Journal Description
Horticulturae
Horticulturae
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal published monthly online by MDPI. The Spanish Society of Horticultural Sciences (SECH) is affiliated with Horticulturae and its members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, AGRIS, FSTA, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Horticulture) / CiteScore - Q2 (Horticulture)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 14.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
3.1 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.4 (2022)
Latest Articles
Chitin Synthases in Cordyceps militaris: Genome-Wide Gene Identification, Evolutionary Insights, and Life Cycle Transcript Profiling
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050494 (registering DOI) - 10 May 2024
Abstract
Cordyceps militaris is one of the commercially cultivated mushrooms, valued for its medicinal and nutritional benefits. However, the fruiting body development mechanism has remained elusive. Chitin synthases (CHSs) are ubiquitous enzymes involved in the regulation of fungal growth, development and virulence. In this
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Cordyceps militaris is one of the commercially cultivated mushrooms, valued for its medicinal and nutritional benefits. However, the fruiting body development mechanism has remained elusive. Chitin synthases (CHSs) are ubiquitous enzymes involved in the regulation of fungal growth, development and virulence. In this study, a total of eight CmChs genes were identified. Chromosomal localization analysis revealed an uneven distribution of CmCHSs across the C. militaris genome. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, 100 CHSs from Cordyceps sensu lato, encompassing C. militaris, were categorized into three divisions and seven classes, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships. There was no significant difference in the number of CHSs between ascomycetes and basidiomycetes in general (p = 0.067), as well as between pathogenic and saprotrophic fungi in general (p = 0.151 and 0.971 in Ascomycota and Basidiomycota fungi, respectively). This underscored the essential and conserved nature of these CHSs across various fungal lifestyles and ecological niches. The different transcript patterns of the eight CmChss during key life cycle stages, such as conidia germination, infection, and fruiting body development, indicated that each CHS gene may have a distinct role during specific stages of the life cycle. In conclusion, these findings indeed lay the groundwork for a further exploration of the functional roles of CHSs in the regulatory mechanism of fruiting body development in C. militaris.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Edible Mushroom Industry: A Vital Component in Horticultural Production)
Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Yellow Pitahaya (Selenicereus megalanthus Haw.) Growth and Ripening as Affected by Preharvest Elicitors (Salicylic Acid, Methyl Salicylate, Methyl Jasmonate, and Oxalic Acid): Enhancement of Yield, and Quality at Harvest
by
Alex Estuardo Erazo-Lara, María Emma García-Pastor, Pedro Antonio Padilla-González, María Serrano and Daniel Valero
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050493 (registering DOI) - 10 May 2024
Abstract
Yellow pitahaya (Selenicereus megalanthus Haw.) is an exotic fruit with great potential for exportation in Ecuador. The research was carried out with the objective of evaluating the fruit growth and ripening as affected by four elicitors: salicylic acid (SA), methyl salicylate (MeSa),
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Yellow pitahaya (Selenicereus megalanthus Haw.) is an exotic fruit with great potential for exportation in Ecuador. The research was carried out with the objective of evaluating the fruit growth and ripening as affected by four elicitors: salicylic acid (SA), methyl salicylate (MeSa), methyl jasmonate (MeJa), and oxalic acid (OA), all of them at 1, 5, and 10 mM concentration, compared with untreated plants (control). For each elicitor, nine plants were selected, and on each plant, three fruits were marked to follow up the growth by measuring polar and equatorial diameters. At harvest, yield (kg plant−1 and number of fruits plant−1), fruit weight, percentage of pulp and skin, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and firmness were determined. Treated plants enhanced fruit size, crop yield, and fruit weight compared with control fruits, although results depended on the elicitor tested and applied doses. The highest and lowest TSS were found in 10 mM MeSa and 5 mM MeJa-treated fruit, respectively, while the highest TA content was shown in 5 mM SA. Firmness was only enhanced in MeJa-treated fruits. Overall, results suggest that preharvest use of elicitors could modulate the pitahaya ripening and could improve quality attributes at harvest.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Advances in Tropical Fruit Cultivation and Breeding)
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Open AccessArticle
Comparative Study on Codon Usage Patterns across Chloroplast Genomes of Eighteen Taraxacum Species
by
Yang Yang, Xingliang Wang and Zhenjie Shi
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050492 - 10 May 2024
Abstract
This study investigates codon usage bias within the chloroplast genomes of 18 Taraxacum species, focusing on the base composition and various metrics including GC content, Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU), Effective Number of Codons (ENc), and GC3s. Our analysis revealed a pronounced preference
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This study investigates codon usage bias within the chloroplast genomes of 18 Taraxacum species, focusing on the base composition and various metrics including GC content, Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU), Effective Number of Codons (ENc), and GC3s. Our analysis revealed a pronounced preference for A/T-ending codons across Taraxacum species, with GC content across the first, second, and third positions of the codons (GC1, GC2, GC3) and the average GC content consistently below 50%. A detailed examination using the RSCU metric identified 29 commonly preferred A/T-ending codons, indicating a strong codon usage bias towards these endings. Specifically, the codon for leucine (UUA) emerged as highly preferred, while the codon for serine (AGC) was least favored. Through the ENc–GC3s plot analysis, we explored the forces shaping this bias, finding evidence that both mutation pressure and natural selection significantly influence codon preference, with most coding sequences showing weak bias. The PR2 plot analysis further confirmed the role of these factors by demonstrating a higher frequency of T over A and C over G at the third codon position, pointing towards a mutation bias complemented by natural selection. Collectively, our findings highlight a consistent pattern of codon usage bias in the chloroplast genomes of Taraxacum species, influenced by a combination of mutation pressure, natural selection, and possibly other unidentified factors.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics, Genomics, Breeding, and Biotechnology (G2B2))
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Open AccessArticle
Fish Emulsions, Cyano-Fertilizer, and Seaweed Extracts Affect Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Plant Architecture, Yield, and Fruit Quality
by
Allison Wickham and Jessica G. Davis
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050491 - 10 May 2024
Abstract
Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) were grown in a greenhouse to evaluate organic fertilizer and foliar seaweed application effects on plant architecture, yield, and fruit quality. Many organic fertilizers contain phytohormones intrinsically. Hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizer and cyano-fertilizer treatments were applied
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Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) were grown in a greenhouse to evaluate organic fertilizer and foliar seaweed application effects on plant architecture, yield, and fruit quality. Many organic fertilizers contain phytohormones intrinsically. Hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizer and cyano-fertilizer treatments were applied in split applications every 7 days over a 135-day growing period. Control plants received no supplemental N. Each fertilizer treatment received applications of one of two different foliar seaweeds or no foliar seaweed in a 4 × 3 factorial design with three replications. Both hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizers and cyano-fertilizer increased the number of branches per plant compared to the N-deficient control. The plants receiving cyano-fertilizer or non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizer yielded more than the N-deficient control, and those treatments received 2–3 times the auxin application as the hydrolyzed fish fertilizer. In addition, the leaves from the plants treated with non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizer contained substantially higher levels of abscisic acid, although no abscisic acid was detected in the fertilizers. Both seaweed products decreased the number of fruits that were “bell”-shaped and increased the number of “long”-shaped fruits. Organic fertilizers are complex matrices of nutrients, phytohormones, and other metabolites, making it very challenging to determine the mechanisms behind the observations.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Organic Farming of Vegetable Crops in Greenhouse and Open Field Systems)
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Open AccessArticle
Modulating ‘Xinomavro’ (Vitis vinifera L.) Vine Growth and Berry Composition: A Comparative Analysis of Rootstock Effects
by
Serafeim Theocharis, Theodoros Gkrimpizis, Christina Karadimou, Anastasios Alatzas, Stefanos Koundouras and Dimitrios Taskos
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050490 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Rootstocks serve as a strategic tool for grapevine adaptation to specific biotic and abiotic conditions and for managing vine growth, grape yield, and berry composition in commercial vineyards. This study investigates the influences of four different rootstock varieties (101-14 MGt, 3309 C, 110
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Rootstocks serve as a strategic tool for grapevine adaptation to specific biotic and abiotic conditions and for managing vine growth, grape yield, and berry composition in commercial vineyards. This study investigates the influences of four different rootstock varieties (101-14 MGt, 3309 C, 110 R, and 140 Ru) on the viticultural performance of ‘Xinomavro’ vines, a prominent Greek red winegrape varietal. By conducting a two-year field experiment using various rootstocks, we assessed parameters related to water status, vegetative growth, yield, and berry composition. Our results revealed that rootstock selection has a significant impact on vine development, especially in terms of berry size and the concentrations of secondary metabolites. Principal component analysis confirmed the complex interaction between rootstock vigor and vine productivity. This study underscores the importance of rootstock variety in manipulating grapevine characteristics, particularly for the ‘Xinomavro’ variety, in response to regional climatic conditions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Optimizing Plants and Cultivation System for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA))
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Open AccessArticle
Economic Aspects of Zinc Oxide Fertilization in Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) in a Semi-Arid Region of Brazil
by
Antônio Lourenço Bezerra, João Everthon da Silva Ribeiro, Ester dos Santos Coêlho, Elania Freire da Silva, Pablo Henrique de Almeida Oliveira, Gisele Lopes dos Santos, Antonio Gideilson Correia da Silva, José Travassos dos Santos Júnior, Ivanice da Silva Santos, Felipe Alves Reis, Lindomar Maria da Silveira, Aurélio Paes Barros Júnior and Adriano do Nascimento Simões
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050489 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The management and improvement of yam productivity are associated with a good supply of essential nutrients for the growth and development of the crop that has economic viability. This research aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of foliar fertilization with Zintrac® in
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The management and improvement of yam productivity are associated with a good supply of essential nutrients for the growth and development of the crop that has economic viability. This research aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of foliar fertilization with Zintrac® in two yam agricultural seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Therefore, two experiments were conducted at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, Mossoró, RN, Brazil. The experimental design was in a Latin square design with five treatments of doses of Zintrac® (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 L ha−1) and five replications. Among the production costs of yams, labor and seed acquisition were the most significant. The highest profitability index was achieved with the dose of 1L Zintrac® ha−1 in the first season and second season, which corresponded to 78.97 and 57.86%. For the first season, increments were observed in all treatments that received zinc doses with increases of 48.70, 31.22, 14.30, and 15.93% for 1, 2, 3, and 4 L of Zintrac® ha−1 compared to the dose of 0 L ha−1. On the other hand, in the second season, there was an increase only in the dose of 1 L ha−1 of Zintrac®, which corresponded to 51.3% in the net yield (ha−1) of the dose of 0 L ha−1. Therefore, foliar zinc oxide fertilization was economically viable for the yam crop, obtaining higher economic indices at the dose of 1 L ha−1. The highest cost for growing yams is using a dose of 4 L ha−1 of Zintrac®, totaling USD 6977.59 (first season) and USD 6868.33 (second season)
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural Economics, Policy, Business Management and Marketing)
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Open AccessArticle
Storage Temperature Affects the Accumulation of Phenolics in Fresh-Cut Melon by Accelerating the Sucrose Decomposition
by
Zhangfei Wu, Zhiguo Zhou, Yafang Liu, Zengyan Yang, Libin Wang, Yuanyuan Guo, Chunyan Xie and Zhifang Yu
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050488 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
To accurately evaluate the role of storage temperature in improving the quality of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, the effects of two storage temperatures (5 °C and 15 °C) on the phenylpropanoid pathway and sucrose metabolism in fresh-cut melon (cv. Yugu) cubes were determined.
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To accurately evaluate the role of storage temperature in improving the quality of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, the effects of two storage temperatures (5 °C and 15 °C) on the phenylpropanoid pathway and sucrose metabolism in fresh-cut melon (cv. Yugu) cubes were determined. A higher temperature (15 °C) expedited sucrose decomposition in the melon cubes at the early stage of storage, resulting in higher levels of glucose and fructose. This effect was corroborated by increased activities of acid invertase (AI), neutral invertase (NI), and sucrose synthase cleavage (SS-c), along with higher expressions of CmAI1/2, CmNI1/2, and CmSS1/2 in the melon cubes at 15 °C. Additionally, the higher activity and gene expression of hexokinase in melon cubes at 15 °C led to an increase in the utilization rate of sugars toward downstream metabolic pathways. Moreover, the melon cube storage at 15 °C elevated the activities and gene expressions of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H), and 4-coumaric acid: CoA ligase (4CL), thereby increasing the synthesis of phenolics. Sucrose showed a significant negative correlation with PAL, C4H, and 4CL, as well as with CmPAL5/7 and CmC4H1/3. However, hexokinase displayed a significant positive correlation with PAL, C4H, and 4CL, as well as with CmPAL1, CmPAL3-9, CmC4Hs, and Cm4CLs. These findings demonstrate that a higher-temperature storage of melon cubes can accelerate the phenylpropanoid pathway and sucrose metabolism by regulating the activity and gene expression of related enzymes, thereby inducing phenolic accumulation. These results also indicate that lower-temperature storage is not conducive to the conversion of sugars into phenolics in fresh-cut melon. Therefore, the temperature can be appropriately and briefly raised in the production and preservation process of fresh-cut melon to obtain higher levels of phenolics.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Biology and Molecular Research of Horticulture Crops)
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Open AccessArticle
A Preliminary Study on the Identification of Genes Involved in Lignification in the Endocarp of Bared-Nut Walnut (Juglans regia L.) in Xinjiang, China
by
Shangqi Yu, Jiazhi Fu, Qian Ye, Pengyu Wu, Jianping Bao, Haifang Hu, Zhongzhong Guo, Rui Zhang and Qiang Jin
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050487 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
This study focused on the “Xinlu” walnut and explored the molecular regulatory mechanism of lignin synthesis in the endocarp, aiming to explain the formation of bared-nut walnuts through morphological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic techniques. It was found that the synthesis of lignin, cellulose, p-coumaryl
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This study focused on the “Xinlu” walnut and explored the molecular regulatory mechanism of lignin synthesis in the endocarp, aiming to explain the formation of bared-nut walnuts through morphological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic techniques. It was found that the synthesis of lignin, cellulose, p-coumaryl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol was severely inhibited in the pulpy-hue (PUH) of the endocarp. We obtained 14 modules (gene sets) significantly correlated with the lignification factor (LIG) and 1548 hub genes. Additionally, we identified a MEplum3 module involved in endocarp lignin synthesis, primarily participating in phenylalanine biosynthesis and the lignin biosynthetic process. Meanwhile, we constructed a gene co-expression network for the MEplum3 module and identified a key hub gene for lignin synthesis—JrCAD10. Among the different tissues of “Xinlu”, the expression level of JrCAD10 in the scleritic-hue (SCH) was significantly higher than in other tissues, with a relative copy number (RCN) of 3.2. However, JrCAD10 expression was severely suppressed in the PUH. The suppression of JrCAD10 expression led to the inhibition of lignin monomer synthesis, which further resulted in inhibited lignin synthesis, thus forming the bared-nut walnut. Our findings provide new insights into understanding the regulation of lignin synthesis and offer a possible explanation for the formation of bared-nut walnuts.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection New Insights into Developmental Biology of Fruit Trees)
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Open AccessArticle
Phenolic Compounds of Six Unexplored Asteraceae Species from Asia: Comparison of Wild and Cultivated Plants
by
Daniil N. Olennikov and Nadezhda K. Chirikova
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050486 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
The Asteraceae family in Siberian Asia exhibits remarkable biodiversity and has long served as a valuable resource for domesticating various beneficial plants with medicinal, therapeutic, and industrial significance to humanity. In this work, we studied for the first time the chemical composition of
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The Asteraceae family in Siberian Asia exhibits remarkable biodiversity and has long served as a valuable resource for domesticating various beneficial plants with medicinal, therapeutic, and industrial significance to humanity. In this work, we studied for the first time the chemical composition of six understudied or previously unexplored plant species, Artemisia jacutica (AJ), Carduus nutans subsp. leiophyllus (CL), Cirsium heterophyllum (CH), Echinops davuricus (ED), Ixeris chinensis subsp. versicolor (IV), and Lactuca sibirica (LS), which were successfully cultivated under open-field conditions as biennial or perennial crops. We profiled these species, employing a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry approach, identifying over 100 phenolic compounds. Among these compounds were hydroxybenzoic acid glucosides, hydroxybenzoyl/p-coumaroyl/feruloyl quinic acids, hydroxycoumarin O-glucosides, caffeoyl/p-coumaroyl/feruloyl glucaric/tartaric acids, O- and C-glucosides of apigenin, acacetin, luteolin, chrysoeriol, 6-hydroxyluteolin, pectolinarigenin, kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and tri-/tetra-O-p-coumaroyl spermines and spermidines. All examined species exhibited a significant accumulation of phenolic compounds throughout the experimental period, reaching levels comparable to or exceeding those found in wild samples (WSs), with the best total phenolic content for AJ at 26.68 mg/g (vs. 26.68 mg/g in WS; second year), CL at 50.23 mg/g (vs. 38.32 mg/g in WS; second year), CH at 51.14 mg/g (vs. 40.86 mg/g in WS; sixth year), ED at 86.12 mg/g (vs. 78.08 mg/g in WS; seventh year), IV at 102.49 mg/g (vs. 88.58 mg/g in WS; fourth year), and LS at 127.34 mg/g (vs. 110.64 mg/g in WS; fifth year). Notably, in the first year of cultivation, approximately 40–60% of the wild-level target compounds accumulated in the plants, with even higher levels detected in subsequent years, particularly in the second and third years. This study highlights the potential of cultivation to produce new Asteraceae plants rich in bioactive phenolics.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploration of Medicinal Plants: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives)
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Open AccessArticle
Effect of Biotic Stress Due to Phyllophaga spp. on Antioxidant Compounds during Jicama Root (Pachyrhizus erosus) Development
by
Verónica Cuellar-Sánchez, José Honorato Arreguín-Centeno, Marcela González-Vázquez, Ma. de la Paz Salgado-Cruz, Reynold R. Farrera-Rebollo, Gustavo F. Gutiérrez-López and Georgina Calderón-Domínguez
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050485 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
The levels of different nutraceutical metabolites present in the jicama root were measured when subjecting the plant to induced biotic stress via infestation with Phyllophaga spp. (white grubs). The change in secondary metabolites on the stressed jicama roots (SJ), mostly antioxidants, was followed
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The levels of different nutraceutical metabolites present in the jicama root were measured when subjecting the plant to induced biotic stress via infestation with Phyllophaga spp. (white grubs). The change in secondary metabolites on the stressed jicama roots (SJ), mostly antioxidants, was followed over 100, 140, and 180 days and compared against the non-infested control jicama (CJ). Our results show that infested (SJ) samples contained higher concentrations of tannins, flavonoids, and total phenols, measured using spectrophotometric methods, peaking at 140 days, and higher overall concentration of saponins. SJ samples showed higher DPPH inhibition, peaking at 100 days. Chlorogenic acid had the highest concentration among the phenolic compounds (7.47 mg g−1), followed by protocatechuic acid, both in SJ, which was possibly related to the lower observed concentrations of caffeic and ferulic acids. As for flavonoids, we observed a high concentration of rutin in CJ and a low concentration of pelargonidin and myricetin in SJ, possibly promoted via the dihydrokaempferol pathway. Taken together, these results show that Phyllophaga spp.-mediated biotic stress affects the concentrations of secondary metabolites in the different maturity stages in jicama, having an effect on its metabolic pathways, which presents an opportunity for the use of material such as agro-industrial waste.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM))
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Open AccessCommunication
N-Acetylglutamic Acid Enhances Tolerance to Oxidative and Heat Stress in Humulus lupulus
by
Takeshi Hirakawa and Kazuaki Ohara
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050484 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
Humulus lupulus (hop) is a necessary material in beer brewing because its female inflorescences (called hop cones) give a floral aroma, bitterness and foam stability to beer. Various aspects of growth conditions in the cultivation area, especially temperature, strongly affect the yield and
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Humulus lupulus (hop) is a necessary material in beer brewing because its female inflorescences (called hop cones) give a floral aroma, bitterness and foam stability to beer. Various aspects of growth conditions in the cultivation area, especially temperature, strongly affect the yield and quality of hop cones. Recent estimates suggest that climate change accompanied by global warming is negatively impacting hop production, with high temperatures reducing the expression of genes that regulate beneficial secondary metabolites in hops. This underscores the need for techniques to enhance hop tolerance to high temperatures. This study explores the potential of N-acectylglutamic acid (NAG), a non-proteinogenic amino acid, to confer hops with tolerance against oxidative and heat stress by suppressing ROS accumulation. Exogenous NAG treatment activated the expression of HlZAT10/12 and HlHSFA2, which are putative homologues considered master regulators in response to oxidative and heat stress in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). Additionally, histone acetylation, a histone modification associated with transcriptional activation, was increased at these stress-responsive genes in the NAG-treated hops. These findings reveal NAG as a potential chemical compound to mitigate hop production reduction caused by high temperatures and suggest the conservation of epigenetic modification-mediated regulation of gene expression in response to environmental stresses in hops.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biostimulants and Plant Elicitors to Mitigate the Effect of Biotic and Abiotic Stress, Volume II)
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Open AccessArticle
The Optimum Substrate Moisture Level to Enhance the Growth and Quality of Arugula (Eruca sativa)
by
Kiram Lee, Seong Kwang An, Kang-Mo Ku and Jongyun Kim
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050483 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
Arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) is a nutritious vegetable, commonly used in salads, known for its high glucosinolate content and various health benefits and flavors. However, arugulas may contain -excessive nitrate levels, potentially harmful to human health. We aimed to examine the effect
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Arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) is a nutritious vegetable, commonly used in salads, known for its high glucosinolate content and various health benefits and flavors. However, arugulas may contain -excessive nitrate levels, potentially harmful to human health. We aimed to examine the effect of substrate moisture levels on the growth and quality of arugula under controlled irrigation conditions to investigate a proper irrigation practice for the quality production of arugula. The plants were cultivated using a sensor-based automated irrigation system to maintain the substrate volumetric water content (VWC) levels at 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50 m3·m−3 over three weeks (vegetative stage). The treatment with VWC of 0.20 m3·m−3 resulted in reduced shoot growth, primarily attributed to drought-induced constraints on leaf expansion. Despite the initial reductions in stomatal conductance in arugulas subjected to lower VWC treatments, they eventually recovered and exhibited similar stomatal conductance levels across all VWC treatments 15 days after treatment, indicating acclimation to drought stress. The VWC treatment did not affect the nitrate and total glucosinolate contents of arugula, except for a decrease in glucoerucin content observed in the lowest VWC treatment. Maintaining a VWC level at 0.20 m3·m−3 could impair both the growth and quality of arugula due to severe drought conditions. Alternatively, maintaining the VWC at 0.30 m3·m−3 would ensure a high water use efficiency while securing the growth and quality of arugula.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Investigation of Environmental Stress Tolerance and Physiology in Horticultural Crops)
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Application of Opuntia ficus-indica Mucilage and Aloe Gel-Based Edible Coating to Enhance Postharvest Quality and Microbiological Aspects of Fresh Figs (Ficus carica L.)
by
Giuseppe Sortino, Eugenia Guccione, Fabrizio Giuseppe Casales, Maria Lucia Valeria de Chiara, Roberta Passafiume, Alessandra Gallotta and Alessio Allegra
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050482 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
Fig is a widespread crop in southern Italy, highly valued for its sweet flavor. However, its consumption as a fresh product is limited to three to four days after harvest because of its high susceptibility to quality loss and microbial contamination. The combined
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Fig is a widespread crop in southern Italy, highly valued for its sweet flavor. However, its consumption as a fresh product is limited to three to four days after harvest because of its high susceptibility to quality loss and microbial contamination. The combined use of low temperature and a modified atmosphere is the traditional preservation method. However, several studies have shown that the use of Aloe arborescens or vera and O. ficus-indica (OFI) mucilage as an edible coating could reduce the microbial load and water loss, respectively. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of Aloe gel (AG) and O. ficus-indica mucilage (OM) on the quality and safety of two fig cultivars, ‘San Giovanni’ and ‘Melanzana’, during cold storage at 4 °C. The main results showed the effectiveness of edible coatings on both fig cultivars. An AG coating significantly reduced the microbial load, while the OM treatment showed the ability to preserve firmness and reduce weight loss. In addition, the combined OM + AG treatment showed the same effects as the individual coating formulations, also improving visual appearance. Thus, the use of the synergetic coating formulation could be a natural way to reduce the microbial load, extending fresh fig fruit’s shelf life.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology)
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Open AccessReview
Economic and Social Impact of Huanglongbing on the Mexico Citrus Industry: A Review and Future Perspectives
by
Hernán Villar-Luna, María Elena Santos-Cervantes, Edgar Antonio Rodríguez-Negrete, Jesús Méndez-Lozano and Norma Elena Leyva-López
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 481; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050481 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
The citrus industry is of great importance in Mexico, with an estimated production value of USD 2.4 billion and the potential to generate up to 28 million employees per year. Approximately 69,000 Mexican families depend on this sector. However, it is under serious
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The citrus industry is of great importance in Mexico, with an estimated production value of USD 2.4 billion and the potential to generate up to 28 million employees per year. Approximately 69,000 Mexican families depend on this sector. However, it is under serious threat from the disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB). The rapid spread of this disease has caused significant economic losses, impacted the livelihoods of citrus growers, and led to substantial job losses. Currently, HLB is not under control in Mexico, and as the management strategies applied have proven to be ineffective, yields have not been recovered to pre-HLB levels, and production costs have significantly increased. Therefore, it remains the most destructive citrus disease. This review paper describes the current situation of the disease, its economic and social impact, and the measures adopted for its management in Mexico. Future perspectives highlight advances in research based on new biotechnological tools as an eco-friendly management alternative. Practical suggestions to address HLB are also mentioned in our analysis.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Diagnosis, Management, and Epidemiology of Plant Diseases)
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Wood Distillate Mitigates Ozone-Induced Visible and Photosynthetic Plant Damage: Evidence from Ozone-Sensitive Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) BelW3
by
Andrea Vannini and Alessandro Petraglia
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050480 - 7 May 2024
Abstract
The use of wood distillate (WD) is emerging as a valuable strategy for protecting horticultural crops from the oxidizing effects of ozone (O3). To fully understand its effectiveness, extensive testing on different plant species is needed. As a viable interim measure,
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The use of wood distillate (WD) is emerging as a valuable strategy for protecting horticultural crops from the oxidizing effects of ozone (O3). To fully understand its effectiveness, extensive testing on different plant species is needed. As a viable interim measure, an assessment of WD efficacy in model plants can be made until species-specific results become available. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of WD derived from forest wood, including chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood, to protect the ozone-sensitive tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum L.) BelW3 from the oxidizing effects of O3, using the ozone-resistant tobacco plant BelB as a benchmark. The protective effect was evaluated during treatment applications and three weeks after these were completed. Ten BelW3 and five BelB plants were grown just outside Parma from June to October 2023, a period when average maximum O3 concentrations were at least 120 ppb. Starting from July, five BelW3 plants were sprayed weekly with WD at 0.2% for two months. Morphometric and photosynthetic measurements were then taken after six and 11 weeks from the beginning of treatments and three weeks after the end to assess protection persistence (if any). BelW3 showed a significant effect of O3 compared to BelB plants for both morphometric and photosynthetic measurements, exhibiting increased necrotic areas on the leaf blade, reduced number of viable leaves, reduced average plant height, together with reduced chlorophyll content and impaired photosynthetic system functionality. BelW3 plants also showed a significant decrease in the efficiency of parameters related to PSII and PSI when compared to BelB. Wood distillate application, however, successfully mitigated O3 effects on BelW3, as revealed by morphometric and photosynthetic values, which were in line with those observed in BelB. Notably, WD protective effect persisted 3 weeks after treatment cessation, highlighting the short-term protective capacity of the distillate against the oxidative action of O3.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biostimulants and Plant Elicitors to Mitigate the Effect of Biotic and Abiotic Stress, Volume II)
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The Impact of Deficit Irrigation on the Agronomic Performance and Chemical Composition of Scolymus hispanicus L.
by
Nikolaos Polyzos, Beatriz H. Paschoalinotto, Tânia C. S. P. Pires, Mikel Añibarro-Ortega, Ricardo Calhelha, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Maria Inês Dias, Lillian Barros and Spyridon A. Petropoulos
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050479 - 7 May 2024
Abstract
In the current study, the effects of drought stress on the growth and phytochemical profile of Scolymus hispanicus L. (a.k.a. golden thistle) were evaluated. Plants were treated with three irrigation regimes, e.g., plants that received only rainwater (Control; C), deficit irrigation (I1; 50%
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In the current study, the effects of drought stress on the growth and phytochemical profile of Scolymus hispanicus L. (a.k.a. golden thistle) were evaluated. Plants were treated with three irrigation regimes, e.g., plants that received only rainwater (Control; C), deficit irrigation (I1; 50% of field capacity (FC)), and full irrigation (Ι2; 100% of FC). The fresh weight of the rosette of leaves was not negatively impacted by deficit irrigation, whereas root development was severely restrained compared to control and I2 treatments. Drought stress conditions had a positive effect on the nutritional properties of the golden thistle since the treatments of control and deficit irrigation showed the highest content of macronutrients and energy. Oxalic acid was the richest organic acid, especially under the I1 regime. Similarly, α-tocopherol was the only identified vitamin E isoform, whose content was also doubled in I1 treatment. Raffinose, glucose, and sucrose were the most abundant free sugars in amounts that varied among the irrigation treatments, while the total and distinct free sugar content was the highest for the I1 treatment. The most abundant detected fatty acid compounds were α-linolenic acid, followed by palmitic and linoleic acid, with the highest amount being detected in C, I1, and I2 treatments, respectively. Flavonoids were the only class of polyphenols detected in golden thistle leaves, including mostly kaempferol and quercetin derivatives. The greatest antioxidant potency was shown for the control and I1 treatments (for OxHLIA and TBARS methods, respectively). The evaluated leaf samples recorded a varied antimicrobial effect for the different bacterial strains and fungi, whereas no cytotoxic, hepatotoxic, and anti-inflammatory effects against the tested cell lines were recorded. Finally, the mineral content of leaves was significantly affected by the irrigation regime, with Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn being the highest for the I1 treatment, while the I2 treatment had the highest content of K, Fe, and Mn and the lowest Na content. In conclusion, deficit irrigation showed promising results since it improved the phytochemical content without compromising the fresh weight of leaves, and thus it could be suggested as a sustainable agronomic practice for producing high-added value products without significant constraints in growth development and yield parameters of golden thistle.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Production under Drought Stress)
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Open AccessArticle
Improved Waterlogging Tolerance in Roots of Cucumber Plants after Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
by
Nan Xiang, Zhen Liu, Xiao Tian, Dan Wang, Abeer Hashem, Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah, Qiang-Sheng Wu and Ying-Ning Zou
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050478 - 7 May 2024
Abstract
Mycorrhizal symbiosis enhances host plant resistance to various unfavorable environmental stresses, but whether and how it also enhances waterlogging tolerance in cucumber plants is not known. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of Paraglomus occultum inoculation on biomass production,
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Mycorrhizal symbiosis enhances host plant resistance to various unfavorable environmental stresses, but whether and how it also enhances waterlogging tolerance in cucumber plants is not known. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of Paraglomus occultum inoculation on biomass production, osmolyte levels, and the expression of 12 heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) genes and 14 plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) genes in the roots of cucumber plants under a short-term waterlogging stress (WS) (5 days) condition. Although the short-term WS treatment significantly inhibited the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization of roots, the inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) significantly increased leaf, stem, and root biomass under WS. AMF inoculation also significantly increased root glucose, sucrose, betaine, and proline contents, along with decreased fructose levels, compared with the uninoculated control. More CsHsp70 and CsPIP genes were up-regulated in AMF-inoculated plants than in AMF-uninoculated plants in response to WS. AMF inoculation showed no significant effect on the expression of any of the examined CsHsp70 genes under no-waterlogging stress, but it did raise the expression of 11 of 12 CsHsp70 genes under WS. AMF colonization also down-regulated or had no effect on CsPIP expression under no-waterlogging stress, whereas it up-regulated the expression of 12 of the 14 CsPIP genes under WS. It is concluded that AMF inoculation enhances waterlogging tolerance in cucumber plants by increasing osmolyte levels and stress-responsive gene (CsPIP and CsHsp70) expression.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses to Abiotic Stresses in Horticultural Crops—2nd Edition)
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
The Impact of Genotype and Controlled Environment Cultivation Parameters on Tomato-Leaf-Derived Exosome-like Nanoparticle Yield and Properties
by
Akvilė Viršilė, Giedrė Samuolienė, Kristina Laužikė, Emilija Mikalauskienė, Zbigniev Balion and Aistė Jekabsone
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050477 - 7 May 2024
Abstract
Horticultural plant material offers several advantages for isolating exosomes and other natural plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) due to the accessibility and affordability of plant material for widespread applications. This study aims to explore the impacts of the tomato genotype (‘Admiro’, ‘Roma’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Marmande’
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Horticultural plant material offers several advantages for isolating exosomes and other natural plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) due to the accessibility and affordability of plant material for widespread applications. This study aims to explore the impacts of the tomato genotype (‘Admiro’, ‘Roma’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Marmande’ and ‘Betalux’) and the main cultivation parameters in controlled environment agriculture on the yield and properties of their PDENs for pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications. The PDEN yield, size distribution, and antioxidative properties of young tomato seedlings were evaluated. The ‘Betalux’ tomato was distinguished by a remarkably higher nanoparticle concentration and a uniform size distribution and was selected for further experiments. The impact of cultivation temperature (18, 22, and 26 °C), nitrogen nutrition (0, 250, and 500 mg L−1), and the lighting photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD; 150, 250, and 450 µmol m−2 s−1) on nanoparticle properties was investigated. Optimal conditions consisting of a temperature of 22 °C, 250 mg L−1 nitrogen nutrition, and 250 µmol m−2 s−1 lighting PPFD were used as a reference. Optimal temperature, nitrogen nutrition, and lighting intensity resulted in the highest nanoparticle yield, the most uniform particle distribution, and the highest impact of PDEN preparations on keratinocyte metabolic activity. Deviation from optimal cultivation conditions reduced the tomato biomass and the PDEN protein and yield.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Production of Plant Bioactive Compounds by Horticultural Crops through Agronomical and Biotechnological Approaches)
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Eco-Sustainability of Soils in Baby-Leaf Crop Systems under Tunnel through the Application of C-Rich Inputs: Towards Combating Soil Degradation
by
Enrica Picariello, Flavio Fornasier, Maurizio Bilotto, Emiliana Mignoli, Salvatore Baiano and Luigi Morra
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050476 - 7 May 2024
Abstract
Fresh-cut leafy vegetables are produced in Southern Italy in very intensive crop systems under tunnel greenhouses in which continuous cropping has triggered soil organic carbon (SOC) depletion and the risk of degradation of soil fertility. A two-year trial of soil organic amendment was
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Fresh-cut leafy vegetables are produced in Southern Italy in very intensive crop systems under tunnel greenhouses in which continuous cropping has triggered soil organic carbon (SOC) depletion and the risk of degradation of soil fertility. A two-year trial of soil organic amendment was carried out on a private farm producing baby-leaf crops on a very poor OC soil (<1%). Biowaste compost, two types of olive pomace composts and buffalo manure were compared to evaluate their ability to recover a positive SOC balance and sustain crop growth and yield. The effects on soil health and crop system were studied by measuring different aspects such as SOC stock change and SOC sequestration rate, soil microbial biomass and nine enzyme activities, yields of rocket and concentration of nitrates in leaves. Soil amendments were distributed once a year at doses of 15 and 30 Mg ha−1 as fresh matter without integration of mineral fertilizers. In our study, the SOC stock improved in the amended soils in a range of 4–6 Mg ha−1, except for dose 30 of buffalo manure, with the highest values where biowaste compost was applied. Our data showed an increase in biological parameters in all the amended soils with respect to Control. In soil amended with olive pomace, however, compost mineralization rates likely did not match crops’ nutrient needs so the yields of rocket were lower than with the biowaste compost and buffalo manure. Biowaste compost showed the best results as it balanced the best C conversion efficiency, the higher increment of SOC and yields of rocket.
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(This article belongs to the Section Plant Nutrition)
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Potential Use of Compatible Osmolytes as Drought Tolerance Indicator in Local Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Landraces
by
Lesego T. Sewelo, Kelebogile Madumane, Metseyabeng N. Nkane, Motlalepula Tait and Goitseone Malambane
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050475 - 6 May 2024
Abstract
Watermelons are one of the most important crop species, and they are enjoyed across the globe; however, the cultivation of watermelon commercial varieties in arid regions is challenging, as they are highly susceptible to water deficit. Conversely, their wild relatives and traditional landraces
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Watermelons are one of the most important crop species, and they are enjoyed across the globe; however, the cultivation of watermelon commercial varieties in arid regions is challenging, as they are highly susceptible to water deficit. Conversely, their wild relatives and traditional landraces have shown a higher tolerance to water deficit, which makes them important study material. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the potential roles of two compatible osmolytes (citrulline and arginine) in the tolerance of local watermelon accessions to drought stress. Four commonly cultivated watermelon accessions were used in this study to evaluate their response when exposed to water deficit stress. The accessions were planted in stress boxes in the greenhouse and allowed to grow until the fourth leaf was fully open and then the water deficit stress was initiated by withholding water for a period of nine days, before rewatering for three days. Data and leaf samples were collected at three-day intervals. The common drought indicators that were assessed, like chlorophyll fluorescence, showed that Clm-08 (wild watermelon) had significantly different results when compared to the other accessions; the Fv/Fm values for days 3, 6, and 9 were significantly higher than those of the other accessions, while phiNPQ was higher in the Clm-08 with average values of 0.41 and 0.41 on days 6 and 9 of the drought stress, respectively. This suggests that the wild watermelon responded differently to drought stress when compared with the other accessions. Arginine and citrulline are important osmolytes that play an important role in stress tolerance, and the results of the current study correlate with the common physiological indicators. The expression pattern for both the biochemical and molecular analyses of the two compatible osmolytes was higher in Clm-08 in comparison with that of the other accessions. The gene expressions of the enzymes in the citrulline and arginine pathways were higher in Clm-08; Cla022915 (CPS) recorded a 6-fold increase on day 6 and Cla002611 (ASS) recorded an 11-fold increase. This suggests that citrulline and arginine play an important role in watermelon tolerance to drought stress.
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(This article belongs to the Section Fruit Production Systems)
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