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Agronomic Practices for Enhancing Quality and Yield of Aromatic and...
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Agronomic Practices for Enhancing Quality and Yield of Aromatic and Medicinal Crops

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2025 | Viewed by 1709

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Matěj Malík

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agroenvironmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Suchdol, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: cannabis; nootropics; Cannabis sativa L.; phytocannabinoids; hydroponics; plant nutrition; Pteridium aquilinum
Prof. Dr. Pavel Tlustoš

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: Soil fertility; plant nutrition; environmental chemistry; contaminants behavior; soil bio- and phyto-remediation; agronomy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The cultivation of aromatic and medicinal crops has a rich history, deeply rooted in traditional medicine and culinary practices. In recent decades, the growing global interest in these crops has heightened the need for novel agronomic practices to enhance their quality and yield. As traditional methods may no longer meet the demands of modern agriculture, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches that address these challenges while ensuring sustainability.

This Special Issue aims to offer a comprehensive exploration of state-of-the-art agronomic practices specifically tailored to aromatic and medicinal crops. We seek to compile the latest research and methodologies that improve cultivation efficiency and support environmental sustainability. Highlighting cutting-edge studies and novel approaches, this Issue will cover key areas such as precision agriculture, soil and nutrient management, soil-less growing systems, pest and disease control, advanced breeding techniques, and the composition of plant tissues related to natural compounds and possible contaminants.

We welcome all types of contributions, original research articles, opinion pieces, and reviews.

We look forward to your valuable contributions.

Dr. Matěj Malík
Prof. Dr. Pavel Tlustoš
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Agriculture 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 2600 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

  • aromatic plants
  • medicinal plants
  • cannabis cultivation
  • agronomic practices
  • yield enhancement
  • plant quality and composition
  • sustainable agriculture
  • precision farming
  • soil management
  • soil-less growing

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 543 KiB  
Article
Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Cannabis sativa L. Following Application of Sewage Sludge-Based Composts and Vermicomposts
by Ales Hanc, Bayu Dume, Sarka Kusnierova, Milan Hrcka, Tereza Hrebeckova, Pavel Michal, Maha Hleibieh, Alena Nehasilova and Tomas Cajthaml
Agriculture 2025, 15(5), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15050470 - 22 Feb 2025
Viewed by 245
Abstract
The use of some organic fertilizers may raise concerns about the transfer of hazardous substances to soil and plants. This study examined the impact of soil amendment with compost and vermicompost derived from sewage sludge and straw pellets in different ratios on the [...] Read more.
The use of some organic fertilizers may raise concerns about the transfer of hazardous substances to soil and plants. This study examined the impact of soil amendment with compost and vermicompost derived from sewage sludge and straw pellets in different ratios on the accumulation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) by hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). The concentrations of fifty different PPCPs were measured in compost-treated soil, and in the roots and above-ground biomass of cannabis grown on the soil. The highest bioaccumulation of PPCPs was recorded in plants from previously unfertilized soils low in organic matter, while the lowest concentrations were measured in soil amended with compost or vermicompost made from straw pellets only, without sewage sludge. The effect of sludge-derived compost and vermicompost application on the absorption of PPCPs was statistically determined by measurements in soil samples, roots and shoots of carbamazepine, cetirizine, lamotrigine, telmisartan, paraxanthine, tramadol, triclosan, and venlafaxine. The above-ground biomass exhibited lower PPCP content than roots, suggesting a potential plant defense mechanism for limiting contaminant translocation. Only tramadol and carbamazepine showed significantly increased content in above-ground biomass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agronomic Practices for Enhancing Quality and Yield of Aromatic and Medicinal Crops)
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21 pages, 1097 KiB  
Article
Selenium Uptake by Hericium erinaceus Basidiocarps on Various Substrates and Their Effect on Growth and Yield
by Miroslav Jozífek, Lukáš Praus, Jaroslav Matějka, Ivan Jablonský and Martin Koudela
Agriculture 2025, 15(5), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15050460 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 184
Abstract
This study investigates selenium (Se) biofortification in four strains of the medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus using Se-enriched substrates to assess Se uptake, distribution, and its impact on yield. Experimental substrates included lignocellulosic materials fortified with Se (0, 2, 6, and 18 µg/g) in [...] Read more.
This study investigates selenium (Se) biofortification in four strains of the medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus using Se-enriched substrates to assess Se uptake, distribution, and its impact on yield. Experimental substrates included lignocellulosic materials fortified with Se (0, 2, 6, and 18 µg/g) in the form of sodium selenite. Se accumulation varied by strain, with M9521 showing the highest bioaccumulation efficiency, particularly for an unknown Se compound, suggesting unique metabolic pathways. Other strains predominantly accumulated selenomethionine. The bioconcentration factor was highest at 6 µg/g Se, indicating optimal efficiency at this level. Moderate Se supplementation (2–6 µg/g) improved yield, though time to harvest was affected by Se levels in some strains. Substrate composition influenced Se uptake, with wheat bran yielding the highest Se content and soybean hulls maximizing biological efficiency. A strong correlation between C/N and Se content was observed. Se distribution was higher in outer basidiocarp layers, and light intensity during cultivation enhanced Se accumulation. Se uptake decreased with subsequent flushes at medium and high supplementation levels, while substrates maintained the same bioavailable Se. The results highlight the potential of Se-enriched Hericium erinaceus as a functional food source and the role of substrate and cultivation conditions in optimizing Se content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agronomic Practices for Enhancing Quality and Yield of Aromatic and Medicinal Crops)
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12 pages, 7598 KiB  
Article
Impact of Environments on Root Growth and Marker Compounds of Adenophora triphylla in Different Regions of South Korea
by Dong Hwan Lee, Yonghwan Son, Chung Ryul Jung, Jun Hyuk Jang, Ji Ah Kim and Hyun-Jun Kim
Agriculture 2024, 14(12), 2301; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14122301 - 15 Dec 2024
Viewed by 634
Abstract
Adenophora triphylla, a perennial plant widely used in traditional medicine, produces secondary metabolites like lupenone and β-sitosterol. Understanding how environmental factors influence the concentrations of these metabolites is crucial for optimizing their medicinal use and cultivation. This study examined the relationships between [...] Read more.
Adenophora triphylla, a perennial plant widely used in traditional medicine, produces secondary metabolites like lupenone and β-sitosterol. Understanding how environmental factors influence the concentrations of these metabolites is crucial for optimizing their medicinal use and cultivation. This study examined the relationships between soil physicochemical properties, climatic variables, and the growth and metabolite content of A. triphylla roots across 17 cultivation sites in South Korea. Methods included UHPLC-MS/MS analysis for quantifying lupenone and β-sitosterol, alongside correlation analysis of growth traits and environmental factors. The results showed that higher soil pH and calcium/magnesium content were positively correlated with the fresh weight of the root, whereas lower temperatures increased biomass accumulation. Additionally, lupenone was significantly associated with the elongation of various root growth, whereas β-sitosterol showed a correlation only with the diameter of the taproot. These findings suggest that environmental factors, particularly soil pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, and temperature, play key roles in influencing both the growth and metabolite production of A. triphylla, providing valuable insights into improving its medicinal and agronomic potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agronomic Practices for Enhancing Quality and Yield of Aromatic and Medicinal Crops)
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