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Horticultural Crops Cultivation and Physiology
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Horticultural Crops Cultivation and Physiology

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural Science and Ornamental Plants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2023) | Viewed by 13689

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jiali He

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
Interests: stress physiology; molecular biology
Dr. Kun Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Horticulture, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
Interests: rhizosphere microorganism; replant disease; stress physiology
Dr. Lord Abbey

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B2N 5E3, Canada
Interests: horticulture; plant nutrition; soil health and quality; plant environmental stress physiology; compost science; biostimulants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Horticultural crops cultivation are challenged by multifactorial adverse conditions (high and low temperatures, drought, salinity, heavy metals, nutritional deficiencies, etc.). The growth of horticultural crops in field and greenhouse is affected by soil properties such as pH value, organic matter and nutrient content, etc. Their optimal growth should be achieved by developing appropriate cultivation strategies (including soil amendment application, beneficial microorganism inoculation, and so on), along with efficient management of water, fertilizers and soil health. It has been demonstrated that an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs that can lead to oxidative stress under most adverse conditions. However, these oxidative signals can also activate various signaling cascades that trigger the activation of plant protective systems. They subsequently change key metabolic processes such as photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, mineral nutrition, antioxiants, etc. Furthermore, the identification of genes involved in the defense response and stress tolerance is essential for the genetic improvement of horticultural crops. This Special Issue of Plants is to encourage the publication of the latest studies or reviews on the cultivation and physiological responses of horticultural crops under multifactorial adverse conditions.

Dr. Jiali He
Dr. Kun Li
Dr. Lord Abbey
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Plants 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 2700 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

  • nutrient and irrigation management
  • soil properties
  • abiotic stress
  • food security
  • cultivation technology
  • physiological response
  • ROS
  • photosynthesis
  • stress tolerance

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 3973 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Light Spectrum and Intensity, Seeding Density, and Fertilization on Biomass, Morphology, and Resource Use Efficiency in Three Species of Brassicaceae Microgreens
by Reed John Cowden, Bo Markussen, Bhim Bahadur Ghaley and Christian Bugge Henriksen
Plants 2024, 13(1), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010124 - 1 Jan 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3063
Abstract
Light is a critical component of indoor plant cultivation, as different wavelengths can influence both the physiology and morphology of plants. Furthermore, fertilization and seeding density can also potentially interact with the light recipe to affect production outcomes. However, maximizing production is an [...] Read more.
Light is a critical component of indoor plant cultivation, as different wavelengths can influence both the physiology and morphology of plants. Furthermore, fertilization and seeding density can also potentially interact with the light recipe to affect production outcomes. However, maximizing production is an ongoing research topic, and it is often divested from resource use efficiencies. In this study, three species of microgreens—kohlrabi; mustard; and radish—were grown under five light recipes; with and without fertilizer; and at two seeding densities. We found that the different light recipes had significant effects on biomass accumulation. More specifically, we found that Far-Red light was significantly positively associated with biomass accumulation, as well as improvements in height, leaf area, and leaf weight. We also found a less strong but positive correlation with increasing amounts of Green light and biomass. Red light was negatively associated with biomass accumulation, and Blue light showed a concave downward response. We found that fertilizer improved biomass by a factor of 1.60 across species and that using a high seeding density was 37% more spatially productive. Overall, we found that it was primarily the main effects that explained microgreen production variation, and there were very few instances of significant interactions between light recipe, fertilization, and seeding density. To contextualize the cost of producing these microgreens, we also measured resource use efficiencies and found that the cheaper 24-volt LEDs at a high seeding density with fertilizer were the most efficient production environment for biomass. Therefore, this study has shown that, even with a short growing period of only four days, there was a significant influence of light recipe, fertilization, and seeding density that can change morphology, biomass accumulation, and resource input costs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops Cultivation and Physiology)
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15 pages, 1445 KiB  
Article
Study on Potato Bud Cultivation Techniques in a Greenhouse in Spring
by Chaonan Wang, Rui Bao, Hui Zhang, Leijuan Shang, Huilin Wang, Zhongmin Yang and Chong Du
Plants 2023, 12(20), 3545; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12203545 - 12 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1869
Abstract
The species degeneration caused by traditional potato cultivation methods is becoming increasingly evident, and it is particularly important to study new potato cultivation methods. Sprout planting technology has the advantages of large reproductive capacity, fast growth speed, and simplified maintenance of cultivated crops. [...] Read more.
The species degeneration caused by traditional potato cultivation methods is becoming increasingly evident, and it is particularly important to study new potato cultivation methods. Sprout planting technology has the advantages of large reproductive capacity, fast growth speed, and simplified maintenance of cultivated crops. In this study, four disease-free potato varieties (‘Fujin’, ‘Youjin’, ‘Zhongshu 4’, and ‘Feiwuruita’) were treated with different parts (top bud, middle bud, and tail bud) and different bud lengths (10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm), and then potato sprout planting was carried out. A nutrient pot experiment was performed following a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with various replicates and a natural control (CK) treatment. By comprehensively measuring the emergence, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, dry matter distribution during the bulking period of blocks, and effect of growth and quality with bud direct seeding under both treatments, it was found that potato block top bud direct seeding cultivation is significantly superior to other parts. In terms of early maturity and yield statistics, the advantage of top bud cultivation in ‘zhongshu 4’ is most obvious; it reaches maturity an average of 14 days earlier, and the yield can be increased by 38.05%. Therefore, top bud direct seeding is more suitable for potato sprout planting technology. On this basis, the 20 cm and 15 cm bud length treatments of top buds were used for direct cultivation, and all the above indicators performed well. Among them, in the zhongshu 4 variety, the yields of 15 cm and 20 cm bud length treatments increased by 41.78% and 38.05%, the growth rates of commercial potatoes increased by 6% and 6.9%, respectively, and the effects were the most obvious. In conclusion, the deep research and application of potato sprouting technology has high utilization value for improving potato yield and quality and has guiding significance for greenhouse potato cultivation in early spring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops Cultivation and Physiology)
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32 pages, 18797 KiB  
Article
Quantifying Chilling Injury on the Photosynthesis System of Strawberries: Insights from Photosynthetic Fluorescence Characteristics and Hyperspectral Inversion
by Nan Jiang, Zaiqiang Yang, Jing Luo and Canyue Wang
Plants 2023, 12(17), 3138; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173138 - 31 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1937
Abstract
Chilling injury can adversely affect strawberry bud differentiation, pollen vitality, fruit yield, and quality. Photosynthesis is a fundamental process that sustains plant life. However, different strawberry varieties exhibit varying levels of cold adaptability. Quantitatively evaluating the physiological activity of the photosynthetic system under [...] Read more.
Chilling injury can adversely affect strawberry bud differentiation, pollen vitality, fruit yield, and quality. Photosynthesis is a fundamental process that sustains plant life. However, different strawberry varieties exhibit varying levels of cold adaptability. Quantitatively evaluating the physiological activity of the photosynthetic system under low-temperature chilling injury remains a challenge. In this study, we investigated the effects of different levels of chilling stress on twenty photosynthetic fluorescence parameters in strawberry plants, using short-day strawberry variety “Toyonoka” and day-neutral variety “Selva” as representatives. Three dynamic chilling treatment levels (20/10 °C, 15/5 °C, and 10/0 °C) and three durations (3 days, 6 days, and 9 days) were applied to each variety. WUE, LCP, Y(II), qN, SIFO2-B and rSIFO2-B were selected as crucial indicators of strawberry photosynthetic physiological activity. Subsequently, we constructed a comprehensive score to assess the strawberry photosynthetic system under chilling injury and established a hyperspectral inversion model for stress quantification. The results indicate that the short-day strawberry “Toyonoka” exhibited a recovery effect under continuous 20/10 °C treatment, while the day-neutral variety “Selva” experienced progressively worsening stress levels across all temperature groups, with stress severity higher than that in “Toyonoka”. The BPNN model for the comprehensive assessment of the strawberry photosynthetic system under chilling injury showed optimal performance. It achieved a stress level prediction accuracy of 71.25% in 80 validation samples, with an R2 of 0.682 when fitted to actual results. This study provides scientific insights for the application of canopy remote sensing diagnostics of strawberry photosynthetic physiological chilling injury in practical agricultural production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops Cultivation and Physiology)
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17 pages, 7835 KiB  
Article
Effects of Reduced Phosphate Fertilizer and Increased Trichoderma Application on the Growth, Yield, and Quality of Pepper
by Xiaoyu Duan, Chunlei Zou, Yifan Jiang, Xuejing Yu and Xueling Ye
Plants 2023, 12(16), 2998; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12162998 - 19 Aug 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2660
Abstract
Phosphorus utilization by crop plants is often limited, thereby resulting in large accumulations of residual phosphorus fertilizer in the soil. Trichoderma fungi function as natural decomposition agents that can contribute to increasing decomposition and promoting nutrient absorption in plants. In this study, we [...] Read more.
Phosphorus utilization by crop plants is often limited, thereby resulting in large accumulations of residual phosphorus fertilizer in the soil. Trichoderma fungi function as natural decomposition agents that can contribute to increasing decomposition and promoting nutrient absorption in plants. In this study, we developed a novel fertilizer application strategy that reduces phosphate fertilizer and increases Trichoderma and examined its effects on the growth, nutrient absorption, and fruit quality of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). We compared the efficacies of eight treatments: P100 = standard dose application of phosphorus fertilizer; P85 = 85% dose; P70 = 70% dose; P0 = no phosphorus fertilizer; and the TP100, TP85, TP70, and TP0 treatments, in which a Trichoderma mixture was added to the P100, P85, P70, and P0 treatments, respectively. The combined fertilizer application strategy stimulated plant growth, increased chlorophyll content, improved yield, and enhanced nutrient absorption. Additionally, the strategy improved pepper fruit quality by increasing the contents of soluble proteins, soluble sugars, vitamin C, capsaicin, and capsanthin. A comprehensive analysis indicated that the TP85 treatment was the optimal fertilization regime for pepper. This study provides a novel fertilizer application strategy for pepper that not only ensures good plant growth but also protects soil health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops Cultivation and Physiology)
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19 pages, 5584 KiB  
Article
Improving Boron and Molybdenum Use Efficiencies in Contrasting Cultivars of Subirrigated Greenhouse-Grown Pot Chrysanthemums
by Katherine R. Teeter-Wood, Edward J. Flaherty, Alyna J. Donetz, Gordon J. Hoover, William N. MacDonald, David J. Wolyn and Barry J. Shelp
Plants 2023, 12(12), 2348; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122348 - 16 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1409
Abstract
Fertilizer boron (B) and molybdenum (Mo) were provided to contrasting cultivars of subirrigated pot chrysanthemums at approximately 6–100% of current industry standards in an otherwise balanced nutrient solution during vegetative growth, and then all nutrients were removed during reproductive growth. Two experiments were [...] Read more.
Fertilizer boron (B) and molybdenum (Mo) were provided to contrasting cultivars of subirrigated pot chrysanthemums at approximately 6–100% of current industry standards in an otherwise balanced nutrient solution during vegetative growth, and then all nutrients were removed during reproductive growth. Two experiments were conducted for each nutrient in a naturally lit greenhouse using a randomized complete block split-plot design. Boron (0.313–5.00 µmol L−1) or Mo (0.031–0.500 µmol L−1) was the main plot, and cultivar was the sub-plot. Petal quilling was observed with leaf-B of 11.3–19.4 mg kg−1 dry mass (DM), whereas Mo deficiency was not observed with leaf-Mo of 1.0–3.7 mg kg−1 DM. Optimized supplies resulted in leaf tissue levels of 48.8–72.5 mg B kg−1 DM and 1.9–4.8 mg Mo kg−1 DM. Boron uptake efficiency was more important than B utilization efficiency in sustaining plant/inflorescence growth with decreasing B supply, whereas Mo uptake and utilization efficiencies appeared to have similar importance in sustaining plant/inflorescence growth with decreasing Mo supply. This research contributes to the development of a sustainable low-input nutrient delivery strategy for floricultural operations, wherein nutrient supply is interrupted during reproductive growth and optimized during vegetative growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops Cultivation and Physiology)
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Graphical abstract

19 pages, 12152 KiB  
Article
Phenotypic, Physiological, and Molecular Response of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum under Different Light Quality Treatments Based on Leaf Color Changes
by Yifan Zhang, Yang Liu, Lin Ling, Wenwen Huo, Yang Li, Lu Xu, Lili Xiang, Yujie Yang, Xingyao Xiong, Donglin Zhang, Xiaoying Yu and Yanlin Li
Plants 2023, 12(11), 2169; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12112169 - 30 May 2023
Viewed by 1895
Abstract
Light quality is a vital environmental signal used to trigger growth and to develop structural differentiation in plants, and it influences morphological, physiological, and biochemical metabolites. In previous studies, different light qualities were found to regulate the synthesis of anthocyanin. However, the mechanism [...] Read more.
Light quality is a vital environmental signal used to trigger growth and to develop structural differentiation in plants, and it influences morphological, physiological, and biochemical metabolites. In previous studies, different light qualities were found to regulate the synthesis of anthocyanin. However, the mechanism of the synthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins in leaves in response to light quality remains unclear. In this study, the Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum “Xiangnong Fendai” plant was treated with white light (WL), blue light (BL), ultraviolet-A light (UL), and blue light plus ultraviolet-A light (BL + UL), respectively. Under BL, the leaves were described as increasing in redness from “olive green” to “reddish-brown”. The chlorophyll, carotenoid, anthocyanin, and total flavonoid content were significantly higher at 7 d than at 0 d. In addition, BL treatment also significantly increased the accumulation of soluble sugar and soluble protein. In contrast to BL, ultraviolet-A light increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activities of three antioxidant enzymes in the leaves, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), in varying degrees over time. Moreover, we also found that the CRY-like gene, HY5-like gene, BBX-like gene, MYB-like gene, CHS-like gene, DFR-like gene, ANS-like gene, and UFGT-like gene were significantly upregulated. Furthermore, the SOD-like, POD-like, and CAT-like gene expressions related to antioxidase synthesis were found under ultraviolet-A light conditions. In summary, BL is more conducive to reddening the leaves of “Xiangnong Fendai” and will not lead to excessive photooxidation. This provides an effective ecological strategy for light-induced leaf-color changes, thereby promoting the ornamental and economic value of L. chinense var. rubrum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crops Cultivation and Physiology)
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