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Nutrient Requirements and Fertilizer Management Strategies in Plant Cultivation, Second...
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Nutrient Requirements and Fertilizer Management Strategies in Plant Cultivation, Second Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 5285

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Lin Tang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sustainable Field Crops Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), 25198 Lleida, Spain
Interests: biofortification; crop science; food chemistry; forage production; fruit quality; greenhouse gases; ornamental plants; phytoremediation; plant abiotic stress; plant nutrition; plant physiology; rhizosphere microbiology; soil fertility; trace elements; wetlands
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Essential plant nutrients are critical for plant growth and reproduction; deficiencies in these nutrients may cause the plant growth cycle to fail. For plant cultivation, it is necessary to boost productivity through the addition of fertilizer, both to satisfy growth demands and increase or sustain yields. Nutrient diagnosis and soil testing, plant analysis, and crop canopy sensing are the main methods used for determining plant nutrition. Here, crucial steps are taken to manage the distribution of fertilizers to producers. Balanced fertilization refers to the application of plant nutrients in the optimum quantities and right proportions through appropriate methods and at the right times for a specific crop’s needs and agroclimatic conditions. The development of novel and sophisticated fertilization practices is a challenge for nutrient management. Nutrient management helps to prevent deficiencies, imbalance, or overuse of fertilizers; to improve plant nutrient use efficiency; and contributes to beneficial agronomic systems and environmentally safe plant cultivation.

In this Special Issue, we welcome the submission of interdisciplinary work in the format of original research papers, case studies, and review articles related to nutrient requirements and fertilizer management strategies in plant cultivation. Topics may range from the agronomic perspective to environmental considerations, aiming to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying nutrient utilization linked to plant performance. Studies addressing plant nutrient requirements at the physiological, molecular, and ecological levels are encouraged. Papers developing decision-support models using artificial intelligence systems based on machine learning to simulate and recommend fertilizer management strategies for precision agriculture will be highly appreciated.

Dr. Lin Tang
Guest Editor

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

  • fertilization
  • plant nutrition
  • nutrient sources
  • absorption efficiency
  • nutrient losses

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 2569 KB  
Article
Multivariate Analysis on Seven-Year Effects of Balanced N-P-K-Mg Fertilization on Productivity and Leaf Spot Incidence in Two Sweet Cherry Cultivars
by Ádám Csihon and Imre J. Holb
Plants 2026, 15(10), 1499; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15101499 - 14 May 2026
Abstract
Long-term balanced mineral fertilization is essential for sustainable sweet cherry production under variable climatic conditions. This seven-year field study (2016–2022) evaluated the effects of NP, NPK, and NPKMg fertilization including the control on six parameters: trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), fruit yield (FY), crop [...] Read more.
Long-term balanced mineral fertilization is essential for sustainable sweet cherry production under variable climatic conditions. This seven-year field study (2016–2022) evaluated the effects of NP, NPK, and NPKMg fertilization including the control on six parameters: trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), fruit yield (FY), crop load (CL), fruit diameter (FD), water-soluble dry matter content (BRIX), and cherry leaf spot incidence (CLS) in two sweet cherry cultivars (‘Vera’ and ‘Carmen’). TCSA increased continuously in both cultivars, while fertilization effects on growth, FY, CL, and FD varied among years and were significantly higher under NPK and NPKMg treatments compared with the control, particularly in specific years. Leaf spot incidence was reduced in the NPKMg treatment in epidemic years, although strong interannual and cultivar-dependent variability was observed, with ‘Carmen’ being more susceptible than ‘Vera’. Correlation and regression analyses revealed significant relationships among key traits, particularly for CL vs. FY, FD vs. CLS, TCSA vs. CLS, and BRIX vs. CL, indicating strong vegetative–generative interactions. Principal component analyses further showed that tree and fruit traits as well as disease incidence were structured along a limited number of integrated multivariate components explaining most of the variance. In conclusion, balanced fertilization improved productivity and partly reduced disease incidence, but treatment effects were strongly influenced by complex multivariate interactions and interannual climatic variability. These findings highlight the importance of integrative analytical approaches to optimize nutrient management under Central European conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Requirements and Fertilizer Management Strategies in Plant Cultivation, Second Edition)
15 pages, 1859 KB  
Article
Nutrition of Shade-Grown Coffee Plantations with Inorganic Fertilizers in Oaxaca, Mexico
by Miguel A. Cano-García, Verónica Mariles-Flores, Patricio Sánchez-Guzmán, Luis E. García-Mayoral, Rafael Ariza-Flores, Pedro Cadena-Iñiguez and Luis A. Gálvez-Marroquín
Plants 2026, 15(8), 1210; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15081210 - 15 Apr 2026
Viewed by 522
Abstract
Coffee (Coffea arabica) is a very important world commodity because of the countries involved in its production, along with the total cultivated area, production volume, consumption and economic impact. In Mexico, the coffee producing areas are located mainly in the hilly [...] Read more.
Coffee (Coffea arabica) is a very important world commodity because of the countries involved in its production, along with the total cultivated area, production volume, consumption and economic impact. In Mexico, the coffee producing areas are located mainly in the hilly terrain of southern Mexico under agroforestry systems predominantly owned by smallholders. Low productivity is faced especially in the state of Oaxaca as a result of inadequate management practices such as aged plantations and deficient practices of pruning and plant nutrition. In order to evaluate the effect of inorganic fertilization on coffee yield, an experiment was carried out at three plantations located in the coastal coffee producing region of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Six treatments considering varied amounts of inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and lime application were applied in coffee plantations with the varieties Typica and Oro azteca. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. The experiments were conducted in areas with three- or four-year-old plants, with the objective of having at least one harvest for yield evaluation. The variables’ plant height and coffee yield per plant were registered. The soil was classified based on soil profile description and lab analyses. The results showed that the soil in the study area is a Lithic Ustorthent with low pedogenic evolution and the application of inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium along with dolomitic lime, increased coffee yield on both varieties of arabica coffee: Typica and Oro azteca. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Requirements and Fertilizer Management Strategies in Plant Cultivation, Second Edition)
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16 pages, 2877 KB  
Article
Enhanced Stem Immobilization Mitigates Leaf Cadmium Accumulation and Modifies PSII Photochemistry in a Tobacco Line with Low Cadmium Accumulation
by Huagang Huang, Jinsong He, Denglu Liu, Haiying Yu, Lu Zhang and Tao Liu
Plants 2026, 15(3), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15030483 - 4 Feb 2026
Viewed by 544
Abstract
Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) has a propensity to accumulate cadmium (Cd), especially in its leaves, which can have a detrimental impact on yield, quality, and product safety. The development of low-accumulation cultivars is a vital mitigation approach; however, the underlying mechanisms remain [...] Read more.
Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) has a propensity to accumulate cadmium (Cd), especially in its leaves, which can have a detrimental impact on yield, quality, and product safety. The development of low-accumulation cultivars is a vital mitigation approach; however, the underlying mechanisms remain inadequately understood. In this study, through pot experiments, the physiological mechanisms responsible for the differential Cd accumulation between the low-accumulating tobacco line CF986 and the high-accumulating Yuyan5 were explored. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on the organ-specific Cd distribution, chemical speciation, subcellular compartmentalization, and photosynthetic responses across a gradient of Cd exposure. In comparison with Yuyan5, CF986 accumulated significantly higher amounts of Cd in the roots and stems, but substantially lower amounts in the leaves. Specifically, the Cd content in the leaves of CF986 was only 64.32–68.74% of that in Yuyan5 across different Cd exposure levels. The organ-specific Cd distribution pattern in CF986 followed the order: leaf > stem > root. Moreover, the proportion of Cd partitioned to the leaves was lower in CF986 compared to Yuyan5, while the roots and stems exhibited enhanced Cd retention, with Cd levels in stems reaching up to 2.04 times higher than those in Yuyan5. Analysis of the chemical forms and subcellular distribution of Cd indicated that the mobile Cd fractions in the stems of CF986 were significantly reduced compared to Yuyan5. A larger proportion of Cd was immobilized in the stem cell-wall fraction, which enhanced Cd retention and restricted xylem-mediated transport to the leaves. Cd exposure did not significantly affect the concentration of foliar photosynthetic pigments in CF986; however, it notably inhibited the activity of the photosystem II (PSII) reaction center. At higher Cd levels, the photoprotective thermal dissipation gradually failed, with a decrease of up to 41.36% in ΦNO for CF986 compared to CK under Cd4.0 treatment. This research unveiled a stem barrier mechanism, whereby Cd translocation to the leaves is restricted through chemical and subcellular sequestration in the stem. This mechanism provides a novel perspective on both plant heavy metal allocation and the assurance of crop safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Requirements and Fertilizer Management Strategies in Plant Cultivation, Second Edition)
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21 pages, 2569 KB  
Article
Synergistic Effects of Selenium and Silicon Nanoparticles on Peach Quality Enhancement and Se Biofortification Through Foliar Application
by Ziyang Wang, Bilal Hussain, Xin Wang, Yasir Hamid, Jiali Zhang, Muhammad Bilal Khan, Zhenli He and Xiaoe Yang
Plants 2025, 14(23), 3669; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233669 - 2 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 865
Abstract
Selenium (Se) biofortification represents a critical strategy for addressing micronutrient deficiency while enhancing fruit nutritional quality. This study investigated foliar applications of Se and Si nanoparticles (NPs) for peach Se biofortification and quality enhancement. Se NPs (95.2 nm) were synthesized and characterized using [...] Read more.
Selenium (Se) biofortification represents a critical strategy for addressing micronutrient deficiency while enhancing fruit nutritional quality. This study investigated foliar applications of Se and Si nanoparticles (NPs) for peach Se biofortification and quality enhancement. Se NPs (95.2 nm) were synthesized and characterized using SEM, EDS, and FTIR analyses. Six treatments were applied: control (Ck), SeNPs-5, SeNPs-10, SiNPs-10, Se5Si10, and Se10Si10. SeNPs-10 achieved maximum Se biofortification (0.47 mg kg−1), representing 5.4-fold increases over controls, with 85% organic Se accumulation. Combined treatments demonstrated synergistic effects on multiple quality parameters. Se5Si10 led to the highest antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase: 2254 U g−1, catalase: 61.7 U g−1) and phenolic compound enhancement (chlorogenic acid: 267 mg kg−1, total phenolics: 12.8 mg GAE g−1). Flavonoid biosynthesis was optimized with Se10Si10 achieving maximum rutin accumulation (53.9 mg kg−1) and ascorbic acid content (60.7 mg/100 g). Physical quality improvements included enhanced firmness (100.9 N cm−2) and sugar accumulation (14.1% soluble solids). Combined treatments reduced oxidative stress markers (MDA: 22.11 μmol g−1) while enhancing protein metabolism. These findings demonstrate that Se-Si nanoparticle combinations showed optimal biofortification with synergistic quality enhancement, establishing effective strategies for nutritionally enriched peach production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Requirements and Fertilizer Management Strategies in Plant Cultivation, Second Edition)
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17 pages, 3339 KB  
Article
Magnesium Plus Hydrogen Fertilization Enhances Mg Uptake, Growth Performance and Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus
by Chaoqin Ou, Xinmin Qiu, Qian Zhao, Ding Ding, Yaojie Zhang, Ji De, Yuliang Wang, Kexuan Tang, Haiyan Yang and Qifang Pan
Plants 2025, 14(21), 3336; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213336 - 31 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 975
Abstract
Magnesium and hydrogen fertilization have been reported to contribute to plant growth and metabolite production. Simultaneous fertilization of magnesium and hydrogen is a promising strategy for plant development and secondary metabolism, but remains unexplored in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don, which produces varieties of [...] Read more.
Magnesium and hydrogen fertilization have been reported to contribute to plant growth and metabolite production. Simultaneous fertilization of magnesium and hydrogen is a promising strategy for plant development and secondary metabolism, but remains unexplored in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don, which produces varieties of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs). This study conducted a glasshouse experiment comprising five treatments: MgO, MgSO4, MgH2, magnesium powder (MgP), and the control, to investigate and compare the effects of Mg fertilizers and Mg plus H2 fertilizers on soil pH, Mg uptake, seed germination, plant growth, and MIA biosynthesis in C. roseus. Application of MgH2, MgP, and MgO fertilizers significantly raised soil pH to 6.14~6.38. MgH2 and MgP fertilization significantly increased plant weight by 60% and 29% over the control, respectively. MgH2 and MgP produced greater increases in Mg content, chlorophyll content, plant height, and weight than MgO and MgSO4. Four fertilizers up-regulated the expression of most MIA biosynthetic genes, especially those in the vindoline pathway. Among them, MgH2 yielded the highest contents of catharanthine, vindoline, and ajmalicine, reaching 167%, 149% and 517% of the control, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations among H2 release, soil pH, and Mg uptake, as well as with plant growth and MIA content. These findings suggest that Mg plus H2 fertilizers released H2 and increased soil pH to promote Mg uptake, chlorophyll contents, plant growth, and MIA production in C. roseus, highlighting the potential of MgH2 and Mg powder as innovative fertilizers to enhance alkaloid yields in medicinal plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Requirements and Fertilizer Management Strategies in Plant Cultivation, Second Edition)
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21 pages, 5363 KB  
Article
Organic Fertilizers Promote Accumulation of Mineral Nutrients in Citrus Leaves by Affecting Soil Biochemical Properties and Bacteria
by Lei Yang, Min Wang, Jianjun Yu, Shuang Li and Lin Hong
Plants 2025, 14(18), 2826; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14182826 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1716
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the influence of different organic fertilizers and their concentrations on the growth of ‘Orah’ (Citrus reticulata Blanco) seedlings, as well as on the mineral nutrient contents, chemical and biological properties, and microbial community of the [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the influence of different organic fertilizers and their concentrations on the growth of ‘Orah’ (Citrus reticulata Blanco) seedlings, as well as on the mineral nutrient contents, chemical and biological properties, and microbial community of the soil. Five types of organic fertilizers and three concentrations were studied. The seedling growth indexes, leaf mineral elements, soil mineral elements, soil enzyme activity, and soil microorganisms were measured. The results showed that organic fertilization significantly increased the contents of eight mineral elements in leaves, depending on the types and concentrations used. Specifically, rapeseed cake fertilizer was found to significantly increase the content of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in the leaves. Furthermore, compared with applying only chemical fertilizers or no fertilizers at all, the application of organic fertilizer significantly increased the content of soil organic matter (SOM) and several mineral elements in the soil. The bacterial species composition of soil treated with common organic fertilizer and bio-organic fertilizer, and sheep manure were similar; however, the bacterial composition was significantly different in the soil which been treated with rapeseed cake compared to these other three fertilizers. Additionally, PICRUSt function predicting indicates that the core microbial community in the rapeseed cake group could promote synthesis and the transport of sugar, iron and other substances. Organic fertilizer can change soil chemical and biological properties by affecting the core microbial community structure, and further promote accumulation of mineral elements in the leaves of citrus seedlings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Requirements and Fertilizer Management Strategies in Plant Cultivation, Second Edition)
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