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Horticulturae
Special Issues
Orchard Management: Strategies for Yield and Quality
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Orchard Management: Strategies for Yield and Quality

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 4605

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sebastian Przybyłko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pomology and Horticulture Economics, Institute of Horticultural Sciences SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159 Str., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: apple quality; crop load management; plant nutrition; fertilization; orchard floor management systems; sustainable fruit production; cultivar and rootstock interaction; training systems
Dr. Ioannis E. Papadakis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Pomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
Interests: plant nutrition and fertilization; abiotic stresses (nutrient deficiencies, drought, salinity, waterlogging, etc.); sexual and asexual propagation of fruit tree species; evaluation of fruit tree cultivars and rootstock; effect of various cultural practices on tree yield and fruit quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fruit production is a complex process influenced by various environmental, genetic, cultural, and management factors. Meeting rising consumer expectations and stringent market standards while ensuring long-term sustainability and productivity poses significant challenges. Therefore, optimizing both yield and fruit quality requires reliable and precise orchard management based on up-to-date knowledge. The key strategies include selecting appropriate cultivars and rootstocks, optimizing the planting density and orchard architecture, crop load management, implementing tailored fertilization and irrigation practices, and using plant hormones, biostimulants, and supportive tools based on numerical models. This Special Issue aims to collect cutting-edge research papers on modern fruit-growing practices, providing insights into advanced techniques for enhancing effective high-quality fruit production.

Dr. Sebastian Przybyłko
Dr. Ioannis E. Papadakis
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. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2200 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

  • fruit growing
  • quality
  • high-yielded systems
  • orchard architecture
  • rootstocks
  • fertilization
  • irrigation strategies
  • crop load management

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 3927 KiB  
Article
Anti-Hail Shading Net and Kaolin Application: Protecting Grape Production to Ensure Grape Quality in Mediterranean Vineyards
by Luca Pallotti, Edoardo Dottori, Tania Lattanzi, Vania Lanari, Luca Brillante and Oriana Silvestroni
Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020110 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 781
Abstract
Rising temperatures due to climate change pose a significant threat to viticulture, intensifying summer heat stress and accelerating berry ripening. Additionally, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, such as hailstorms, further jeopardizes the sustainability of the viticultural sector. In recent years, mitigating [...] Read more.
Rising temperatures due to climate change pose a significant threat to viticulture, intensifying summer heat stress and accelerating berry ripening. Additionally, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, such as hailstorms, further jeopardizes the sustainability of the viticultural sector. In recent years, mitigating these impacts has become crucial for grape production, particularly in Mediterranean regions. This study compares two mitigation strategies—using an anti-hail shading net (S) and kaolin spraying (K)—with untreated control vines (C) over three growing seasons. Vine physiology, berry ripening, grape production and pruning weight were evaluated. The S treatment significantly reduced light interception in the fruiting zone and, while limiting gas exchange, improved vine performance during extreme heat. The K treatment alleviated heat stress and enhanced the photosynthetic activity. Both S and K treatments improved grape quality by maintaining higher acidity levels and lower sugar concentrations and pH. Additionally, both treatments reduced the incidence of fungal diseases, with the net providing added protection against hailstorms. No significant changes in pruning weight were observed, and the treated vines showed a better balance between vegetative growth and production. In conclusion, both kaolin and shading nets are effective techniques for addressing the challenges of climate change, enhancing vine resilience and ensuring high-quality grape production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Orchard Management: Strategies for Yield and Quality)
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25 pages, 9623 KiB  
Article
Cold Hardiness and Physio-Biochemical Responses of Annual Branches in Five Early-Fruiting Walnut Varieties (Juglans regia L.) Under Simulated Low-Temperature Stress
by Zitong Ni, Haifang Hu and Guiqing Xu
Horticulturae 2025, 11(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11010072 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 598
Abstract
As global climate change escalates, horticultural crops, especially walnuts, face increased vulnerability to frost damage. Cold hardiness—a crucial trait for survival—is influenced by complex physiological and biochemical mechanisms. This study assessed the cold hardiness of five walnut cultivars—‘Xinxin 2’, ‘Wen 81’, ‘Wen 185’, [...] Read more.
As global climate change escalates, horticultural crops, especially walnuts, face increased vulnerability to frost damage. Cold hardiness—a crucial trait for survival—is influenced by complex physiological and biochemical mechanisms. This study assessed the cold hardiness of five walnut cultivars—‘Xinxin 2’, ‘Wen 81’, ‘Wen 185’, ‘Zha 343’, and ‘Xinzaofeng’—under simulated low-temperature stress, focusing on differences in freezing tolerance. One-year branches were gradually cooled to temperatures as low as −30 °C. Key physiological metrics, including electrolyte leakage (EL) and regrowth (RG) potential, along with biochemical metrics like antioxidant enzyme activities and osmoregulatory compounds, were used to evaluate cold hardiness. A comprehensive cold resistance indicator, derived using the subordination function method, highlighted cultivar resilience. Results showed significant variation in cold tolerance, with ‘Wen 185’ and ‘Wen 81’ exhibiting superior resilience, while ‘Xinxin 2’ was the most susceptible. Logistic regression analysis of relative electrolyte conductivity (REC) data estimated the semi-lethal temperature (LT50), identifying ‘Wen 81’ as the most cold-tolerant cultivar (LT50 = −21.73 °C). Antioxidant enzymes and osmoregulatory compounds were crucial for maintaining cellular stability and recovery after freezing. These findings offer practical insights for breeding cold-resistant cultivars and strategies to mitigate frost damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Orchard Management: Strategies for Yield and Quality)
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14 pages, 1988 KiB  
Article
Integrating Soil, Leaf, Fruitlet, and Fruit Nutrients, Along with Fruit Quality, to Predict Post-Storage Quality of Staccato Sweet Cherries
by Mehdi Sharifi, William Wolk, Keyvan Asefpour Vakilian, Hao Xu, Stephanie Slamka and Karen Fong
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1230; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111230 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 667
Abstract
Predicting the post-storage quality of cherry fruits is crucial for determining their suitability for long-distance shipping or domestic distribution. This study aimed to forecast key quality attributes of Staccato sweet cherries after storage, simulating shipping conditions, by analyzing spring soil, leaf, fruitlet, and [...] Read more.
Predicting the post-storage quality of cherry fruits is crucial for determining their suitability for long-distance shipping or domestic distribution. This study aimed to forecast key quality attributes of Staccato sweet cherries after storage, simulating shipping conditions, by analyzing spring soil, leaf, fruitlet, and at-harvest data from thirty orchards in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada, over two years. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to predict post-storage variables, with pre-harvest and at-harvest data selected by a genetic algorithm. The SVM accurately predicted soluble solids (R2 = 0.88), firmness (R2 = 0.83), and acidity (R2 = 0.79) after four weeks of storage, as well as visual disorders like slip skin and stem browning. Spring soil properties (Ca, Mg), leaf (N, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, B), and fruitlet data (N, Ca, Mg, B) were key predictors. Leaf Ca was vital for firmness and total soluble solids (TSS) prediction, while N in leaves and fruitlets influenced firmness, acidity, and disorders. Leaf Zn helped predict weight and acidity/TSS ratio, and Mg impacted fruit color. Pre-harvest leaf nutrition measured 3–4 weeks before harvest, proved most effective in predicting post-storage quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Orchard Management: Strategies for Yield and Quality)
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16 pages, 1947 KiB  
Article
Variability Assessment of Banana Cultivars and Intercropping with Lemongrass Based on Fruit Quality Indicators
by Paulo Ricardo Rodrigues de Jesus, Magali Leonel, Sarita Leonel, Hebert Teixeira Cândido, Lucas Felipe dos Ouros, Erval Rafael Damatto Junior and Edson Shigueaki Nomura
Horticulturae 2024, 10(9), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10090962 - 10 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 884
Abstract
Bananas are one of the most consumed fruits in the world and are essential for food security and in the agricultural economy. Their sustainable production is vital for many communities. Herein, the effects of banana cultivars, cropping systems (monocropping and intercropping with lemongrass), [...] Read more.
Bananas are one of the most consumed fruits in the world and are essential for food security and in the agricultural economy. Their sustainable production is vital for many communities. Herein, the effects of banana cultivars, cropping systems (monocropping and intercropping with lemongrass), and the interaction between these factors on the physicochemical characteristics of ripe and unripe fruit were evaluated. The intercropping of bananas with lemongrass did not alter the main quality indicators of the fruit. The ripe fruits of the SCS451 Catarina cultivar stood out for their higher fruit mass, pulp/peel ratio, and firmness, while the fruits of the Prata Anã and BRS FHIA Maravilha cultivars had the highest SS, SS/TA ratio, pH, and reducing and total sugars. The cultivar SCS451 Catarina had the highest mineral content in the unripe fruit, and for all cultivars, the order of mineral levels was K > N > Mg > P > Ca > Fe > Zn. The higher content of total and resistant starch in the unripe fruit of the Prata Anã and BRS FHIA Maravilha cultivars, combined with the characteristics of the ripe fruit, make them suitable for both fresh consumption and industrial use. Diversifying cultivars improves the quality of banana fruit, and intercropping with lemongrass can be a sustainable method of managing banana fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Orchard Management: Strategies for Yield and Quality)
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23 pages, 3864 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Planting Density, Training System and Cultivar on Vegetative Growth and Fruit Production in Young Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Trees
by Paula T. Ibell, Frédéric Normand, Carole L. Wright, Kare Mahmud and Ian S. E. Bally
Horticulturae 2024, 10(9), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10090937 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1074
Abstract
Increasing the planting density of mango orchards appears promising for obtaining higher yields, particularly during the first productive years. However, the challenge is to maintain a good balance between vegetative growth and fruit production in the longer term. The objective of this study [...] Read more.
Increasing the planting density of mango orchards appears promising for obtaining higher yields, particularly during the first productive years. However, the challenge is to maintain a good balance between vegetative growth and fruit production in the longer term. The objective of this study was to decipher the effects of planting density, training system and cultivar on young mango trees’ growth and production. The experiment, conducted in North Queensland, consisted of five combinations of planting density and training system applied to the cultivars Keitt, Calypso and NMBP-1243. The planting densities were low (208 tree ha−1), medium (416 tree ha−1) and high (1250 tree ha−1). The closed vase conventional training system was applied at each density. Single leader and espalier on trellis training systems were applied at medium and high densities, respectively. The tree canopy dimensions were measured every 6 months from planting, and tree production was recorded from the third to the fifth years after planting. Vegetative growth and fruit production were the results of complex interactions between planting density, training system, cultivar and/or time. The expected increase in orchard yield with higher planting density was observed from the first productive year, despite lower individual tree production at high planting density. Lower vegetative growth and fruit production at high planting density were probably caused by competition between trees. NMBP-1243 and Keitt showed more rapid vegetative growth. Keitt was the most productive cultivar during the first three productive years. The detailed results of this study provide avenues to further explore the behaviour of mango trees at high planting densities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Orchard Management: Strategies for Yield and Quality)
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