Special Issue "Agroecology and Sustainable Organic Farming Systems"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Sezai Ercisli
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Horticulture, Ataturk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
Interests: horticulture; plant genetic resources; plant biodiversity; sustainable agriculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recently, the term agroecology has mostly been used in scientific studies, and is considered to be one of the most important scientific disciplines—a series of cultural practices and/or a social movement aiming at developing cropping and farming systems based on the best use and conservation of natural resources and the minimum use of external inputs. Sustainable organic farming systems are also a topic of great research interest. There is a strong link between agroecology and sustainable organic farming systems because there is a series of agroecological principles that are highly recommended for planning organic farming systems. These include the optimization of soil nutrient cycling, the increase in soil organic matter and fertility, the reduction of dependency on external inputs, and aspects related to socio-economic equity and sustainability. Both agroecology and sustainable organic agriculture claim they can contribute to many challenges faced by agriculture today. Among these are the interrelated challenges of providing food security and preserving the environment. We welcome the results of original studies from different parts of the world including a large number of crop plants based on agroecology and sustainable organic farming systems. The submission of review papers by leading experts in these fields is also strongly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Sezai Ercisli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

Article
Effect of Pre-Harvest Organic Cytokinin Application on the Post-Harvest Physiology of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8258; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158258 - 23 Jul 2021
Viewed by 446
Abstract
Peppers are cultivated in almost all provinces in Turkey, making up approximately 7% of the world’s production. In this study, the effects of pre-harvest cytokinin application on the postharvest physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits (cv. Akra and Melek F1) grown [...] Read more.
Peppers are cultivated in almost all provinces in Turkey, making up approximately 7% of the world’s production. In this study, the effects of pre-harvest cytokinin application on the postharvest physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits (cv. Akra and Melek F1) grown in ecological conditions in Turkey (Van, eastern Turkey) were investigated. During the growing period, organic cytokinin(nytrozine) at two concentrations (50 and 100 ppm doses) was applied by spraying. Peppers were harvested in green maturity and then stored at 12 °C for 28 days. Changes in color, respiration rate, exogenous ethylene amount, antioxidative enzyme analysis (SOD, CAT and APX), lipid peroxidation, total phenolic content (TP) and antioxidant activity (AA) were determined just after the harvest and then at the 7th, 14th, 24th and 28th days. L* values for both varieties and the control sample had fluctuations during storage, and they slightly decreased after 28 days, except for the end value of cv. Melek F1 with a 50 ppm addition. In terms of respiration rate values, the difference between applications was found to be statistically significant, except for the 14th and 24th days of storage, for cv. Akra F1; and the 0th and 28th days for cv. Melek F1, respectively. It was observed that cytokinin can delay aging in peppers of both cultivars stored for 28 days. As a result, as the used cytokinin has an organic origin, is not synthetic and does not have a negative effect on human health, it can be used safely and without a significant loss of quality characteristics for peppers. These applications have positive effects on in-package gas composition, antioxidative enzymes, lipid peroxidation, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology and Sustainable Organic Farming Systems)
Article
Morphological and Biochemical Diversity in Fruits of Unsprayed Rosa canina and Rosa dumalis Ecotypes Found in Different Agroecological Conditions
Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 8060; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13148060 - 19 Jul 2021
Viewed by 355
Abstract
The Rosa is one of the most diverse genera in the plant kingdom and, in particular, its fruits have been used for multiple purposes in different parts of the world for centuries. Within the genus, Rosa canina and Rosa dumalis are, economically, the [...] Read more.
The Rosa is one of the most diverse genera in the plant kingdom and, in particular, its fruits have been used for multiple purposes in different parts of the world for centuries. Within the genus, Rosa canina and Rosa dumalis are, economically, the most important species and dominate Rosa fruit production. In this study, some important fruit and shrub traits of ten Rosa canina and ten Rosa dumalis ecotypes collected from rural areas of Kars province, located in the east Anatolia region of Turkey were investigated. We found significant differences among ecotypes in most of the morphological and biochemical traits. The ecotypes were found between 1446–2210 m altitude. Fruit weight and fruit flesh ratio ranged from 2.95 g to 4.72 g and 62.55% to 74.42%, respectively. SSC (Soluble Solid Content), Vitamin C, total phenolic, total flavonoid, total carotenoid, and total anthocyanin content of the ecotypes ranged from 16.9–22.7%, 430–690 mg per 100 g FW (fresh weight), 390–532 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g FW, 0.88–2.04 mg per g FW, 6.83–15.17 mg per g FW and 3.62–7.81 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent per kg, respectively. Antioxidant activity was determined to be between 19.7–34.7 mg ascorbic acid equivalent per g fresh weight. Rosa ecotypes contained chlorogenic acid and rutin the most as phenolic compound. Our results indicated great diversity within both R. canina and R. dumalis fruits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology and Sustainable Organic Farming Systems)
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Article
Fruit Quality Properties of the Local Apple Varieties of Anatolia
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6127; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116127 - 28 May 2021
Viewed by 787
Abstract
The importance of biochemical content of fruits in human health and nutrition is understood more and more day by day. In this study, new local varieties were added to apple genetic resources and the correlation between biochemical contents and agro-morphological properties of fruits [...] Read more.
The importance of biochemical content of fruits in human health and nutrition is understood more and more day by day. In this study, new local varieties were added to apple genetic resources and the correlation between biochemical contents and agro-morphological properties of fruits belonging to them was revealed. It was observed that the total phenolics amount varied between 20.13 (“Bag”) mg GAE kg−1 and 80.59 (“Yeşil”) mg GAE kg−1. The highest total antioxidant capacity was determined as 90.96% in “Yeşil” variety. Potassium (K) content, which is among the macronutrients, was determined as the highest value in “Bağ” variety (7993.31 mg kg−1) and in “Zuza” variety (7983.31 mg kg−1). It was determined that the Fe content (iron) varied between as 14.17 mg kg−1 (“Zuza”) and 5.75 mg kg−1 (“Bağ”) and was higher than other micronutrients. In the light of the results obtained in this study, it was concluded that fruits belonging to new local apple varieties are rich in biochemical contents and these varieties can be used as genetic resources in plant breeding studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology and Sustainable Organic Farming Systems)
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