Search Results (433)

This study aims to evaluate eco-innovative solutions in the fertilizer industry that allow for waste valorization in the context of a resource-efficient circular economy. A comprehensive reuse strategy was developed for low-rank peat and post-cultivation horticultural mineral wool, involving the extraction of valuable humic substances from peat and residual nutrients from used mineral wool, followed by the use of both post-extraction residues to produce organic–mineral substrates. The resulting products/semifinished products were characterized in terms of their composition and properties, which met the requirements necessary to obtain the admission of this type of product to the market in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of 18 June 2008 on the implementation of certain provisions of the Act on fertilizers and fertilization (Journal of Laws No 119, item 765). Elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and solid-state CP-MAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy suggest that post-extraction peat has a relatively condensed structure with a high C content (47.4%) and a reduced O/C atomic ratio and is rich in alkyl-like matter (63.2%) but devoid of some functional groups in favor of extracted fulvic acids. Therefore, it remains a valuable organic biowaste, which, in combination with post-extraction waste mineral wool in a ratio of 60:40 and possibly the addition of mineral nutrients, allows us to obtain a completely new substrate with a bulk density of 264 g/m³, a salinity of 7.8 g/dm³ and a pH of 5.3, with an appropriate content of heavy metals and with no impurities, meeting the requirements of this type of product. A liquid fertilizer based on an extract containing previously recovered nutrients also meets the criteria in terms of quality and content of impurities and can potentially be used as a fertilizing product suitable for agricultural crops. This study demonstrates a feasible pathway for transforming specific waste streams into valuable agricultural inputs, contributing to environmental protection and sustainable production. The production of a new liquid fertilizer using nutrients recovered from post-cultivation mineral wool and the preparation of an organic–mineral substrate using post-extraction solid residue is a rational strategy for recycling hard-to-biodegrade end-of-life products. Full article

Enhancing the yield and qualitative traits of horticultural crops without further hampering the environment constitutes an urgent challenge that could be addressed by implementing innovative agronomic tools, such as plant biostimulants. This study investigated the effects of three commercial biostimulants—BIO1 (fulvic/humic acids), BIO2 (leonardite-humic acids), and BIO3 (plant-based extracts)—on leaf ecophysiology, yield, and fruit quality in two raspberry cultivars, ‘Autumn Bliss’ (AB) and ‘Zeva’ (Z), grown in an open-field context, to assess their effectiveness in raspberry cultivation. Experimental activities involved two Research Years (RYs), namely, year 2023 (RY 1) and 2024 (RY 2). Leaf parameters such as chlorophyll, flavonols, anthocyanins, and the Nitrogen Balance Index (NBI) were predominantly influenced by the interaction between Treatment, Year and Cultivar factors, indicating context-dependent responses rather than direct biostimulant effects. BIO2 showed a tendency to increase yield (g plant⁻¹) and berry number plant⁻¹, particularly in RY 2 (417.50 g plant⁻¹, +33.93% vs. control). Fruit quality responses were cultivar and time-specific: BIO3 improved soluble solid content in AB (12.8 °Brix, RY 2, Intermediate Harvest) and Z (11.43 °Brix, +13.91% vs. BIO2). BIO2 reduced titratable acidity in AB (3.12 g L⁻¹) and increased pH in Z (3.02, RY 2) but also decreased °Brix in Z. These findings highlight the potential of biostimulants to modulate raspberry physiology and productivity but underscore the critical role of cultivar, environmental conditions, and specific biostimulant composition in determining the outcomes, which were found to critically depend on tailored application strategies. Full article

Anthocyanins, a subclass of flavonoid pigments, impart vivid red, purple, and blue coloration to horticultural plants, playing essential roles in ornamental enhancement, stress resistance, and pollinator attraction. Recent studies have identified B-box (BBX) proteins as a critical class of transcription factors (TFs) involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Despite these advances, comprehensive reviews systematically addressing BBX proteins are urgently needed, especially given the complexity and diversity of their roles in regulating anthocyanin production. In this paper, we provide an in-depth overview of the fundamental structures, biological functions, and classification of BBX TFs, along with a detailed description of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways and bioactivities. Furthermore, we emphasize the diverse molecular mechanisms through which BBX TFs regulate anthocyanin accumulation, including direct activation or repression of target genes, indirect modulation via interacting protein complexes, and co-regulation with other transcriptional regulators. Additionally, we summarize the known upstream regulatory signals and downstream target genes of BBX TFs, highlighting their significance in shaping anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways. Understanding these regulatory networks mediated by BBX proteins will not only advance fundamental horticultural science but also provide valuable insights for enhancing the aesthetic quality, nutritional benefits, and stress adaptability of horticultural crops. Full article

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is a globally destructive plant-parasitic nematode that severely impedes the sustainable production of horticultural crops. Metabolic reprogramming in plant roots represents the host response to M. incognita infection that can also be exploited by the nematode to facilitate its parasitism. In this study, untargeted metabolomics was employed to analyze metabolic changes in cucumber roots following nematode inoculation, with the goal of identifying differentially accumulated metabolites that may influence M. incognita behavior. Metabolomic analysis revealed that M. incognita significantly altered the cucumber root metabolome, triggering an accumulation of lipids and organic acids and enriching biotic stress-related pathways such as alkaloid biosynthesis and linoleic acid metabolism. Among differentially accumulated metabolites, myristic acid and hexadecanal were selected for further study due to their potential roles in nematode inhibition. In vitro assays demonstrated that both metabolites suppressed egg hatching and reduced infectivity of M. incognita, while pot experiments indicated a correlation between their application and reduced root gall formation. Chemotaxis assays further revealed that both metabolites exerted repellent effects on the chemotactic migration of M. incognita J2 and suppressed the transcriptional expression of two motility-and feeding-related neuropeptides, Mi-flp-1 and Mi-flp-18. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the significant potential of differentially accumulated metabolites induced by M. incognita infection for nematode disease control, achieved by interfering with nematode chemotaxis and subsequent infection. This work also provides deeper insights into the metabolomic mechanisms underlying the cucumber-M. incognita interaction. Full article

Indoor horticulture requires a substantial quantity of electricity to meet crops extended photoperiodic requirements for optimal photosynthetic rate. Simultaneously, global electricity costs have grown dramatically in recent years, endangering the sustainability and profitability of indoor vertical farms and/or modern greenhouses that use artificial lighting systems to accelerate crop development and growth. This study investigates the growth rate and physiological development of cherry tomato plants cultivated in a pilot indoor vertical farm at the Agricultural University of Athens’ Laboratory of Farm Structures (AUA) under continuous and disruptive lighting. The leaf physiological traits from multiple photoperiodic stress treatments were analyzed and utilized to estimate the plant’s tolerance rate under varied illumination conditions. Four different photoperiodic treatments were examined and compared, firstly plants grew under 14 h of continuous light (C-14L10D/control), secondly plants grew under a normalized photoperiod of 14 h with intermittent light intervals of 10 min of light followed by 50 min of dark (NI-14L10D/stress), the third treatment where plants grew under 14 h of a load-shifted energy demand response intermittent lighting schedule (LSI-14L10D/stress) and finally plants grew under 13 h photoperiod following of a load-shifted energy demand response intermittent lighting schedule (LSI-13L11D/stress). Plants were subjected also under two different light spectra for all the treatments, specifically WHITE and Blue/Red/Far-red light composition. The aim was to develop flexible, energy-efficient lighting protocols that maintain crop productivity while reducing electricity consumption in indoor settings. Results indicated that short periods of disruptive light did not negatively impact physiological responses, and plants exhibited tolerance to abiotic stress induced by intermittent lighting. Post-harvest data indicated that intermittent lighting regimes maintained or enhanced growth compared to continuous lighting, with spectral composition further influencing productivity. Plants under LSI-14L10D and B/R/FR spectra produced up to 93 g fresh fruit per plant and 30.4 g dry mass, while consuming up to 16 kWh less energy than continuous lighting—highlighting the potential of flexible lighting strategies for improved energy-use efficiency. Full article

The integration of digital twin technology with robotic automation holds significant promise for advancing sustainable horticulture in controlled environment agriculture. This article presents DigiHortiRobot, a novel AI-driven digital twin architecture tailored for hydroponic greenhouse systems. The proposed framework integrates real-time sensing, predictive modeling, task planning, and dual-arm robotic execution within a modular, IoT-enabled infrastructure. DigiHortiRobot is structured into three progressive implementation phases: (i) monitoring and data acquisition through a multimodal perception system; (ii) decision support and virtual simulation for scenario analysis and intervention planning; and (iii) autonomous execution with feedback-based model refinement. The Physical Layer encompasses crops, infrastructure, and a mobile dual-arm robot; the virtual layer incorporates semantic modeling and simulation environments; and the synchronization layer enables continuous bi-directional communication via a nine-tier IoT architecture inspired by FIWARE standards. A robot task assignment algorithm is introduced to support operational autonomy while maintaining human oversight. The system is designed to optimize horticultural workflows such as seeding and harvesting while allowing farmers to interact remotely through cloud-based interfaces. Compared to previous digital agriculture approaches, DigiHortiRobot enables closed-loop coordination among perception, simulation, and action, supporting real-time task adaptation in dynamic environments. Experimental validation in a hydroponic greenhouse confirmed robust performance in both seeding and harvesting operations, achieving over 90% accuracy in localizing target elements and successfully executing planned tasks. The platform thus provides a strong foundation for future research in predictive control, semantic environment modeling, and scalable deployment of autonomous systems for high-value crop production. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is a versatile plant with applications in various sectors such as agriculture, medicine, food, and cosmetics. The therapeutic properties of cannabis are often linked to its secondary compounds. The worldwide cannabis market is undergoing swift changes due to varying legal frameworks. Medicinal cannabis (as a heterozygous and dioecious species) is distinct from most annual crops grown in controlled environments, typically propagated through stem cutting rather than seeds to ensure genetic uniformity. Consequently, as with any commercially cultivated crop, biomass yield plays a crucial role in overall productivity. The key factors involved in cultivation conditions, such as successful root establishment, stress tolerance, and the production cycle duration, are critical for safeguarding, improving, and optimizing plant yield. Grafting is a long-established horticultural practice that mechanically joins the scion and rootstock of distinct genetic origins by merging their vascular systems. This approach can mitigate undesirable traits by leveraging the strengths of particular plants, proving beneficial to various applications. Grafting is not used commercially in Cannabis. Only three very recent investigations suggest that grafting holds significant promise for enhancing both the agronomic and medicinal potential of Cannabis. This review critically examines the latest advancements in cannabis grafting and explores prospects for improving biomass (stem, root, flower, etc.) yield and secondary metabolite production. Full article

In wet subtropical environments, perennial groundcovers are common in horticultural plantations to protect the soil from erosion. However, there has been little investigation into whether seeding annual cover crops into the perennial groundcovers provides additional soil services including carbon and nutrient cycling in these systems. To investigate this, farmer participatory field trials were conducted in commercial avocado, macadamia, and coffee plantations in the wet Australian subtropics. Cover crops were direct-seeded into existing inter-row groundcovers in winter (cool season cover crops), and into the same plots the following summer (warm season cover crops). Inter-row biomass was quantified at the end of winter and summer in the control (no cover crop) and cover crops treatments. Soil carbon and nutrient cycling parameters including hot water extractable carbon, water soluble carbon, autoclavable citrate-extractable protein and soil enzyme activities were quantified every two months from early spring (September) 2021 to late autumn (May) 2022. Seeded cover crops produced 500 to 800 kg ha⁻¹ more total inter-row biomass over winter at the avocado coffee sites, and 3000 kg ha⁻¹ biomass in summer at the coffee site. However, they had no effect on biomass production in either season at the macadamia site. Soil functional parameters changed with season (i.e., time of sampling), with few significant effects of cover crop treatments on soil function parameters across the three sits. Growing a highly productive annual summer cover crop at the coffee site led to suppression and death of perennial groundcovers, exposing bare soil in the inter-row by 3 weeks after termination of the summer cover crop. Annual cover crops seeded into existing perennial groundcovers in tree crop systems had few significant impacts on soil biological function over the 12-month period, and their integration needs careful management to avoid investment losses and exacerbating the risk of soil erosion on sloping lands in the wet subtropics. Full article

Curcuma spp. is a popular ornamental crop valued for its vibrant appearance and suitability for both regular and off-season production. As global emphasis on freshwater conservation increases and with a demand for compact potted plants, reducing water use while maintaining high aesthetic quality presents a key challenge for horticulturists. Potassium silicate (PS) has been proposed as a foliar spray to alleviate plant water stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PS on growth, ornamental traits, and photosynthetic parameters of off-season potted Curcuma cv. ‘Jasmine Pink’ under deficit irrigation (DI). Plants were subjected to three treatments in a completely randomized design: 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc), 50% ETc, and 50% ETc with 1000 ppm PS (weekly sprayed on leaves for 11 weeks). Both DI treatments (50% ETc and 50% ETc + PS) reduced plant height by 7.39% and 9.17%, leaf number by 16.99% and 7.03%, and total biomass by 21.13% and 20.58%, respectively, compared to 100% ETc. Notably, under DI, PS-treated plants maintained several parameters equivalent to the 100% ETc treatment, including flower bud emergence, blooming period, green bract number, effective quantum yield of PSII (ΔF/Fm′), and electron transport rate (ETR). In addition, PS application increased leaf area by 8.11% and compactness index by 9.80% relative to untreated plants. Photosynthetic rate, ΔF/Fm′, and ETR increased by 31.52%, 13.63%, and 9.93%, while non-photochemical quenching decreased by 16.51% under water-limited conditions. These findings demonstrate that integrating deficit irrigation with PS foliar application can enhance water use efficiency and maintain ornamental quality in off-season potted Curcuma, promoting sustainable water management in horticulture. Full article

In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the roles of fungi in horticultural crops. Their beneficial roles and pathogenic effects are investigated. In addition, the recent advancements in fungal detection and management strategies (especially the use of spectral analysis) are summarized. Beneficial fungi, including plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF), ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), enhance nutrient uptake, promote root and shoot development, improve photosynthetic efficiency, and support plant resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. Additionally, beneficial fungi contribute to flowering, seed germination, and disease management through biofertilizers, microbial pesticides, and mycoinsecticides. Conversely, pathogenic fungi cause significant diseases affecting roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits, leading to crop yield losses. Advanced spectral analysis techniques, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR), Raman, and Visible and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (Vis-NIR), alongside traditional methods like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), have shown promise in detecting and managing fungal pathogens. Emerging applications of fungi in sustainable agriculture, including biofertilizers and eco-friendly pest management, are discussed, underscoring their potential to enhance crop productivity and mitigate environmental impacts. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex roles of fungi in horticulture and explores innovative detection and management strategies. Full article

Greenhouse horticulture plays an important role globally by producing nutritious fruits and vegetables with high resource use efficiency. Modern greenhouses are large-scale high-tech production factories that are increasingly data-driven, and where climate and irrigation control are gradually becoming more autonomous. This is enabled by technological developments and driven by shortages in skilled labor and the demand for improved resource use efficiency. In the Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge, it has been shown that controlling greenhouse cultivation can be done efficiently with intelligent algorithms. For an optimal strategy, however, it is essential that control algorithms properly account for crop responses, which requires appropriate sensors, reliable data, and accurate models. This paper presents the results of the 4th Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge, in which international teams developed six intelligent algorithms that fully controlled a dwarf tomato cultivation, a crop that is well-suited for robotic harvesting, but for which little prior cultivation data exists. Nevertheless, the analysis of the experiment showed that all teams managed to obtain a profitable strategy, and the best algorithm resulted a production equivalent to 45 kg/m²/year, higher than in the commercial practice of high-wire cherry tomato growing. The predominant factor was found to be the much higher plant density that can be achieved in the applied growing system. More difficult challenges were found to be related to measuring crop status to determine the harvest moment. Finally, this experiment shows the potential for novel greenhouse cultivation systems that are inherently well-suited for autonomous control, and results in a unique and rich dataset to support future research. Full article

The global population is rising at an alarming rate and is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, necessitating a substantial increase in food production. However, the overuse of chemical pesticides, including antibacterial agents and synthetic fertilizers, poses a major threat to sustainable agriculture. This review examines the ecological and health impacts of antibacterial agents (e.g., streptomycin, oxytetracycline, etc.) in horticultural crops, focusing on their effects on non-target organisms such as beneficial microbes involved in plant growth promotion and resistance development. Certain agents (e.g., triclosan, sulfonamides, and fluoroquinolones) leach into water systems, degrading water quality, while others leave toxic residues in crops, leading to human health risks like dysbiosis and antibiotic resistance. To mitigate these hazards, sustainable alternatives such as integrated plant disease management (IPDM) and biotechnological solutions are essential. Advances in genetic engineering including resistance-conferring genes like EFR1/EFR2 (Arabidopsis), Bs2 (pepper), and Pto (tomato) help combat pathogens such as Ralstonia solanacearum and Xanthomonas campestris. Additionally, CRISPR-Cas9 enables precise genome editing to enhance inherent disease resistance in crops. Emerging strategies like biological control, plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), and nanotechnology further reduce dependency on chemical antibacterial agents. This review highlights the urgent need for sustainable disease management to safeguard ecosystem and human health while ensuring food security. Full article

Plant-growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) play a central role in promoting sustainable agriculture by improving plant growth and resilience. The aim of this literature review is to survey the impacts of Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. on various agricultural and horticultural plants. The information provided in this manuscript was obtained from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical studies and observations gathered from numerous literature sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The keywords used were the common and Latin names of various agricultural and horticultural species, fungal endophytes, plant-growth-promoting fungi, Trichoderma, Penicillium, microbial biostimulants, and biotic and abiotic stresses. Endophytic fungi refer to fungi that live in plant tissues throughout part of or the entire life cycle by starting a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with its host without any negative effects. They are also capable of producing compounds and a variety of bioactive components such as terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic components. Penicillium is extensively known for its production of secondary metabolites, its impact as a bioinoculant to help with crop productivity, and its effectiveness in sustainable crop production. The plant-growth-promotion effects of Trichoderma spp. are related to better absorption of mineral nutrients, enhanced morphological growth, better reproductive potential and yield, and better induction of disease resistance. Both Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. are effective, affordable, safe, and eco-friendly biocontrol agents for various plant species, and they can be considered economically important microorganisms for both agricultural and horticultural sciences. The present review article aims to present the most up-to-date results and findings regarding the practical applications of two important types of PGPF, namely Penicillium spp., and Trichoderma spp., in agricultural and horticultural species, considering the mechanisms of actions of these species of fungi. Full article

As a beneficial fungus, Trichoderma harzianum (T. harzianum) has been widely applied for growth promotion and biocontrol. Recently, it has attracted much attention with regard to improving stress tolerance in plants under abiotic stress. In this paper, the multiple mechanisms of T. harzianum for alleviating abiotic stress damage in plants are reviewed. T. harzianum can regulate the synthesis of key phytohormones, such as abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), etc., thereby enhancing the physiological response ability of plants under stress conditions such as drought, salt stress, and high temperature. These are associated with antioxidant system regulation in plants, which reduces levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage and maintains intracellular redox balance. T. harzianum can also improve plant nutrient uptake and root development, secondary metabolism, soil environment and structure, and expression of related genes. In addition, in this paper, the characteristics of T. harzianum application in field and horticultural crops are summarized and compared, revealing differences in the methods, concentrations, time, and effects of applying T. harzianum to various crops. We further explore the synergistic regulation effect of T. harzianum and plant–microbiome interaction on the stress microenvironment. Future perspectives on the molecular mechanism of T. harzianum and its field application potential are discussed. This review provides a theoretic and practical reference for the application of T. harzianum in agricultural production. Full article

Efficient nitrogen management is key to maximizing production and minimizing the environmental impact of horticultural crops. This study analyses the effect of different doses of nitrogen on the development of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) (cultivar Parthenon), processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) (cultivar H1015), and processing pepper (Capsicum annuum) (cultivar Ramonete Lamuyo) in open fields in Extremadura and evaluates rapid and efficient methods for diagnosing their nutritional status. Trials were carried out at the La Orden Experimental Farm (CICYTEX) with different nitrogen fertilization rates. The N doses were 0–60–120–180 kg N/ha for peppers in 2020 and 2021 and 0–200–300 kg N/ha for 2022. For broccoli, the N doses were 0–100–200–300 kg N/ha in 2020 and 0–200–300 kg N/ha for 2022. For tomatoes, the N doses were 0–100–200–300 kg N/ha in 2021 and 0–200–350 kg N/ha for 2022. The following three indicators were compared: chlorophyll content measured with optical sensors, petiole sap nitrate concentration, and the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI). The results indicate that chlorophyll measurement is not suitable for broccoli due to the characteristics of its leaves, but is useful for tomatoes and peppers, providing a quick and non-destructive diagnosis. Nitrate concentration in sap, although more laborious and destructive, was found to be effective in discriminating nutritional status in the three species. However, the NNI did not prove to be a good reference method in open field conditions. These results highlight the importance of adapting nutrient monitoring strategies to the crop and management conditions, contributing to a more efficient use of nitrogen and a reduction in the environmental impact of nitrate leaching. Full article