in vineyards. After a 120-day evaluation period, cover crop biomass was incorporated into the soil, and grapevine seedlings were planted in its place. Among the established cover crops, the C input potential ranged from 0.267 to 1.69 Mg ha⁻¹, and the N input potential ranged from 12.3 to 114 kg ha⁻¹. Legume species exhibited up to threefold greater shoot dry weight (SDW) compared to grass species. Ladino white clover, Dutch white clover, and Clover blend were superior in SDW, total dry weight (TDW), total C content, and total N content. Legumes exhibited slightly higher root dry weight (RDW) than grasses, with the exception of Fall rye leading at 15 g pot⁻¹, followed by Ladino white clover and Dutch white clover at an average of 12 g pot⁻¹. Legumes, particularly clover blend and Alsike clover, displayed high shoot N concentration at an average of 2.95%. Root N concentration in Legumes (Fabaceae) were significantly higher at 1.82% compared to other plant families at 0.89%, while their root C/N ratio was lower at 18.3, contrasting with others at 27.7, resulting in a faster turnover. Biomass production exhibited a negative relationship (R² = 0.51) with soil residual NO₃⁻. Fall rye, Winfred brassica, and buckwheat had the highest N utilization efficiency (NU_tE) values (ava. 121 g g⁻¹). Alsike clover, Ladino white clover, and clover blend showed the highest N uptake efficiency (NU_pE) values (ava. 75%). The Readily Available N (RAN) Reliance Index (RANRI) is introduced as a novel indicator for quantifying the extent to which a plant relies on RAN for its total N requirement. The RANRI value represents the percentage of the plant’s total N sourced from RAN, ranging from 11% for legumes to 86% for grasses. This implies a substantial influx of nitrogen through a pathway independent of RAN in legumes. Grape shoot N concentration positively correlated with soil NO₃⁻ (R² = 0.31) and cover crop C/N ratio (R² = 0.17) but negatively correlated with cover crop TDW (R² = 0.31). This study highlights legume plants as more effective in C and N assimilation during establishment but cautions about potential soil mineral N depletion before reaching their full biological N fixation capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Sustainable Horticulture: Resilience, Resource Protection and Rewards)

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15 pages, 4585 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bacterial Spermosphere Inoculants Alter N. benthamiana-Plant Physiology and Host Bacterial Microbiome

by Andrea Sanchez Barrios, Derek Lundberg, Laura de Lorenzo, B Kirtley Amos, Meera Nair, Arthur Hunt and Seth DeBolt

Plants 2024, 13(12), 1677; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121677 - 18 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2093

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the interplay between the spermosphere inoculum, host plant physiology, and endophytic compartment (EC) microbial community. Using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of root, stem, and leaf endophytic compartment communities, we established a baseline microbiome for Nicotiana sp. Phenotypic differences were observed due to the addition of some bacterial inoculants, correlated with endogenous auxin loads using transgenic plants expressing the auxin reporter pB-GFP::P87. When applied as spermosphere inoculants, select bacteria were found to create reproducible variation within the root EC microbiome and, more systematically, the host plant physiology. Our findings support the assertion that the spermosphere of plants is a zone that can influence the EC microbiome when applied in a greenhouse setting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Sustainable Horticulture: Resilience, Resource Protection and Rewards)

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Review

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21 pages, 3979 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

From Flourish to Nourish: Cultivating Soil Health for Sustainable Floriculture

by Peihua Zhang, Jie Zhou, Di He, Yiran Yang, Zhenhong Lu, Chunmei Yang, Dongdong Zhang, Fan Li and Jihua Wang

Plants 2024, 13(21), 3055; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13213055 - 31 Oct 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4622

Abstract

Despite its rapid growth and economic success, the sustainability of the floriculture industry as it is presently conducted is debatable, due to the huge environmental impacts it initiates and incurs. Achieving sustainability requires joint efforts from all stakeholders, a fact that is often neglected in discussions that frequently focus upon economically driven management concerns. This review attempts to raise awareness and collective responsibility among the key practitioners in floriculture by discussing its sustainability in the context of soil health, as soil is the foundation of agriculture systems. Major challenges posed to soil health arise from soil acidification and salinization stimulated by the abusive use of fertilizers. The poisoning of soil biota by pesticide residues and plastic debris due to the excessive application of pesticides and disposal of plastics is another significant issue and concern. The consequence of continuous cropping obstacles are further elucidated by the concept of plant-soil feedback. Based on these challenges, we propose the adoption and implementation of several sustainable practices including breeding stress-resistant and nutrient-efficient cultivars, making sustainable soil management a goal of floriculture production, and the recycling of plastics to overcome and mitigate the decline in soil health. The problems created by flower waste materials are highlighted and efficient treatment by biochar synthesis is suggested. We acknowledge the complexity of developing and implementing the proposed practices in floriculture as there is limited collaboration among the research and operational communities, and the policymakers. Additional research examining the impacts the floriculture industry has upon soils is needed to develop more sustainable production practices that can help resolve the current threats and to bridge the understanding gap between researchers and stakeholders in floriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in Sustainable Horticulture: Resilience, Resource Protection and Rewards)

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