Horticulturae

11 pages, 11369 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Floral Biology of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng

by Bin Wang, Guangyao Ma, Suxian Lin, Xin He, Bo Chen, Haoling Li, Liangming Huang, Yun Yang and Jianhe Wei

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010109 - 22 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1599

Abstract

Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng is a known medicinal plant producing agarwood. To date, studies on the floral biology of A. sinensis have been limited. In this study, the floral micro- and ultra-structures, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, and artificial pollination of A. sinensis were [...] Read more.

Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng is a known medicinal plant producing agarwood. To date, studies on the floral biology of A. sinensis have been limited. In this study, the floral micro- and ultra-structures, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, and artificial pollination of A. sinensis were investigated. The results show that the flower’s development can be divided into five stages, including the flower bud differentiation stage (2–7 d), the flower bud stage (7–13 d), the flowering stage (14 d), the pollination stage (14–15 d), and the fruiting stage (15–25 d). The floral organs mainly include: 4–6 split calyces, 10 petals, 10 stamens, and 1 pistil. The anther is oblong, with four pollen sacs the pollen is round, with maximum viability 6 h after flowering; and stigma receptivity is at its best 6 h before flowering. Artificial pollination is successful in the field. These findings will provide useful information for producing and breeding A. sinensis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding, Cultivation, and Metabolic Regulation of Medicinal Plants)

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25 pages, 1311 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Management Information Systems for Tree Fruit—1: A Review

by Hari Krishna Dhonju, Kerry Brian Walsh and Thakur Bhattarai

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010108 - 22 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3503

Abstract

A farm management information system (MIS) entails record keeping based on a database management system, typically using a client-server architecture, i.e., an information system, IS, coupled with a variety of tools/methods/models for the support of operational management. The current review adopts a multivocal [...] Read more.

A farm management information system (MIS) entails record keeping based on a database management system, typically using a client-server architecture, i.e., an information system, IS, coupled with a variety of tools/methods/models for the support of operational management. The current review adopts a multivocal approach to consider academic and commercial developments in MISs for orchard management, based primarily on the refereed literature but extending to grey literature and interviews of Australian mango orchard managers. Drivers for orchard MIS development include increasing the orchard size and management complexity, including regulatory requirements around labour, chemical spray use and fertilisation. The enablers include improvements in within-orchard communications, distributed (web) delivery systems using desktop and mobile devices, and sensor systems and predictive models, e.g., for pest management. Most orchard MIS-related publications target the commodities of apple, grape, mango and olive in the context of management of plant health (pest and disease), plant development, irrigation and labour management. Harvest forecast and MIS modules are only now beginning to emerge, in contrast to a long history of use in grain production. The commercial systems trend towards an incorporation of financial information, an integration of data from multiple sources and a provision of dashboards that are tailored to the user. Requirements for industry adoption of a MIS are discussed in terms of technical and design features, with a focus on usability and scalability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Intelligent Orchard)

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14 pages, 12242 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unlocking the Potential of In Vitro Photoautotrophy for Eryngium foetidum: Biomass, Morphophysiology, and Acclimatization

by Darlyara Reis Silva, Marion Nayon Braga Soares, Maria Cristina Rocha Silva, Mariana Costa Lima, Vitória Karla de Oliveira Silva-Moraes, Givago Lopes Alves, Anyela Marcela Ríos-Ríos, Aldilene da Silva Lima, Marcos Vinícius Marques Pinheiro, Thais Roseli Corrêa, Diego Silva Batista, Fábio Afonso Mazzei Moura de Assis Figueiredo, Fabrício de Oliveira Reis, Tiago Massi Ferraz and Sérgio Heitor Sousa Felipe

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010107 - 22 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1737

Abstract

Eryngium foetidum L., a biennial herb with diverse applications in food and traditional medicine, holds economic and pharmacological significance. Given its growing commercial interest, implementing biotechnological approaches like plant tissue culture is vital for sustainable propagation and metabolite production. In this study, we [...] Read more.

Eryngium foetidum L., a biennial herb with diverse applications in food and traditional medicine, holds economic and pharmacological significance. Given its growing commercial interest, implementing biotechnological approaches like plant tissue culture is vital for sustainable propagation and metabolite production. In this study, we investigated the in vitro photoautotrophic potential of Eryngium foetidum, examining growth, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, and anatomical features under sucrose concentrations (0 and 30 g L⁻¹) and gas exchange rate (14 and 25 μL L⁻¹ s⁻¹ CO₂). Acclimatization and survival rates of plants after ex vitro transfer were also assessed. Eryngium foetidum exhibited robust growth in both photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic conditions, with natural ventilation significantly enhancing plant development. Chlorophyll a fluorescence and photosynthetic performance were influenced by sucrose and gas exchange, highlighting the importance of these factors in plant micropropagation. Moreover, the species demonstrated remarkable plasticity during acclimatization, with high survival rates and rapid inflorescence development. The research provides valuable insights into optimizing in vitro cultivation conditions for Eryngium foetidum, emphasizing the potential for large-scale clonal propagation and exploring secondary metabolites. The observed phenotypic plasticity underscores the adaptability of the species to diverse environments. These biotechnological strategies open avenues for future studies, including the application of elicitors for enhanced secondary metabolite production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Micropropagation of Horticultural and Medicinal Plants)

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23 pages, 7255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Drought-Tolerant Vegetation on Green Roofs: A Method for the Digital Photographic Monitoring of Its Development

by Madalena Rodrigues, Pedro Arsénio and Teresa Afonso do Paço

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010106 - 22 Jan 2024

Viewed by 3425

Abstract

The increased number of buildings in urban areas limits the creation of vegetated areas, leading to the search for alternatives to create spaces to promote contact with nature. In this context, green roofs have been increasingly studied. These structures have specific microclimatic conditions [...] Read more.

The increased number of buildings in urban areas limits the creation of vegetated areas, leading to the search for alternatives to create spaces to promote contact with nature. In this context, green roofs have been increasingly studied. These structures have specific microclimatic conditions requiring an accurate study of the most appropriate vegetation to use. This study aims to analyze the long-term viability of vegetation installed on an experimental green roof open-air lab. This analysis was performed using images obtained from photographic records and later inserted into the ImageJ program, in order to identify species and evaluate the area covered by vegetation. Only a few of the species that were planted in the test beds over the years have persisted to the present, while other species have spontaneously appeared. Also, surveys were used to learn about people’s preferences for the vegetation on these test beds. These showed that people favor recognizable plants with plenty of vibrantly colored blossoms. It is feasible to choose the best plants for green roofs in the studied conditions as a result of this analysi sconsidering the ground cover percentage by vegetation, its persistence, and the preferences of the respondents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape, and Turf)

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15 pages, 3805 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses of the Mechanism of Anthocyanin Accumulation and Fruit Coloring in Three Blueberry Varieties of Different Colors

by Liwei Chu, Qianhui Du, Aizhen Li, Guiting Liu, Hexin Wang, Qingqing Cui, Zhichao Liu, Haixia Liu, Yani Lu, Yanqiong Deng and Guohui Xu

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010105 - 22 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1887

Abstract

Blueberries are recognized worldwide as one of the most important healthy foods due to their anthocyanins, which have special antioxidant properties. They have become a highly produced and valuable fruit crop. Most blueberry varieties are rich in anthocyanins, which impart a beautiful blue [...] Read more.

Blueberries are recognized worldwide as one of the most important healthy foods due to their anthocyanins, which have special antioxidant properties. They have become a highly produced and valuable fruit crop. Most blueberry varieties are rich in anthocyanins, which impart a beautiful blue color; however, there are currently several blueberry varieties with different colors worldwide, and these special-colored varieties are the key to analyzing the coloring mechanism of blueberry fruit. Fruit color could be seen as an important nutritional quality trait in terms of marketing. In this study, a combination of transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses was performed on three representative blueberry varieties (‘Pink Popcorn’, ‘Chandler’, and ‘Black Pearl’) with pink, blue, and black fruits, respectively. The metabolomic results showed that the delphinium pigment is the dominant anthocyanin, which is the prerequisite for the formation of fruit color in blueberries. We identified 18 candidate structural genes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway that were significantly up-regulated during three stages of fruit ripening in ‘Black Pearl’ and ‘Chandler’, but these were not found to be significantly expressed in ‘Pink Popcorn’ after combining the transcriptomic analysis results. The non-expression of the VcANS gene may lead to the pink color of the mature fruit of ‘Pink Popcorn’. The phylogenetic tree, heatmap analysis, and WGCNA analysis identified a candidate transcription factor, VcMYBA, which may regulate the differences between black and blue fruits in blueberries by regulating the expression level of multiple structural genes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms of anthocyanin accumulation and coloration in blueberries during fruit ripening and can help support production practices to improve fruit quality characteristics. The key candidate genes that regulate the fruit color differences among different blueberry varieties have the potential to enhance the antioxidant properties and quality characteristics of blueberries through future genomic editing. Full article

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17 pages, 2409 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of Different Media and Their Strengths in In Vitro Culture of Three Different Cistus creticus L. Populations and Their Genetic Assessment Using Simple Sequence Repeat Molecular Markers

by Kostas Ioannidis and Polyxeni Koropouli

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010104 - 22 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1502

Abstract

Cistus creticus L. (rockrose), a species of ecological and medicinal significance, constitutes a valuable component of the Mediterranean ecosystem. The present study investigated the effect of the inorganic salt concentration of Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), woody plant medium (WPM), and Driver and [...] Read more.

Cistus creticus L. (rockrose), a species of ecological and medicinal significance, constitutes a valuable component of the Mediterranean ecosystem. The present study investigated the effect of the inorganic salt concentration of Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), woody plant medium (WPM), and Driver and Kuniyaki Walnut medium (DKW) at several strengths (1/8×, 1/4×, 1/2×, 1×, and 2×) on the in vitro growth and organogenesis of rockrose. Significant interactions were observed throughout the experiments between pairs of plant origins, medium types, and strengths, and we also examined the extent to which they affected the studied traits was examined. The types of nutrient medium affected all studied traits except shoot and root percentages. The maximum growth percentage (143.49%) was gained using full-strength WPM. The best performance in shoot percentage was obtained using MS (100%) at several strengths along with 1× WPM (100%). The topmost rooting percentage values (98.61%) were obtained using 1× WPM and 1/2× DKW. The highest number of shoots and roots were observed using full-strength MS (9.39) and half-strength WPM (6.49), respectively. The maximum values for shoot and root length were achieved using 1/2× MS (0.78 cm) and 1/8× WPM (1.55 cm), respectively. The origin of the plant material did not influence any studied trait. Moreover, the genetic relations among the populations used in the in vitro culture were assessed using simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. Twenty-eight alleles were identified across all five STR loci. The different and effective alleles per locus were 5.60 and 4.72, respectively. The average observed and expected heterozygosity was estimated at 0.52 and 0.72, respectively. Shannon’s information index and the inbreeding coefficient (F) were assessed at 1.48 and 0.30, respectively, revealing a narrow genetic base and high genetic similarity among origins, suggesting that they belong to the same population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Germination and Micropropagation of Ornamental Plants)

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12 pages, 1501 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Initial Physiological, Biochemical and Elemental Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Clove Responses to T. vulgaris and S. aromaticum Extract Application

by Lina Dėnė, Kristina Laužikė, Danguolė Juškevičienė, Alma Valiuškaitė and Rasa Karklelienė

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010099 - 20 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1336

Abstract

Plant extracts are getting attention for their sterilizing, growth-promoting properties in the agricultural field. No exception exists when it comes to the treatment of propagating material with these natural components. Plant extracts may have complex compositions which affect plants or seeds in a [...] Read more.

Plant extracts are getting attention for their sterilizing, growth-promoting properties in the agricultural field. No exception exists when it comes to the treatment of propagating material with these natural components. Plant extracts may have complex compositions which affect plants or seeds in a positive way. However, they could also cause negative effects, like decreased germination, secondary metabolite contents or biomass gain. As the agricultural field requires sustainable techniques for plant growth and quality assurance in production, it is important to evaluate the potential effects of every alternative natural compound that shows promise for future plant treatment. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a popular spice crop grown in various regions of the world. Therefore, our study focused on an investigation of the early physiological and biochemical changes in garlic cloves (cv. ‘Jarus’ and ‘Vasariai’) treated with Thymus vulgaris essential oil and Syzygium aromaticum extract. Experiments were carried out in controlled climate conditions, in which the treated cloves were kept for four weeks. Results show that S. aromaticum extract increased germination in cv. ‘Jarus’ compared to untreated garlic cloves. Meanwhile, T. vulgaris caused lower germination of both cultivars compared to untreated cloves. None of the extracts increased biomass gain in garlic cloves. ABTS antioxidant activity was decreased by both extracts in cv. ‘Jarus’ (~7–47%) and ‘Vasariai’ (~22–32%) compared to untreated garlic cloves. Antioxidant DPPH and FRAP activities were ~6–11% and ~14–15% higher after ‘Vasariai’ treatment with extracts. Meanwhile, in ‘Jarus’ only, S. aromaticum extract caused an increase in DPPH and FRAP antioxidant activities. The elemental content was the highest in garlic cloves treated with T. vulgaris essential oil. Total phenolic compounds (TPC) and flavonoids (TF) were 1.2 times higher after S. aromaticum treatment of ‘Jarus’ compared to untreated cloves, while slightly increased TPC and two times higher TF values were found after treatment with T. vulgaris. Around 10% higher TPC and 1.5–3 times lower TF values were observed after the plant extract treatment of ‘Vasariai’ garlic cloves. Our study demonstrates initial changes in garlic cloves dependent on the plant extract treatment and cultivar. This provides important information for the future utilization of such technology, either alone or in combination with others. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Protected Culture)

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26 pages, 39489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploitation of Post-Ripening Treatment for Improving Cold Tolerance and Storage Period of Jin Huang Mango

by Ying-Che Lee, Meng-Chieh Yu, Chi-Yun Yen, Jyh-Shyan Tsay, Chih-Yao Hou, Po-Hsien Li, Ping-Hsiu Huang and Yu-Shen Liang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010103 - 20 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1508

Abstract

The limited cold tolerance of the Jin Huang mango represents a significant impediment to its potential for international trade. Therefore, this study evaluated the quality index changes of green maturity Jin Huang mangoes with different post-ripening treatments and then when stored at different [...] Read more.

The limited cold tolerance of the Jin Huang mango represents a significant impediment to its potential for international trade. Therefore, this study evaluated the quality index changes of green maturity Jin Huang mangoes with different post-ripening treatments and then when stored at different storage periods (7, 14, 21, and 28) at 4 °C followed by 6 days at 20 °C. This study showed that the mangoes treated with 500 ppm ethylene were slow to ripen during 4 °C storage, which could be sustainable even under 20 °C storage. In addition, the control (CK) group failed to mature or ripen unevenly after storage at 4 °C. Moreover, the T3 group (ethylene ripening for 1 day and post-ripening at 20 °C for 1 day) minimized the occurrence of CI during storage compared to the CK group while contributing to a 30% decrease in anthracnose incidence and a decrease in firmness and titratable acid (TA), while total soluble solids (TSS) notably increased, yet the ascorbic acid content in this group was lower. Hence, the treatment conditions of Jin Huang mango using T3 helped extend its shelf-life at 20 °C, stocking and minimizing CI and anthracnose, thereby maintaining a certain quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Maintaining Post-harvest Quality of Fruits and Vegetables)

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24 pages, 1443 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Microbial Consortia Versus Single-Strain Inoculants as Drought Stress Protectants in Potato Affected by the Form of N Supply

by Abdullah Al Mamun, Günter Neumann, Narges Moradtalab, Aneesh Ahmed, Brice Dupuis, Geoffrey Darbon, Fahim Nawaz, Stephane Declerck, Karin Mai, Wolfgang Vogt, Uwe Ludewig and Markus Weinmann

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010102 - 20 Jan 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2333

Abstract

This study investigated the drought protection effects of six fungal and bacterial inoculants and ten consortia thereof on vegetative growth, nutritional status, and tuberization of potato under controlled and field conditions. It was hypothesized that microbial consortia offer improved drought protection as compared [...] Read more.

This study investigated the drought protection effects of six fungal and bacterial inoculants and ten consortia thereof on vegetative growth, nutritional status, and tuberization of potato under controlled and field conditions. It was hypothesized that microbial consortia offer improved drought protection as compared with single strains, due to complementary or synergistic effects, with differential impacts also of N fertilization management. Under NO₃⁻ fertilization, a 70% reduction in water supply over six weeks reduced shoot and tuber biomass of non-inoculated plants by 30% and 50%, respectively, and induced phosphate (P) limitation compared to the well-watered control. The P nutritional status was significantly increased above the deficiency threshold by three single-strain inoculants and eight consortia. This was associated with the presence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) inoculant Rhizophagus irregularis MUCL41833 (five cases) and stimulation of root growth (five cases). Additionally, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 and AMF + Pseudomonas brassicacearum 3Re2-7 significantly reduced irreversible drought-induced leaf damage after recovery to well-watered conditions. However, the microbial inoculants did not mitigate drought-induced reductions in tuber biomass, neither in greenhouse nor in field experiments. By contrast, NH₄⁺-dominated fertilization significantly increased tuber biomass under drought stress (534%), which was further increased by additional AMF inoculation (951%). This coincided with (i) improved enzymatic detoxification of drought-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), (ii) improved osmotic adjustment in the shoot tissue (glycine betaine accumulation), (iii) increased shoot concentrations of ABA, jasmonic acid, and indole acetic acid, involved in drought stress signaling and tuberization, and (iv) reduced irreversible drought-induced leaf damage. Additional application of bacterial inoculants further improved ROS detoxification by increasing the production of antioxidants but stimulated biomass allocation towards shoot growth at the expense of tuber development. The results demonstrated that microbial consortia could increase the probability of drought protection effects influenced by the form of N supply. However, protective effects on vegetative growth do not necessarily translate into yield benefits, which can be achieved by adequate combination of inoculants and fertilizers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbes and Plant Stress Tolerance)

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23 pages, 3942 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Intercrop Competition on Productivity, Water Use Efficiency and Oil Quality of Chia in Semi-Arid Regions

by Chowdasandra Byregowda Harisha, Jagadish Rane, Gopikunte Ramegowda Halagunde Gowda, Sangram Bhanudas Chavan, Amresh Chaudhary, Arvind Kumar Verma, Yathendranaik Ravi, Honnappa Asangi, Hanamant Mudukappa Halli, Karnar Manjanna Boraiah, Patil Siddanagouda Basavaraj, Paritosh Kumar and Kotha Sammi Reddy

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010101 - 20 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1691

Abstract

Intercropping offers greater scope to introduce new crops. Cultivation of crops with diverse root architecture and different durations enhances the productivity of scarce resources like land and water. This study aimed to determine the effect of intercrop competition and irrigation regimes on yield, [...] Read more.

Intercropping offers greater scope to introduce new crops. Cultivation of crops with diverse root architecture and different durations enhances the productivity of scarce resources like land and water. This study aimed to determine the effect of intercrop competition and irrigation regimes on yield, competition, land usage, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and fatty acids of chia. The field experiment was conducted in semi-arid India during 2020–2022 with full (I₁₀₀) and deficit irrigation (I₅₀) and six intercrops. Results demonstrated that chia + fenugreek intercropping in I₅₀ improved the crops’ competitiveness, land equivalent ratio (LER) (1.77), land use efficiency (142.5%), and the IWUE of chia (23.2%). Notably, a chia + radish/spinach system in I₅₀ reduced the seed yield (42.6–45.0%) of chia over I₁₀₀ monocropping. A chia + fenugreek system in I₅₀ resulted in a higher seed yield (196.2 kg ha⁻¹) than chia monocropping in I₁₀₀. Further, chia + fenugreek intercropping resulted in higher omega-3 content (56.68%) under I₁₀₀. Therefore, a chia + fenugreek system under I₁₀₀ may be suggested over monocropping for better yield and oil quality. However, during water scarcity situations, growers can adopt a chia + fenugreek system under I₅₀ which can give a similar chia equivalent yield and a higher LER and IWUE compared to chia monocropping under I₁₀₀. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought Stress and Crop Water Management in Sustainable Horticultural Production)

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17 pages, 7135 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Early Bruise Detection in Apple Based on an Improved Faster RCNN Model

by Jingli Hou, Yuhang Che, Yanru Fang, Hongyi Bai and Laijun Sun

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010100 - 20 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1634

Abstract

Bruising is a common occurrence in apples that can lead to gradual fruit decay and substantial economic losses. Due to the lack of visible external features, the detection of early-stage bruising (occurring within 0.5 h) is difficult. Moreover, the identification of stems and [...] Read more.

Bruising is a common occurrence in apples that can lead to gradual fruit decay and substantial economic losses. Due to the lack of visible external features, the detection of early-stage bruising (occurring within 0.5 h) is difficult. Moreover, the identification of stems and calyxes is also important. Here, we studied the use of the short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera and the Faster RCNN model to enable the identification of bruises on apples. To evaluate the effectiveness of early bruise detection by SWIR bands compared to the visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) bands, a hybrid dataset with images from two cameras with different bands was used for validation. To improve the accuracy of the model in detecting apple bruises, calyxes, and stems, several improvements are implemented. Firstly, the Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) structure was integrated into the ResNet50 feature extraction network. Additionally, the Normalization-based Attention Module (NAM) was incorporated into the residual network, serving to bolster the attention of model towards detection targets while effectively mitigating the impact of irrelevant features. To reduce false positives and negatives, the Intersection over Union (IoU) metric was replaced with the Complete-IoU (CIoU). Comparison of the detection performance of the Faster RCNN model, YOLOv4P model, YOLOv5s model, and the improved Faster RCNN model, showed that the improved model had the best evaluation indicators. It achieved a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 97.4% and F1 score of 0.87. The results of research indicate that it is possible to accurately and effectively identify early bruises, calyxes, and stems on apples using SWIR cameras and deep learning models. This provides new ideas for real-time online sorting of apples for the presence of bruises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Handling and Nondestructive Detection of Fresh Horticulture Crops)

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47 pages, 11604 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

A Review of the Main Process-Based Approaches for Modeling N₂O Emissions from Agricultural Soils

by Mara Gabbrielli, Marina Allegrezza, Giorgio Ragaglini, Antonio Manco, Luca Vitale and Alessia Perego

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010098 - 19 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1738

Abstract

Modeling approaches have emerged to address uncertainties arising from N₂O emissions variability, representing a powerful methodology to investigate the two emitting processes (i.e., nitrification and denitrification) and to represent the interconnected dynamics among soil, atmosphere, and crops. This work offers an [...] Read more.

Modeling approaches have emerged to address uncertainties arising from N₂O emissions variability, representing a powerful methodology to investigate the two emitting processes (i.e., nitrification and denitrification) and to represent the interconnected dynamics among soil, atmosphere, and crops. This work offers an extensive overview of the widely used models simulating N₂O under different cropping systems and management practices. We selected process-based models, prioritizing those with well-documented algorithms found in recently published scientific articles or having published source codes. We reviewed and compared the algorithms employed to simulate N₂O emissions, adopting a unified symbol system. The selected models (APSIM, ARMOSA, CERES-EGC, CROPSYST, CoupModel, DAYCENT, DNDC, DSSAT, EPIC, SPACSYS, and STICS) were categorized by the approaches used to model nitrification and denitrification processes, discriminating between implicit or explicit consideration of the microbial pool and according to the formalization of the main environmental drivers of these processes (soil nitrogen concentration, temperature, moisture, and acidity). Models’ setting and performance assessments were also discussed. From the appraisal of these approaches, it emerged that soil chemical–physical properties and weather conditions are the main drivers of N cycling and the consequent gaseous emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies and Practices for Soil Fertility Management)

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9 pages, 1997 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Optimization of In Vitro Regeneration of Pinus peuce (Gris.)

by Dragana Stojičić, Snežana Budimir, Vlado Čokeša and Branka Uzelac

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010097 - 19 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1249

Abstract

Pinus peuce (Macedonian pine) is considered a valuable ornamental tree that is frequently planted in parks and gardens, especially in Western Europe. This endemic pine is one of the most valuable conifer species in its native range, which currently consists of only two [...] Read more.

Pinus peuce (Macedonian pine) is considered a valuable ornamental tree that is frequently planted in parks and gardens, especially in Western Europe. This endemic pine is one of the most valuable conifer species in its native range, which currently consists of only two disjunct populations restricted to small mountainous areas of the Balkans and is listed as a near-threatened species. The reproduction of Macedonian pine by seed is limited, so in vitro propagation methods have emerged as a promising tool for large-scale propagation. The objective of this study was to develop an improved system for the micropropagation of P. peuce from juvenile plant material using a short-term liquid cytokinin pulse. For that, explants derived from 4-week-old seedlings were pulse-treated with different concentrations of N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) for 1 or 2 h to stimulate the induction of axillary buds. The highest axillary shoot formation was achieved with 222 µM BA pulse treatment, with an average number of ~six shoots per explant. Elongated shoots (≥10 mm) were detached from the explants and pulse-treated with 0.27 or 1.08 mM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 0.25 or 0.98 mM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 1 or 2 h. IBA was more effective than NAA and led to a maximum rooting percentage (up to 40%) and the highest number of acclimatized plants (15–20%). Rooted plants were successfully transferred to ex vitro conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Micropropagation of Horticultural and Medicinal Plants)

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14 pages, 3392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Changes in Gene Expression Associated with Anthocyanin Metabolism in Begonia semperflorens under Light Conditions

by Kunkun Zhao, Airong Liu, Yuanbing Zhang, Weixin Liu, Zhimin Zhao and Shuyue Yang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010096 - 19 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1433

Abstract

Anthocyanins, recognized as stress indicators, particularly under high-light conditions, play a pivotal role in plant stress responses. The advent of transcriptomics has opened avenues to elucidate the mechanisms underlying high light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis. This study delved into transcriptomic changes in Begonia semperflorens leaves [...] Read more.

Anthocyanins, recognized as stress indicators, particularly under high-light conditions, play a pivotal role in plant stress responses. The advent of transcriptomics has opened avenues to elucidate the mechanisms underlying high light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis. This study delved into transcriptomic changes in Begonia semperflorens leaves under varying light intensities: 950–9600 lx (TL_100), 6800–7000 lx (HS_75), and 4300–4500 lx (LS_25). To confirm the expression profiles of the key genes, we chose 12 critical genes associated with anthocyanin production for quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-qPCR) analysis. Following this, we measured the levels of anthocyanins to substantiate the findings from the gene expression analysis. The transcriptome assembly in this study was extensive, yielding 43,038 unigenes that collectively spanned about 49.83 million base pairs, with an average unigene length of 1157 bp and an N50 value of 1685 bp. This assembly facilitated a thorough functional annotation across seven distinct protein databases, leading to the classification of 16,363 unigenes into 58 different families of transcription factors. Our comparative analysis of the transcriptomes highlighted a substantial number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs): 5411 DEGs between HS_75 and TL_100 conditions, with 3078 showing increased expression and 2333 showing decreased expression; 4701 DEGs between LS_25 and TL_100, consisting of 2648 up-regulated and 2053 down-regulated genes; and 6558 DEGs between LS_25 and HS_75, with 3032 genes up-regulated and 3526 down-regulated. These DEGs were significantly involved in critical pathways, such as anthocyanin synthesis, plant hormone signaling, and other regulatory mechanisms. This study suggests that genes, including F3′H, MYB102, and SWEET1, could play vital roles in regulating anthocyanin synthesis in response to various light conditions, potentially impacting the expression levels of other genes, like WRKYs, ATHB12, and those similar to HSP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Propagation and Cultivation of Ornamental Plants)

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15 pages, 2674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fine-Tuning Grape Phytochemistry: Examining the Distinct Influence of Oak Ash and Potassium Carbonate Pre-Treatments on Essential Components

by Ozkan Kaya, Hava Delavar, Fadime Ates, Turhan Yilmaz, Muge Sahin and Nurhan Keskin

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010095 - 19 Jan 2024

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1439

Abstract

Understanding the impact of pre-treatment methods on the phytochemical composition of grapes is essential for optimizing grape quality and producing raisins with desirable characteristics. Therefore, this study meticulously analyzed the impact of two distinct pre-treatment methods, oak ash and potassium carbonate (K₂ [...] Read more.

Understanding the impact of pre-treatment methods on the phytochemical composition of grapes is essential for optimizing grape quality and producing raisins with desirable characteristics. Therefore, this study meticulously analyzed the impact of two distinct pre-treatment methods, oak ash and potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃), on the composition of essential phytochemical components in grapes. This research encompassed phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phytoalexins. This study investigates the impact of pre-treatment methods, oak ash and K₂CO₃, on the phytochemical composition of grapes. Significant differences were observed in anthocyanins, flavonoids, phytoalexins, and phenolic acids between the treatments. Oak ash exhibited advantages in preserving specific compounds, including higher levels of anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanones, catechins, resveratrol, pterostilbene, and viniferin, compared to K₂CO₃. Notably, the delphinidin-3-O-glycoside content was significantly higher in the oak ash treatment. An analysis of phenolic compounds revealed distinctions in hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, benzaldehyde, and phenylacetaldehyde. Additionally, gallic acid, vanillic acid, trans-caffeic acid, trans-p-coumaric acid, and (-)-epicatechin were significantly more prevalent in the K₂CO₃ treatment, while ferulic acid and quercetin were more prevalent in the oak ash treatment. These findings underscore the pivotal role of pre-treatment methods in shaping the phytochemical content of grapes, thus holding critical implications for grape-derived products’ quality and potential health benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Viticulture: Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Grape Quality)

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20 pages, 3148 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Innovative Tools for Nitrogen Fertilization Traceability in Organic Farming Products: A Cauliflower Case Study

by Gabriele Campanelli, Margherita Amenta, Luana Bontempo, Fabrizio Leteo, Francesco Montemurro, Cristiano Platani, Nicolina Timpanaro, Biagio Torrisi and Simona Fabroni

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010094 - 18 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1775

Abstract

Different research works have been carried out over the years to investigate new and reliable systems to test the authenticity of products obtained using organic cultivation methods. Based on a previously proposed integrated approach for discriminating organic from conventional products through the acquisition [...] Read more.

Different research works have been carried out over the years to investigate new and reliable systems to test the authenticity of products obtained using organic cultivation methods. Based on a previously proposed integrated approach for discriminating organic from conventional products through the acquisition of isotopic data and other chemical and biochemical parameters, we herein report the results of an open-field cultivation case study for cauliflower crop. Experiments were carried out on soil, leaves, and corymb samples of cauliflowers grown using six different nitrogen fertilization treatments (organic, conventional, and mixed at different % of mineral fertilizers). The results of this study have shown that a multivariate analysis of isotopic data (¹³C/¹²C; ¹⁵N/¹⁴N, ³⁴S/³²S, ²H/¹H, and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O isotopic ratios) combined with other parameters (fresh weight, total soluble solids, total acidity, cut resistance, CIE L*, a*, b* color indices, head height, head diameter, ascorbic acid content, total polyphenols, and ORAC units) performed using the linear discriminant analysis method gives researchers the possibility to discriminate organic products from conventional ones. Our study highlighted that the different isotopic signatures impressed on the cauliflowers by the different nitrogenous sources combined with the qualitative pattern of the crop, significantly affected by the different treatments, could effectively be jointly used to trace the organic origin of the crop. Full article

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14 pages, 299 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in the Quality Improvement of Fruit Wines: A Review

by Lei He, Yifan Yan, Min Wu and Leqin Ke

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010093 - 18 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2326

Abstract

Fruit wines have gained great interest in recent years due to the increasingly diverse demands of consumers for different fruit wines with different colors, flavors, and nutritional values. Some fruits such as blueberry and strawberry are perishable and have a short shelf life. [...] Read more.

Fruit wines have gained great interest in recent years due to the increasingly diverse demands of consumers for different fruit wines with different colors, flavors, and nutritional values. Some fruits such as blueberry and strawberry are perishable and have a short shelf life. The production of fruit wine reduces fruit losses after harvest and enhances fruit utilization. The production of fruit wine with premium quality is determined by both intrinsic (i.e., genetic background) and extrinsic factors (e.g., yeast and fermentation protocol). This article provides an updated overview on the strategies and technologies aiming to improve the quality of fruit wines. Recent progress in improving fruit wine quality by variety selection, post-harvest treatments, yeast selection, fermentation protocols, fermentation conditions, and aging technologies has been comprehensively reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Improvement of Fruit Wine Flavor)

14 pages, 3748 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological and Productivity Responses in Two Chili Pepper Morphotypes (Capsicum annuum L.) under Different Soil Moisture Contents

by Aurelio Pedroza-Sandoval, José Rafael Minjares-Fuentes, Ricardo Trejo-Calzada and Isaac Gramillo-Avila

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010092 - 18 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1635

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore some physiological and productivity responses of two chili pepper morphotypes (Capsicum annum L.) exposed to different soil moisture contents. A randomized block design in a split-plot arrangement with four replicates was used. The large [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to explore some physiological and productivity responses of two chili pepper morphotypes (Capsicum annum L.) exposed to different soil moisture contents. A randomized block design in a split-plot arrangement with four replicates was used. The large plots (32 m long and 3.2 m width) were 25% ± 2 as the optimum soil moisture content (OSMC), and 20% ± 2 as the suboptimum soil moisture content (SSMC); the small plots (16 m long and 3.2 m width) were two chili pepper morphotypes: Jalapeño and Chilaca, respectively. Jalapeño plants showed more stability in relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic activity (µmol CO₂/m²/s), and a relatively low transpiration (mmol H₂O/m²/s) and stomatal conductance (µmol H₂O/m²/s); therefore, it had a higher number of flowers per plant and number of fruits per plant, consequently recording a high fruit production of 3.94 and 2.99 kg/m² in OSMC and SSMC, respectively. In contrast, the Chilaca chili showed low stability in water relative content (WRC), photosynthesis, and transpiration, going from OSMC to SSMC, as well as showed a lower yield in SSMC; however, all of that was compensated by its size and weight of the fruit per plant, with a yield of 4.95 kg/m² in OSMC. Therefore, the Jalapeño chili pepper could be an option when the irrigation water is limited, and the Chilaca chili pepper when this resource is not limited. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drought Stress and Crop Water Management in Sustainable Horticultural Production)

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13 pages, 1897 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chip Digital PCR (cdPCR) to Identify and Quantify Botrytis cinerea Infection in Tomatoes

by Caterina Morcia, Ilaria Carrara, Roberta Ghizzoni, Valeria Terzi, Giovanni Bolli and Giorgio Chiusa

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010091 - 18 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2036

Abstract

Botrytis cinerea is a fungal pathogen present in almost any environment, able to cause a severe postharvest disease on a wide range of crops, resulting in significant economic losses. Furthermore, B. cinerea is frequently found in plant tissues as a latent, asymptomatic infection [...] Read more.

Botrytis cinerea is a fungal pathogen present in almost any environment, able to cause a severe postharvest disease on a wide range of crops, resulting in significant economic losses. Furthermore, B. cinerea is frequently found in plant tissues as a latent, asymptomatic infection that, when stimulated by favorable alterations in the environment or the physiology of the host, can swiftly develop into a significant symptomatic infection. In greenhouses, fields, and on propagation materials, the principal strategy adopted to control infection is the use of chemical fungicides or eco-friendly alternative methods. For the optimal success of conventional and biocontrol treatments, it is crucial to monitor the disease development and the fungal infection entity. The aim of this work was to develop a fast new method based on chip digital PCR (cdPCR) to estimate the extent of the B. cinerea infection in tomatoes. To better evaluate the amount of plant infection, a duplex assay able to co-amplify both fungal and host plant DNA was fine-tuned. The cdPCR assays were applied to quantify B. cinerea in tomato seedling samples, both naturally and artificially contaminated. The developed method offers sensitive detection, reliable identification, and precise pathogen quantification. The method can be used for B. cinerea diagnostics along the tomato production chain, starting from the seeds and transplanting seedlings to plants and crop residues in open fields and greenhouses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study directed at applying cdPCR to B. cinerea diagnosis in tomatoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Detection and Prevention of Fungal Pathogens in Horticultural Products)

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7 pages, 217 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Landscape and Fruit Evaluation of Three Privet (Ligustrum sp.) Cultivars in Florida

by Julia J. Rycyna, Sandra B. Wilson, Zhanao Deng, Basil V. Iannone III and Gary W. Knox

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010090 - 18 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1150

Abstract

Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) has escaped cultivation in 20 states in the USA and is classified as a noxious weed in Florida, where its use is prohibited. There is confusion among producers and consumers surrounding the invasive status of its cultivars. [...] Read more.

Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) has escaped cultivation in 20 states in the USA and is classified as a noxious weed in Florida, where its use is prohibited. There is confusion among producers and consumers surrounding the invasive status of its cultivars. In Florida, cultivars of an invasive wildtype species are also invasive unless proven otherwise and exempted from an invasive ruling. This study evaluated the fruiting and landscape performance of two cultivars of Chinese privet, ‘Variegatum’ (variegated privet) and ‘Sunshine’ (sunshine privet), and an interspecific hybrid of another form of privet, ‘NCLX1’ (L. × vicaryi, Golden Ticket^®), planted in southwest, northcentral, and north Florida. ‘Sunshine’ and ‘Variegatum’ privet both performed well throughout the study with average quality ratings ranging from 3.2 to 4.9 (scale of 1–5) and a 100% survival rate during the nearly two-year study. ‘NCLX1’ privet also had a 100% survival rate at the southwest and northcentral sites, but 80% survival at the north Florida site. ‘Variegatum’ privet grew the largest in both height and width compared to ‘Sunshine’ and ‘NCLX1’ privet, that had similar heights. ‘Variegatum’ and ‘NCLX1’ privet flowered during the study, but ‘Sunshine’ privet did not. ‘Variegatum’ privet was the only cultivar evaluated to produce mature fruit and show clear signs of reversion back to its green wildtype form. The DNA content of all three cultivars suggests they are diploids, as is the wildtype form of Chinese privet. These results provide potential alternatives to Chinese privet for use in landscapes but recommend avoiding ‘Variegatum’ privet, due to its frequent reversion to the wildtype and its abundant fruit production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape, and Turf)

21 pages, 2758 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Exogenous Melatonin on the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Ginkgo biloba L. under Salinity Stress Conditions

by Dan Zhou, Meng Li, Xiujun Wang, Haiyan Li, Zihang Li and Qingwei Li

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010089 - 17 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1474

Abstract

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is a cherished relic among plants, commonly planted as a street tree. However, it faces cultivation challenges due to escalating soil salinization and widespread snowmelt application. Therefore, this study used 4-year-old Ginkgo seedlings to investigate how exogenous melatonin [...] Read more.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is a cherished relic among plants, commonly planted as a street tree. However, it faces cultivation challenges due to escalating soil salinization and widespread snowmelt application. Therefore, this study used 4-year-old Ginkgo seedlings to investigate how exogenous melatonin at varying concentrations affects seedling growth and physiology under salinity stress. The results revealed that appropriate melatonin concentrations (0.02, 0.1 mmol·L⁻¹) significantly mitigated leaf yellowing under different NaCl stress levels. Furthermore, they increased ground diameter, current-year branch growth, relative water concentration, free proline, and soluble sugars in leaves. Melatonin also reduced electrolyte exudation rates, flavonoids, and malonic dialdehyde concentration, while enhancing peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. This led to reduced chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, stabilizing intercellular CO₂ concentration, preserving photosynthetic structures, and enhancing photosynthetic rates. Additionally, the decline in the photosynthetic electron transport rate, the effective photochemical quantum yield of PSII, and the potential efficiency of primary conversion of light energy of PSII was alleviated. Minimal fluorescence and the non-photochemical quenching coefficient also improved. However, high melatonin concentration (0.5 mmol·L⁻¹) exacerbated salinity stress. After analyzing composite scores, the 0.02 mmol·L⁻¹ melatonin treatment was most effective in alleviating NaCl stress, while the 0.5 mmol·L⁻¹ treatment intensified physiological stress under 200 mmol·L⁻¹ NaCl stress. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis identified seven physiological indicators (photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, photosynthetic electron transport rate, minimal fluorescence, superoxide dismutase, free proline, and chlorophyll a) and three growth indicators (ground diameter, branch length, and current-year branch thickness) as key markers for rapid salinity stress assessment in Ginkgo. These findings are crucial for addressing challenges associated with snowmelt’s impact on roadside Ginkgo trees, expanding planting areas, and breeding exceptional salt-tolerant Ginkgo varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research of Physiological of Horticultural Crop Resistance to Abiotic Stresses)

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5 pages, 194 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advancements in In Vitro Technology: A Comprehensive Exploration of Micropropagated Plants

by Dariusz Kulus and Alicja Tymoszuk

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010088 - 17 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2876

Abstract

In recent decades, the field of plant science has witnessed several breakthrough discoveries, particularly through the application of in vitro technology [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Vitro Technology and Micropropagated Plants)

15 pages, 1357 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Identification of the Loci Associated with Resistance to Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum) Using DArTSeq Markers and Continuous Mapping

by Brigitte Uwimana, Gloria Valentine Nakato, Reagan Kanaabi, Catherine Nasuuna, Gerald Mwanje, George Simba Mahuku, Violet Akech, Marnik Vuylsteke, Rony Swennen and Trushar Shah

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010087 - 16 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1561

Abstract

Banana Xanthomonas wilt, caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum (Xvm), is a devastating disease that results in total yield loss of affected plants. Resistance to the disease is limited in Musa acuminata, but it has been identified so far in [...] Read more.

Banana Xanthomonas wilt, caused by Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum (Xvm), is a devastating disease that results in total yield loss of affected plants. Resistance to the disease is limited in Musa acuminata, but it has been identified so far in the zebrina subspecies. This study identified markers associated with tolerance to Xvm in Monyet, a tetraploid banana from the zebrina subspecies which was identified to be partially resistant to the bacterium. We used a triploid progeny of 135 F₁ hybrids resulting from a cross between Monyet (Xvm partially resistant) and Kokopo (diploid and Xvm susceptible). The F₁ hybrids were screened in pots for resistance to Xvm. The population was genotyped using the genotyping-by-sequencing platform of Diversity Array Technology (DArTSeq). The adjusted means of the phenotypic data were combined with the allele frequencies of the genotypic data in continuous mapping. We identified 25 SNPs associated with resistance to Xvm, and these were grouped into five quantitative traits loci (QTL) on chromosomes 2, 3, 6, and 7. For each marker, we identified the favorable allele and the additive effect of replacing the reference allele with the alternative allele. The comparison between weevil borer (Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar)) and Xvm QTL revealed one QTL shared between the two biotic stresses at the distal end of chromosome 6 but with a repulsion linkage. This linkage should be broken down by generating more recombinants in the region. We also identified 18 putative alleles in the vicinity of the SNPs associated with resistance to Xvm. Among the 18 putative genes, two particularly putative genes, namely, Ma06_g13550 and Ma06_g36840, are most likely linked to disease resistance. This study is a basis for marker-assisted selection to improve banana resistance to banana Xanthomonas wilt, especially in East and Central Africa where the disease is still devastating the crop. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments in the Genetics and Breeding of Banana Species)

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13 pages, 2797 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Establishment of an Ex Situ Collection of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. as a Prerequisite for Field Cultivation in Bulgaria

by Asya Kozhuharova, Milena Nikolova, Stoyan Stoyanov, Elina Yankova-Tsvetkova, Vladimir Ilinkin, Strahil Berkov and Marina Stanilova

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010086 - 16 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1172

Abstract

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as licorice, is a perennial medicinal plant. Its healing properties are due mainly to the secondary metabolites glycyrrhizin and flavonoids accumulated in the roots of plants aged 3 years or more. Overexploitation of licorice populations in Bulgaria [...] Read more.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as licorice, is a perennial medicinal plant. Its healing properties are due mainly to the secondary metabolites glycyrrhizin and flavonoids accumulated in the roots of plants aged 3 years or more. Overexploitation of licorice populations in Bulgaria led to their rapid decrease. The species is protected by the national Biodiversity Act. The present study aimed at establishing of an ex situ collection of G. glabra using plant material originating from its Bulgarian populations in order to evaluate the main characteristics of the cultivated plants and their potential use as a source of plant material for the creation of a plantation. Plants were obtained from stolon cuttings of donor wild-growing plants from three Bulgarian populations and then cultivated for 3 years in the experimental field plot. Plants originating from all three populations produced glycyrrhizin and flavonoids in similar concentrations under the controlled conditions of the ex situ collection, despite the significant inter-population differences noted in situ. The soil type and supply of soil organic matter, total nitrogen and other nutrients turned out to be most important for the quality of plants in terms of both their growth and biosynthetic capacity. In addition, in vitro micropropagation has proven to be a suitable method for accelerating seedling production. These results would be of practical importance in establishing an agricultural plantation of G. glabra. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants: Recent Advances in Botany and Horticulture)

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14 pages, 2651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring MicroRNAs Associated with Pomegranate Pistil Development: An Identification and Analysis Study

by Yujie Zhao, Jingyi Huang, Ming Li, Hongfang Ren, Jian Jiao, Ran Wan, Yu Liu, Miaomiao Wang, Jiangli Shi, Kunxi Zhang, Pengbo Hao, Shangwei Song, Tuanhui Bai and Xianbo Zheng

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010085 - 16 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1336

Abstract

The interaction between miRNAs (microRNAs) and target genes plays an important role in plant pistil development. MiRNAs related to pistils were explored in pomegranate. The differentially expressed miRNAs were screened at different developmental stages of pomegranate pistils, and their target differentially expressed mRNAs [...] Read more.

The interaction between miRNAs (microRNAs) and target genes plays an important role in plant pistil development. MiRNAs related to pistils were explored in pomegranate. The differentially expressed miRNAs were screened at different developmental stages of pomegranate pistils, and their target differentially expressed mRNAs were further identified to clarify the regulatory effect of miRNAs on pistil development. In our study, 61 conserved miRNAs were identified in 30 families, including miR395, miR394, miR393, miR161, miR162, and miR168. Among them, miR156, miR157, miR159, miR160, miR164, miR165, miR166, miR167, miR169, and miR172 were involved in the development of flower organs. Eight miRNAs were randomly selected and verified for qRT-PCR analysis. The result analysis indicated that miR160, miR164, and miR172 might be positive factors in the regulation of pomegranate pistil development. MiR156 and miR166 might be involved in regulation of pomegranate pistil development as negative factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Pomegranate Germplasm, Breeding, Genetics and Multiomics)

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17 pages, 2905 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mediator Subunit RhMED15a Regulates Drought Tolerance in Rose

by Xiaoman Shang, Nanxin Xie, Yalin Li, Zixin Zhao, Ping Luo, Yongyi Cui, Xianlong Rao and Wen Chen

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010084 - 15 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1376

Abstract

Mediator is a multiprotein complex integral to the transcription machinery, mediated by RNA polymerase II. Some Mediator subunits have been found to have critical functions in plants’ responses to abiotic stresses. However, the role of plant Mediator subunits in drought responses remains largely [...] Read more.

Mediator is a multiprotein complex integral to the transcription machinery, mediated by RNA polymerase II. Some Mediator subunits have been found to have critical functions in plants’ responses to abiotic stresses. However, the role of plant Mediator subunits in drought responses remains largely enigmatic. Here, we identified a Mediator subunit, RhMED15a, in roses (Rosa hybrida). Its expression was greatly and swiftly induced by dehydration treatment in the root. The promoter sequence of RhMED15a contains cis-acting elements that respond to abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). In addition, the expression of RhMED15a was significantly up-regulated with ABA treatment and inversely down-regulated with MeJA treatment. Silencing RhMED15a using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in roses significantly reduced drought tolerance in rose plants. This resulted in a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and a decreased survival rate in comparison to TRV controls. Moreover, we found that the expression of five drought-related genes, including dehydration responsive element binding factor 1B (DREB1B), responsive to desiccation stress 29A (RD29A), responsive to desiccation stress 29B (RD29B), early response to dehydration 14 (ERD14), and 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 1 (NCED1), was considerably suppressed in RhMED15a-silenced plants during drought stress. Taken together, our results present that the Mediator tail module subunit RhMED15a serves as an enhancer of drought tolerance in rose, probably through the modulation of the expression of some drought-related genes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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16 pages, 3733 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of TPR Gene Family in Cucurbitaceae and Expression Profiling under Abiotic Stress in Cucumis melo L.

by Shuoshuo Wang, Yuchen Meng, Fei Ding, Kuo Yang, Chuang Wang, Hengjia Zhang and Han Jin

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010083 - 15 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1479

Abstract

Tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) proteins play numerous roles in plant growth and development by mediating protein–protein interactions in biological systems by binding to peptide ligands. Although genome-wide analyses of the TPR gene family in other species have been performed, its evolution and function in [...] Read more.

Tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) proteins play numerous roles in plant growth and development by mediating protein–protein interactions in biological systems by binding to peptide ligands. Although genome-wide analyses of the TPR gene family in other species have been performed, its evolution and function in Cucurbitaceae remain unclear. In this study, 144 TPR genes from 11 genomes of eight Cucurbitaceae species with a heterogeneous distribution on the chromosomes were characterized. Based on the homology between Cucurbitaceae and Arabidopsis, the TPR genes were divided into four groups, and the evolutionary relationships of the Benincaceae and Cucurbitaceae tribes were also represented in a phylogenetic tree. Using the ‘DHL92′ genome as a reference, an integrated chromosome map was obtained containing 34 loci, 4 of which were common to the Cucurbitaceae. Cis-regulatory element analysis showed that these elements are essential for melon development and responses to light, phytohormones, and various stresses. CmTPR tissue- and development-specific expression analysis revealed differential expression patterns under normal growth conditions. Furthermore, the CmTPR genes responded to various abiotic stressors. Overall, this study offers insights into the evolutionary history of the TPR gene family in Cucurbitaceae and provides valuable information for elucidating the potential role of CmTPR genes during development and under different stresses in melon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis for the Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants)

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14 pages, 2218 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Approach for Element Characterization of Grapevine Tissue with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

by Renan Tosin, Filipe Monteiro-Silva, Rui Martins and Mario Cunha

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010082 - 15 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1557

Abstract

The determination of grape quality parameters is intricately linked to the mineral composition of the fruit; this relationship is increasingly affected by the impacts of climate change. The conventional chemical methodologies employed for the mineral quantification of grape tissues are expensive and impracticable [...] Read more.

The determination of grape quality parameters is intricately linked to the mineral composition of the fruit; this relationship is increasingly affected by the impacts of climate change. The conventional chemical methodologies employed for the mineral quantification of grape tissues are expensive and impracticable for widespread commercial applications. This paper utilized Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to analyze the mineral constituents within the skin, pulp, and seeds of two distinct Vitis vinifera cultivars: a white cultivar (Loureiro) and a red cultivar (Vinhão). The primary objective was to discriminate the potential variations in the calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and nitrogen (N) concentrations and water content among different grape tissues, explaining their consequential impact on the metabolic constitution of the grapes and, by extension, their influence on various quality parameters. Additionally, the study compared the mineral contents of the white and red grape cultivars across three distinct time points post veraison. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the Loureiro and Vinhão cultivars in Ca concentrations across all the dates and tissues and for Mg in the skin and pulp, N in the pulp and seeds, and water content in the skin and pulp. In the Vinhão cultivar, Ca differences were found in the pulp across the dates, N in the seeds, and water content in the skin, pulp, and seeds. Comparing the cultivars within tissues, Ca exhibited differences in the pulp, Mg in the skin and pulp, N in the pulp and seeds, and water content in the skin, pulp, and seeds. These findings provide insights into the relationship between the grape mineral and water content, climatic factors, and viticulture practices within a changing climate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Grapevine Facing Climate Change: From Land, through Plants to Grapes and Wine)

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13 pages, 2728 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity of Crithmum maritimum L. from Salento Coastal Area: A Suitable Species for Domestication

by Rita Accogli, Eliana Nutricati, Luigi De Bellis, Massimiliano Renna, Andrea Luvisi and Carmine Negro

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010081 - 14 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1851

Abstract

Crithmum maritimum L., known as sea fennel, is an aromatic halophyte typical of the cliffs and coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Their phytochemicals have been of great interest in the food and pharmaceutical industry. In this work, we analyzed, [...] Read more.

Crithmum maritimum L., known as sea fennel, is an aromatic halophyte typical of the cliffs and coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Their phytochemicals have been of great interest in the food and pharmaceutical industry. In this work, we analyzed, by SPME/gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, the chemical variability of C. maritimum accessions in terms of volatile organic compounds. C. maritimum seeds were collected from different coastal sites in Salento, Southern Apulia, Italy, and subsequently cultivated ex situ. Several volatile compounds produced by C. maritimum leaves were detected, and, among them, D-limonene was found to be emitted at high levels by plants of all accessions representing the main compound, while other monoterpenes were produced at low levels. Moreover, the phenylpropene volatiles dillapiol and apiol (designated together as (dill)apiol) were emitted at variable amounts with different accessions. The correlation among groups based on volatile compounds has been analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis, which has revealed three main groups based on (dill)apiol presence and its total amount in the cultivated plants of different geographic origins, confirming intraspecies biodiversity. Moreover, we have evaluated the seed germination and seedling development of C. maritimum in controlled conditions. We found no dormancy and a high germination rate for all samples analyzed. The chemo-diversity evidenced in cultivated plants obtained from seeds collected at different locations on the Salento peninsula is probably related to variations in climate resulting from different exposures along the coast. These findings highlighted the importance of C.maritimum as a suitable candidate for cultivation because it can tolerate harsh conditions/stresses and also has a possible use besides food and pharmaceuticals and for the restoration of coastal environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Mediterranean Biodiversity)

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Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Chitosan Coating Incorporated with Carvacrol Improves Postharvest Guava (Psidium guajava) Quality

by Chang Shu, Beatrice Kim-Lee and Xiuxiu Sun

Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010080 - 14 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1877

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important economic crop grown widely in tropical and subtropical regions. Guava exhibits fast ripening and senescence as a climacteric fruit, causing a short shelf life and quality deterioration. Chitosan–essential oil nanoemulsions can be an edible coating [...] Read more.

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important economic crop grown widely in tropical and subtropical regions. Guava exhibits fast ripening and senescence as a climacteric fruit, causing a short shelf life and quality deterioration. Chitosan–essential oil nanoemulsions can be an edible coating used to improve postharvest quality attributes. In this study, chitosan was mixed with carvacrol to generate a nano-emulsoid solution containing 0.1 and 0.2% (v/v) carvacrol, using a sonic dismembrator. Guava fruit were coated with the above emulsion and postharvest quality parameters were measured during storage at 20 ± 1 °C and RH = 80 ± 5% for 8 days. The result illustrated that the particle size of the chitosan–carvacrol emulsions was nanoscale, and their high stability was demonstrated by the zeta potential and polydispersity index. Chitosan coating (2%, w/v, 310–375 kDa) containing 0.2% (v/v) carvacrol maintained postharvest quality compared to chitosan alone, with higher firmness, soluble solid content, total acid, and total phenol content, and lower weight loss and pericarp browning. The collective data were further verified by principal component analysis. A chitosan coating containing carvacrol can reduce postharvest losses. It can be applied as an effective strategy to improve postharvest fruit quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements in Postharvest Fruit Quality and Physiological Mechanism)

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Horticulturae, Volume 10, Issue 1 (January 2024) – 109 articles

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