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Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil

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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Vegetable Production Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 September 2022) | Viewed by 53754

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Xiaohui Hu

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Guest Editor

College of Horticulture, Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
Interests: plant response to abiotic stress; regulation of stress resistance; soilless culture; environmental regulation; plant physiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Shiwei Song

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Interests: vegetable physiology and molecular biology; nutrition and light biology of horticultural crops; organ formation of horticultural crops

Dr. Xun Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China
Interests: optimization of environmental control (CO₂ supply, root temperature); root morphology; rhizosphere processes; mineral nutrients supply; greenhouse gas emissions; carbon sequestration

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Greenhouse cultivation provides an artificially controlled environment for the off-season production of vegetables, playing an increasingly important role in agriculture production systems in the last few decades. Apart from soilless cultivation, vegetables are directly cultured in the soil in most greenhouses in Asian, European, and North American countries. Compared with open field cultivation, a larger amount of fertilizer is invested for intensive vegetable production in greenhouses for preserving and increasing the yield of products. In this context, after a few years of growing, deteriorated vegetable quality, decreased nutrient use efficiency, and degenerated soil property usually emerge. A well-known reason for these drawbacks is that the vegetables are grown under sub-/supra-optimal greenhouse conditions and suffering diverse abiotic stresses, including extreme temperature, irradiance, water condition, nutrient availability, CO₂ concentration, salinity, and so on. Recent works showed that improving the greenhouse conditions can promote the growth of vegetables and enhance the uptake of nutrients, further leading to better vegetable quality. Meanwhile, greenhouse conditions not only directly influence the nutrient cycling processes in soil and soil properties but also indirectly affect them by regulating the vegetable root growth and plant-soil interactions. One conclusion remains obvious—the more inputted nutrients that plants absorb, the fewer residuals that remain in soil, which could alleviate the degeneration of greenhouse soil.

This Special Issue welcomes original research and review articles that provide updated state-of-the-art greenhouse management that can contribute to better vegetable quality, higher nutrient use efficiency, and environmentally sustainable utilization of greenhouse soil.

Key topics in this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:

The effects of greenhouse conditions on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties of vegetables and their relationship with vegetable qualities;
The effects of greenhouse conditions on the mineral elements (macronutrients and/or micronutrients) uptake, translocation, and allocation in vegetables and their use efficiency;
The effects of greenhouse conditions on the rhizosphere processes and the nutrient cycling in soil;
The causes of greenhouse soil degeneration, salinization and/or acidification, and the corresponding remediation methods.

Prof. Dr. Xiaohui Hu
Dr. Shiwei Song
Dr. Xun Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

vegetable quality
greenhouse condition
root-zone temperature
canopy temperature
light quantity and quality
atmospheric CO₂ concentration
water management
nutrient management
nutrient use efficiency
rhizosphere
soil degeneration
soil salinization
soil acidification

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

4 pages, 187 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency, and Healthier Soil

by Xun Li, Xiaohui Hu, Shiwei Song and Da Sun

Horticulturae 2022, 8(12), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8121192 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3409

Abstract

Greenhouse cultivation provides an artificially controlled environment for the off-season production of vegetables, and has played an increasingly important role in agriculture production systems in recent decades [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

19 pages, 9545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Insect-Proof Screen on Microclimate, Reference Evapotranspiration and Growth of Chinese Flowering Cabbage in Arid and Semi-Arid Region

by Jiangli Wen, Songrui Ning, Xiaoming Wei, Wenzhong Guo, Weituo Sun, Tao Zhang and Lichun Wang

Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080704 - 3 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1717

Abstract

Despite the steadily increasing area under protected agriculture there is a current lack of knowledge about the effects of the insect-proof screen (IPS) on microclimate and crop water requirements in arid and semi-arid regions. Field experiments were conducted in two crop cycles in Ningxia of Northwest China to study the impact of IPS on microclimate, reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) and growth of Chinese Flowering Cabbage (CFC). The results showed that IPS could appreciably improve the microclimate of the CFC field in the two crop cycles. During the first crop cycle (C1), compared with no insect-proof screen (NIPS) treatment, the total solar radiation and daily wind speed under the IPS treatment were reduced by 5.73% and 88.73%. IPS increased the daily average air humidity, air, and soil temperature during C1 by 11.84%, 15.11% and 10.37%, respectively. Furthermore, the total solar radiation and daily wind speed under the IPS treatment during the second crop cycle (C2) were markedly decreased by 20.45% and 95.73%, respectively. During C2, the daily average air temperature and air humidity under the IPS treatment were increased slightly, whereas the daily average soil temperature was decreased by 4.84%. Compared with NIPS treatment, the ET₀ under the IPS treatment during C1 and C2 was decreased by 6.52% and 21.20%, respectively, suggesting it had great water-saving potential when using IPS. The plant height, leaf number and leaf circumference of CFC under the IPS treatment were higher than those under the NIPS treatment. The yield under the IPS treatment was significantly increased by 36.00% and 108.92% in C1 and C2, respectively. Moreover, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) was significantly improved under the IPS treatment in the two crop cycles. Therefore, it is concluded that IPS can improve microclimate, reduce ET₀, and increase crop yield and IWUE in arid and semi-arid areas of Northwest China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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14 pages, 1818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Suitable Water–Zeolite Coupling Regulation Strategy of Tomatoes with Alternate Drip Irrigation under Mulch

by Xiaolan Ju, Tao Lei, Xianghong Guo, Xihuan Sun, Juanjuan Ma, Ronghao Liu and Ming Zhang

Horticulturae 2022, 8(6), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060536 - 16 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1989

Abstract

The water (W; W₅₀, W₇₅, and W₁₀₀)–zeolite (Z; Z₀, Z₃, Z₆ and Z₉) coupling (W-Z) regulation strategy of high-quality and high-yield tomato [...] Read more.

The water (W; W₅₀, W₇₅, and W₁₀₀)–zeolite (Z; Z₀, Z₃, Z₆ and Z₉) coupling (W-Z) regulation strategy of high-quality and high-yield tomato was explored with alternate drip irrigation under mulch. Greenhouse planting experiments were used in monitoring and analyzing tomato growth, physiology, yield, quality, and water use efficiency (WUE). Suitable amounts of W and Z for tomato growth were determined through the principal component analysis (PCA) method. Results showed that tomato plant height (Ph), stem thickness (St), root indexes, leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), organic acid (OA), and yield showed a positive response to W, whereas nitrate (NC), vitamin C (VC), soluble solid (SS), intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci), fruit firmness (Ff), and WUE showed the opposite trend. The responses of Ci and Ff to Z were first negative and then positive, whereas the responses of other indexes to Z showed an opposite trend (except yield under W₅₀). The effects of W, Z, and W-Z on tomato growth, physiological, and quality indexes and yield were as follows: W > Z > W-Z; the effects on WUE were as follows: Z > W > W-Z. The two principal components of growth factor and water usage factor were extracted, and the cumulative variance contribution rate reached 93.831%. Under different treatments for tomato growth, the comprehensive evaluation score F was between −1.529 and 1.295, the highest treated with Z₆W₁₀₀, the lowest treated with Z₀W₅₀. The PCA method showed that under the condition of alternate drip irrigation under mulch, the most suitable W for tomato planting was 100% E (E is the water surface evaporation), and the amount of Z was 6 t·ha⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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13 pages, 8651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reductive Soil Disinfestation Enhances Microbial Network Complexity and Function in Intensively Cropped Greenhouse Soil

by Yuanyuan Yan, Ruini Wu, Shu Li, Zhe Su, Qin Shao, Zucong Cai, Xinqi Huang and Liangliang Liu

Horticulturae 2022, 8(6), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060476 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2603

Abstract

Reductive soil disinfestation (RSD) is an effective practice to eliminate plant pathogens and improve the soil microbial community. However, little is known about how RSD treatment affects microbial interactions and functions. Previous study has shown that RSD-regulated microbiomes may degenerate after re-planting with former crops, while the effect of planting with different crops is still unclear. Here, the effects of both RSD treatment and succession planting with different crops on microbial community composition, interactions, and functions were investigated. Results showed that RSD treatment improves the soil microbial community, decreases the relative abundance of plant pathogens, and effectively enhances microbial interactions and functions. The microbial network associated with RSD treatment was more complex and connected. The functions of hydrocarbon (C, H), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) cycling were significantly increased in RSD-treated soil, while the functions of bacterial and fungal plant pathogens were decreased. Furthermore, the bacterial and fungal communities present in the RSD-treated soil, and soil succession planted with different crops, were found to be significantly different compared to untreated soil. In summary, we report that RSD treatment can improve soil quality by regulating the interactions of microbial communities and multifunctionality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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16 pages, 2588 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fruit Quality Response to Different Abaxial Leafy Supplemental Lighting of Greenhouse-Produced Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. Cerasiforme)

by Chengyao Jiang, Jiahui Rao, Sen Rong, Guotian Ding, Jiaming Liu, Yushan Li and Yu Song

Horticulturae 2022, 8(5), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8050423 - 10 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2157

Abstract

Insufficient light supply for canopies is a constant issue during greenhouse production in most areas of Northern China. Applying supplemental lighting to plant canopies is an efficient method of solving this problem. Several studies were conducted to identify the optimal, economically efficient abaxial leafy supplemental lighting mode to produce high-quality greenhouse tomatoes. In this experiment, no supplemental treatment was used as a blank control (CK), while three supplemental lighting modes were used as treatments: T1, continuous supplemental lighting from 8:00–9:00 (at GMT+8, which is 6:00–7:00 local time, before the thermal insulation covers, abbreviated as TIC below, opening), and 20:00–22:00 (after TIC closing) with photosynthetic photon fluxion density (PPFD) of 200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹; T2, dynamic altered supplemental lighting with PPFD rising from 100 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ to 200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ before TIC opening and falling from 200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ to 100 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ after TIC closing; and T3, intermittent supplemental lighting which was automatically conducted with PPFD of 100 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ when indoor PPFD below 150 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ from 8:00–22:00. The results demonstrated that abaxial leafy supplemental lighting treatment could improve both fruit yield and quality. The total yield in the T1 and T2 treatments was higher than in other treatments, though there was no significant difference. Differences in leaf carbon exportation showed the possibility of determining fruit yield from the 3rd leaf under the fruit. The overall appearance, flavor quality, nutrient indicators, and aroma of cherry tomato fruits under T1 and T2 treatments were generally higher than in other treatments. Correlation analysis of fruit yield and quality parameters suggested that they produce relatively high yield and fruit quality. Combined with a cost-performance analysis, dynamic altered supplemental lighting (T2) is more suitable for high-valued greenhouse cherry tomato production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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12 pages, 1369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Plastic Shed Cultivation System on the Properties of Red Paddy Soil and Its Management by Reductive Soil Disinfestation

by Liangliang Liu, Sha Long, Baoping Deng, Jiali Kuang, Kexin Wen, Tao Li, Zurong Bai and Qin Shao

Horticulturae 2022, 8(4), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040279 - 24 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2249

Abstract

Red paddy soil is widely distributed in the south of China and has become an important production system for food and cash crops. However, the key factors limiting the quality of this soil type under the plastic shed cultivation system and the effective management strategies are still unclear. In the present study, the physicochemical and microbial properties of red paddy soil in a plastic shed (PS-Soil) and open-air (OA-Soil) cultivation systems were compared. Subsequently, reductive soil disinfestation (RSD) and organic fertilizer treatment (OF) were used to improve the soil properties in a representative PS-Soil. Results showed that the physicochemical and microbial properties in PS-Soil were significantly altered compared with those in the nearby OA-Soil, and those differences were primarily dominated by the cultivation system rather than the sampling site. Specifically, the electrical conductivity (EC) and available nutrients (NO₃⁻-N, NH₄⁺-N, available K, and available P) contents, as well as the abundances of fungi, potential fungal soil-borne pathogens (F. oxysporum and F. solani), and fungi/bacteria were significantly increased in PS-Soil. In addition, the OF treatment could not effectively improve the above-mentioned soil properties, which was mainly reflected by that soil EC and the abundances of potential fungal soil-borne pathogens were considerably increased in the OF-treated soil. In contrast, soil EC and NO₃⁻-N content, the abundances of fungi, F. oxysporum, F. solani, and fungi/bacteria were remarkably decreased by 76%, 99%, 98%, 92%, 73%, and 85%, respectively. Moreover, soil pH, the abundance of bacteria, total microbial activity, metabolic activity, and carbon source utilization were significantly increased in the RSD-treated soil. Collectively, red paddy soil is significantly degraded under the plastic shed cultivation system, and RSD rather than OF can effectively improve the quality of this soil type. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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13 pages, 2493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of NIR Reflective Film as a High Tunnel-Covering Material on Fruit Cracking and Biomass Production of Tomatoes

by Hiroko Yamaura, Shinichi Furuyama, Nobuo Takano, Yuka Nakano, Keiichi Kanno, Takashi Ando, Ichiro Amasaki, Yukie Watanabe, Yasunaga Iwasaki and Masahide Isozaki

Horticulturae 2022, 8(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010051 - 6 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2290

Abstract

Tomatoes require higher irradiance, although the incidence of physiological disorders in fruit increases at high temperatures. Near-infrared (800–2500 nm) (NIR) reflective materials are effective tools to suppress rising air temperatures in greenhouses. We examined the physiological and morphological changes in tomato growth and fruit quality when grown in a high tunnel covered with NIR reflective film (NR) and in another covered with polyolefin film (PO; control). There was no relationship between the fruit cracking rate and mean daytime temperature under NR. The fruit temperature at the same truss was lower and the increase in air temperature was slow under NR. Fruit dry matter (DM) content under NR was also significantly decreased. These findings suggest that the reduction in fruit cracking under NR results from a decrease in fruit DM content as a consequence of lower fruit temperature and a decrease in total DM (TDM). Total fruit yield did not differ, whereas TDM was significantly decreased under NR. This was considered to result from a lower transmitted photosynthetic photon flux density (400–700 nm) (PPFD) and LAI, and lower photosynthetic capacity in single leaves because of a decrease in both total nitrogen and chlorophyll content. We conclude that NR film reduces fruit cracking in exchange for a slight reduction in TDM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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13 pages, 1761 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

High NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ Ratio Inhibits the Growth and Nitrogen Uptake of Chinese Kale at the Late Growth Stage by Ammonia Toxicity

by Yudan Wang, Xiaoyun Zhang, Houcheng Liu, Guangwen Sun, Shiwei Song and Riyuan Chen

Horticulturae 2022, 8(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010008 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3209

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of various NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratios in a nutrient solution on the growth and nitrogen uptake of Chinese kale under hydroponic conditions. The four NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratios in the nutrient solution were CK (0/100), T1 (10/90), T2 (25/75), and T3 (50/50). An appropriate NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratio (10/90, 25/75) promoted the growth of Chinese kale. T2 produced the highest fresh and dry weight among treatments, and all indices of seedling root growth were the highest under T2. A high NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratio (50/50) promoted the growth of Chinese kale seedlings at the early stage but inhibited growth at the late growth stage. At harvest, the nutrient solution showed acidity. The pH value was the lowest in T3, whereas NH₄⁺ and NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratios were the highest, which caused ammonium toxicity. Total N accumulation and N use efficiency were the highest in T2, and total N accumulation was the lowest in T3. Principal component analysis showed that T2 considerably promoted growth and N absorption of Chinese kale, whereas T3 had a remarkable effect on the pH value. These findings suggest that an appropriate increase in NH₄⁺ promotes the growth and nutrient uptake of Chinese kale by maintaining the pH value and NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratios of the nutrient solution, whereas excessive addition of NH₄⁺ may induce rhizosphere acidification and ammonia toxicity, inhibiting plant growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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13 pages, 2416 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Efficiency of Reductive Soil Disinfestation Affected by Soil Water Content and Organic Amendment Rate

by Rui Zhu, Xinqi Huang, Jinbo Zhang, Zucong Cai, Xun Li and Teng Wen

Horticulturae 2021, 7(12), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7120559 - 7 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2822

Abstract

Reductive Soil Disinfestation (RSD) is a good method which can restore degraded greenhouse soil and effectively inactivate soil-borne pathogens. However, the approach needs to be optimized in order to facilitate its practical application in various regions. In the present work, we investigated the effect of soil water content (60% water holding capacity (WHC), 100% WHC and continuous flooding) and maize straw application rates (0, 5, 10, and 20 g kg⁻¹ soil) on the improvement of soil properties and suppression of soil-borne pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium and Phytophthora). The results showed that increasing the soil water content and maize straw application rate accelerated the removal of excess sulfate and nitrate in the soil and elevated the soil pH. Elevating the water content and maize straw application rate also produced much more organic acids, which could strongly inhibit soil-borne pathogens. Soil properties were improved significantly after RSD treatment with a maize straw amendment rate of more than 5 g kg⁻¹, regardless of the water content. However, RSD treatments with 60% WHC could not effectively inactivate soil-borne pathogens and even stimulated their growth by increasing the maize application rate. RSD treatments of both 100% WHC and continuous flooding could inactivate soil-borne pathogens and increase the pathogens mortality indicated by cultural cells relatively effectively. The inhibited pathogens were significantly increased with the increasing maize application rate from 5 g kg⁻¹ to 10 g kg⁻¹, but were not further increased from 10 g kg⁻¹ to 20 g kg⁻¹. A further increased mortality of F. oxysporum, indicated by gene copies, was also observed when the soil water content and maize straw application rate were increased. Therefore, RSD treatment with 60% WHC could improve soil properties significantly, whereas irrigation with 100% WHC or continuous flooding was a necessity for effective soil-borne pathogens suppression. Holding 100% WHC and applicating maize straw at 10 g kg⁻¹ soil were optimum conditions for RSD field operation to restore degraded greenhouse soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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21 pages, 4406 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of the Hydroponic Cropping System on Growth, Yield, and Nutrition of a Greek Sweet Onion (Allium cepa L.) Landrace

by Christos Mouroutoglou, Anastasios Kotsiras, Georgia Ntatsi and Dimitrios Savvas

Horticulturae 2021, 7(11), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7110432 - 22 Oct 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 8905

Abstract

Nerokremmydo of Zakynthos, a Greek landrace of sweet onion producing a large bulb, was experimentally cultivated in a glasshouse using aeroponic, floating, nutrient film technique, and aggregate systems, i.e., AER, FL, NFT, and AG, respectively. The aim of the experiment was to compare the effects of these soilless culture systems (SCSs) on plant characteristics, including fresh and dry weight, bulb geometry, water use efficiency, tissue macronutrient concentrations, and uptake concentrations (UC), i.e., uptake ratios between macronutrients and water, during the main growth, bulbing, and maturation stages, i.e., 31, 62, and 95 days after transplanting. The plants grown in FL and AG yielded 7.87 and 7.57 kg m⁻², respectively, followed by those grown in AER (6.22 kg m⁻²), while those grown in NFT produced the lowest yield (5.20 kg m⁻²). The volume of nutrient solution (NS) consumed per plant averaged 16.87 L, with NFT plants recording the least consumption. The SCS affected growth rate of new roots and “root mat” density that led to corresponding nutrient uptake differences. In NFT, reduced nutrient uptake was accompanied by reduced water consumption. The SCS and growth stage strongly affected tissue N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S mineral concentrations and the respective UC. The UC of N and Κ followed a decreasing trend, while that of Mg decreased only until bulbing, and the UC of the remainder of the macronutrients increased slightly during the cropping period. The UC can be used as a sound basis to establish NS recommendations for cultivation of this sweet onion variety in closed SCSs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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14 pages, 4861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Productivity Enhancement of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) through Optimized Use of Poultry Manure and Mineral Fertilizers under Greenhouse Cultivation

by Basheer Noman Sallam, Tao Lu, Hongjun Yu, Qiang Li, Zareen Sarfraz, Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Shumaila Khan, Heng Wang, Peng Liu and Weijie Jiang

Horticulturae 2021, 7(8), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7080256 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 11683

Abstract

Cucumber, a widely cultivated vegetable, is mostly grown under greenhouse conditions. In recent years, the overuse of inorganic fertilizers for higher yield attainment adversely has affected human health and the environment. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of different nutrient sources (poultry manure (PM) and mineral fertilizer (MF)) on productivity-enhancing parameters of cucumber via univariate and multivariate analyses. Amounts of PM and MF (NPK15:15:15) were added to coco-peat per cubic meter by weight/volume (w/v) ratios as follows: T₁ (control), 60 kg PM; T₂, 30 kg PM + 3 kg MF; T₃, 30 kg PM + 5 kg MF, and T₄, 30 kg PM + 7 kg MF. The univariate analysis performed on the collected data illustrated the significant enhancement in growth and productivity for the integrated use of PM and MF. Multivariate analyses (correlation, clustering, and Principal Component Analysis) validated the results of univariate analysis by differentiating treatments into two groups. The three treatments obtained a distinguished group from T₁ (Control) and did not show significant differences among each other, with a maximum yield increase by T₂ (74.6%). According to these results, T₂ could improve cucumber productivity under greenhouse conditions. It can be taken as recommendations for better quality and yield enhancement in future improvement programs and cucumber-related farming communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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12 pages, 711 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Application Methods of Boron on Tomato Growth, Fruit Quality and Flavor

by Weinan Xu, Pengju Wang, Luqiao Yuan, Xin Chen and Xiaohui Hu

Horticulturae 2021, 7(8), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7080223 - 5 Aug 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4325

Abstract

The effect of application methods with different boron levels on the growth, fruit quality and flavor of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. ‘Jinpeng No.1’) were investigated under greenhouse conditions. Seven treatments used included two application methods (leaf and root application) with four boron levels (0, 1.9, 3.8 and 5.7 mg∙L⁻¹ H₃BO₃). Experimental outcomes revealed that both application methods significantly increased net photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content, and stabilized leaf structure of tomato. Leaf spray of 1.9 mg∙L⁻¹ H₃BO₃ was more effective at improving plant growth and photosynthetic indices in tomato compared to other treatments. Additionally, root application of 3.8 mg∙L⁻¹ H₃BO₃ resulted in better comprehensive attributes of fruit quality and flavor than other treatments in terms of amounts of lycopene, β-carotene, soluble protein, the sugar/acid ratio and characteristic aromatic compounds in fruit. The appropriate application of boron can effectively improve the growth and development of tomato, and change the quality and flavor of fruit, two application methods with four boron levels had different effects on tomato. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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14 pages, 1738 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of Daily Light Integral on Cucumber Plug Seedlings in Artificial Light Plant Factory

by Jiawei Cui, Shiwei Song, Jizhu Yu and Houcheng Liu

Horticulturae 2021, 7(6), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7060139 - 7 Jun 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4136

Abstract

In a controlled environment, in an artificial light plant factory during early spring or midsummer, vegetable seedlings can be uniform, compact, and high quality. Appropriate light parameters can speed up the growth of seedlings and save on production costs. Two experiments were carried out in this study: (1) cucumber seedling growth under different daily light integrals (DLIs) (5.41–11.26 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹) and optimum DLI for seedling production were explored (experiment 1: Exp. 1); (2) under the same DLI selected by Exp. 1, the effects of different light intensities and photoperiods on cucumber seedlings were investigated (experiment 2: Exp. 2). The root biomass, root-to-shoot ratio, seedling index, and shoot dry matter rate increased as the DLI increased from 5.41 to 11.26 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹, while the shoot biomass and leaf area decreased in Exp. 1. The cucumber seedlings became more compact as DLI increased, but more flowers developed after transplanting when the DLI was 6.35 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹. Under the optimal DLI (6.35 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹), the optimal intensity was 110–125 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹, and the optimal photoperiod was 14–16 h, in which plant biomass, shoot dry matter rate, seedling index, and photochemical efficiency were higher. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greenhouse Management for Better Vegetable Quality, Higher Nutrient Use Efficiency and Healthier Soil)

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