Effects of Biostimulants on Horticultural Crop Production
A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Fruit Production Systems".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 3155
Special Issue Editors
Interests: floriculture; medicinal plants; compost; biostimulants
Interests: vegetable crops; herbs; biofortification; nanobiotechnology; biostimulants; physiology of stress
Interests: horticulture; floriculture; vegetables; medicinal plants and herbs; biostimulants
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Horticultural crop production includes a variety of production systems that are typified by lower land requirements compared to agricultural practices; however, horticultural production systems are nevertheless expected to yield high-quality products for human consumption. Such production requires intensive use of water, soil, fertilizers and pesticides, often applied in excess and leaving a significant environmental impact. Taking into account the increasing demand for healthier diets, the rising global population and the negative impacts of climate change, it is evident that this rapidly growing branch requires establishment of more sustainable production practices. A promising solution may come in the form of the application of biostimulants as pure compounds or as formulations of bioactive compounds that enhance plant and root growth, nutrient uptake, tolerance to abiotic stress, and crop quality. The application of biostimulants offers a balanced approach that considers both productivity and the environment by reducing the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Today, many studies have become available that confirm the positive effects of biostimulants on the mentioned characteristics of plants or the plant rhizosphere, and a huge number of compounds, including inorganic materials, microorganisms, humic acid, fulvic acids, protein hydrolysates, seaweed extracts, and industrial wastes, are currently used as biostimulants. Yet, there is a clear lack of knowledge regarding whether these compounds may have synergistic effects if applied in combination. Moreover, research on their effects on plant physiology and how they impact horticultural crops at the molecular level is still required.
This Special Issue aims to survey the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of biostimulants in horticultural crop production, whilst also discussing their composition, timing, and mode of application in order to elucidate their mode of action, increase their efficiency, and achieve more sustainable high-yield production.
Dr. Monika Tkalec Kojić
Dr. Tomislav Vinković
Dr. Nada Parađiković
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- biostimulants
- microorganisms
- humic acid
- fulvic acids
- protein hydrolysates
- seaweed extracts
- industrial wastes
- abiotic stress
- horticultural crops
- sustainability
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.
