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Horticulturae
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Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops
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Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2025 | Viewed by 12287

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Wacław Jarecki

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Guest Editor
Department of Crop Production, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4 St., 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
Interests: agrotechnics; fertilization; foliar fertilization; nutrients; legumes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Maciej Balawejder

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry and Food Toxicology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, Collegium of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, St. Ćwiklińskiej 2D, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: fruit and vegetables; storage; ozonation; herbicide residues; active compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Natalia Matłok

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food and Agriculture Production Engineering, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4 St., 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: orchard; vegetables; herbs; abiotic and biotic stresses

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To meet the ever-increasing global demand for food, the agricultural community continues to seek innovative practices to boost crop yields without sacrificing the environment. For example, using huge amounts of fertilizers hampers soil health and generates pollution. Integrated nutrient management paves the way towards overcoming these problems, which involves conjunctive use of chemical fertilizers and organic manures. Horticular crops require many essential nutrients for optimum growth, yield and quality (N, P, K, Mg, S, Ca and microelements). Hence, these are applied through fertilizers. Application of plant nutrients in optimum ratio and adequate amounts is called “Balanced Fertilization”.

Sustainable Fertilization Management is the proper supply of all nutrients throughout the growth of a crop. It is now commonly understood that irrational and/or excessive fertilizer application does not always translate into a continuous increase in crop yield. In contrast, a balanced fertilization strategy is economically superior and is a more sustainable agricultural practice. According to “Liebig’s barrel” principle, plant growth is dictated by the scarcest resource (limiting factor) and not by the total resources available. A deficiency in one nutrient cannot be compensated by a surplus of any of the others. Thus, one nutrient alone cannot ensure the yield, and a balance between the nutrients is essential to ensure attainment of yields according to the genetic potential of the crops.

Fertilizer application must be planned to accommodate any variability. The main factors for consideration are crop type, anticipated yield, the naturally available nutrients in the soil and the changes in nutrients required by a particular crop during its growth cycle. Calculations are usually based on a combination of scientific research and local experience. A crop’s nutrient uptake often varies, both by field and by year. Field variability is primarily due to different soil conditions, while annual variability is often a result of changing weather patterns. Application programmes that do not sufficiently account for these variations in uptake can lead to incorrect fertilization. Hence, research in this field must be up to date and is crucial for science and the practice of horticulture.

This Special Issue publishes scientific articles and reviews discussing the consequences of balanced fertilization of horticultural plants.

Dr. Wacław Jarecki
Prof. Maciej Balawejder
Dr. Natalia Matłok
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

  • horticulture
  • precision agriculture
  • balanced fertilization
  • macroelements
  • microelements

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 5198 KiB  
Article
Impact of Soil Management Practices on Soil Culturable Bacteriota and Species Diversity in Central European a Productive Vineyard under Warm and Dry Conditions
by Vladimír Šimanský, Miroslava Kačániová, Martin Juriga, Natália Čmiková, Petra Borotová, Elena Aydın and Elzbieta Wójcik-Gront
Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070753 - 16 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1008
Abstract
Sustainable management practices are crucial for the longevity of a monoculture vineyard, especially in the context of a changing climate. Therefore, soil management practices in a vineyard (T: tillage, T+FYM: tillage + farmyard manure, G: grass strips, G+NPK1: grass strips + rational rates [...] Read more.
Sustainable management practices are crucial for the longevity of a monoculture vineyard, especially in the context of a changing climate. Therefore, soil management practices in a vineyard (T: tillage, T+FYM: tillage + farmyard manure, G: grass strips, G+NPK1: grass strips + rational rates of NPK, and G+NPK2: grass strips + higher rates of NPK) were tested in a temperate climate of Slovakia (Central Europe) under specific soil conditions (Rendzic Leptosol). We investigated the influence of continuous cropping on soil chemical properties and microbial communities during the dry and warm year of 2022. The results showed that the soil pH was higher by 19%, 21%, 24% and 13% in T, T+FYM, G and G+NPK1, respectively, compared to G+NPK2. The lowest soil organic matter (SOM) content was found in T, and it increased in the following order: T < T+FYM < G+NPK2 < G+NPK1 < G. Similarly, the lowest abundance of soil culturable bacteriota was found in T and it increased in the following order: T < T+FYM = G+NPK2 < G+NPK1< G. Culturable bacteriota was identified using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper). The most numerous species group was Bacillus, followed by Lactobacillus > Staphylococcus > Pseudomonas. The most frequently isolated species were Bacillus megaterium (16.55%), Bacillus cereus (5.80%), Bacillus thuringiensis (4.87%), and Bacillus simplex (4.37%). Positive relationships between SOM and soil culturable bacteriota were found in the G and G+NPK1 treatments. Temperature also affected soil culturable bacteriota in all soil management practices, most significantly in G+NPK1. Overall, the best scenario for the sustainable management of a productive vineyard is the use of grass strips. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)
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13 pages, 661 KiB  
Article
Effect of Transplanting Time and Nitrogen–Potassium Ratio on Yield, Growth, and Quality of Cauliflower Landrace Gigante di Napoli in Southern Italy
by Alessio Vincenzo Tallarita, Eugenio Cozzolino, Antonio Salluzzo, Agnieszka Sekara, Robert Pokluda, Otilia Cristina Murariu, Lorenzo Vecchietti, Luisa del Piano, Pasquale Lombardi, Antonio Cuciniello and Gianluca Caruso
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 518; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050518 - 17 May 2024
Viewed by 881
Abstract
Research has been increasingly focusing on the preservation of the biodiversity of vegetable crops under sustainable farming management. An experiment was carried out in southern Italy on Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, landrace Gigante di Napoli, to assess the effects of two transplanting [...] Read more.
Research has been increasingly focusing on the preservation of the biodiversity of vegetable crops under sustainable farming management. An experiment was carried out in southern Italy on Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, landrace Gigante di Napoli, to assess the effects of two transplanting times (9 September and 7 October), in factorial combination with five nitrogen–potassium ratios (0.6; 0.8; 1.0; 1.2; and 1.4) on plant growth, yield, and quality of cauliflower heads. A split-plot design was used for the treatment distribution in the field, with three replications. The earlier transplant and the 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest yield, mean weight, and firmness of cauliflower heads which were not significantly affected by both transplanting time and N:K ratio in terms of colour components. The 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest head diameter with the earlier transplant, whereas the 1.0 ratio was the most effective on this parameter in the later crop cycle. The highest nitrate, nitrogen, and potassium concentrations in the heads were recorded with the earlier transplanting time. Antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and polyphenol content increased with the rise of the N:K ratio. The element use efficiency was constantly negative with the N:K increase for nitrogen and was augmented until the 1.2 ratio for potassium. The results of our investigation showed that the optimal combination between transplanting time and N:K ratio is a key aspect to improve head yield and quality of the cauliflower landrace Gigante di Napoli, under the perspective of biodiversity safeguarding and valorisation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)
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17 pages, 1125 KiB  
Article
Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi May Improve Soil Fertility and the Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Physiological Performance of Batavia Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) Plants
by Theocharis Chatzistathis, Konstantinos Zoukidis, Christos Vasilikiotis, Antonios Apostolidis, Anastasia E. Giannakoula, Areti Bountla and Apostolos Chatziathanasiadis
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050449 - 28 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1299
Abstract
A greenhouse experiment was realized to investigate the effects of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on soil quality and the growth, nutrient uptake, and physiological performance of Batavia lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia). For this purpose, six [...] Read more.
A greenhouse experiment was realized to investigate the effects of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on soil quality and the growth, nutrient uptake, and physiological performance of Batavia lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia). For this purpose, six fertilization treatments were applied: (i) inorganic fertilization (I.F.—control, i.e., usual/conventional fertilization), (ii) I.F. + PGPR, (iii) I.F. + PGPR + AMF, (iv) manure (MAN), (v) MAN + PGPR, and (vi) MAN + PGPR + AMF. Soil fertility was influenced by the treatments, and soil respiration (CO2 flux) was significantly increased after applications of PGPR and AMF. Following MAN fertilization in particular, an approximately sixfold higher soil respiration value was recorded following the MAN + PGPR + AMF treatment compared to the control (I.F.). Root, leaf, and total biomass dry weights were significantly affected by the PGPR and AMF applications, mainly following the I.F. treatment. In contrast, K, Mg, and Fe uptake was significantly influenced by PGPR and AMF application following the MAN treatment. The SPAD value, performance index (PI), photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance were significantly higher in the I.F. + PGPR + AMF-treated plants compared to the control plants. Overall, these data prove the beneficial roles of PGPR and AMF in soil quality and fertility and the nutrient uptake and physiological performance of lettuce plants. However, further clarification is needed in the near future to test the interaction effects between PGPR, AMF, and the type of fertilizer used (organic or inorganic). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)
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13 pages, 1115 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Nitrogen and Water Management Strategies to Optimize Yield in Open Field Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Production
by Adewale Suraj Bello, Samsul Huda, Zhong-Hua Chen, Muhammad Fasih Khalid, Mohammed Alsafran and Talaat Ahmed
Horticulturae 2023, 9(12), 1336; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9121336 - 13 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1729
Abstract
Countries in arid climates, such as Qatar, require efficient water-saving strategies and nitrogen treatment for vegetable production. Vegetable importation constituted approximately USD 352 million of Qatar’s 2019 GDP; hence, enhancing local production is essential. This study investigated the effect of varying nitrogen and [...] Read more.
Countries in arid climates, such as Qatar, require efficient water-saving strategies and nitrogen treatment for vegetable production. Vegetable importation constituted approximately USD 352 million of Qatar’s 2019 GDP; hence, enhancing local production is essential. This study investigated the effect of varying nitrogen and water levels on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit yield. Various water management strategies were also evaluated. A split plot design was employed with two water levels (W1: 50% deficit irrigation, W2: 100% full irrigation) and three nitrogen levels (N1: 50 kg N ha−1, N2: 70 kg N ha−1, N3: 100 kg N ha−1) to examine cucumber yield and physiological response. Our findings revealed that using minimal drip irrigation and reducing nitrogen levels significantly enhanced the growth, SPAD index, fruit characteristics, and yield components of cucumber. Drip irrigation had a greater influence on cucumber production than nitrogen levels. Shoot height increased by 4% from W2N1 (T1) to W1N3 (T6) and 4.93% from W2N2 (T2) to W1N2 (T5). Fruit length and width increased by 10.63% and 13.41% from T2 and T1 to T5, respectively. The highest total yield occurred at T5, followed by T6, T2, W2N3 (T3), W1N1 (T4), and T1 at 34.5, 29.1, 27.6, 25.8, 25.2, and 20.4 t/ha, respectively. The optimal combination comprised 50% deficit irrigation (W1) and 70 kg N ha−1 (N2) nitrogen. These results suggest the importance of optimizing drip irrigation for achieving maximum cucumber fruit yield in arid climates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)
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21 pages, 1098 KiB  
Article
Impact of Soil Biodisinfection Techniques in Horticultural Crops on Profitability within the Framework of the Circular Economy
by Francisco José Castillo-Díaz, Luis J. Belmonte-Ureña, Ana Batlles-delaFuente and Francisco Camacho-Ferre
Horticulturae 2023, 9(8), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9080859 - 27 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1236
Abstract
Agricultural systems must identify fertilization strategies in line with the principles of sustainable development and the circular economy to achieve environmentally friendly food production and to meet the fertilizer-reduction targets set by some territories, such as the European Union (EU). The objective of [...] Read more.
Agricultural systems must identify fertilization strategies in line with the principles of sustainable development and the circular economy to achieve environmentally friendly food production and to meet the fertilizer-reduction targets set by some territories, such as the European Union (EU). The objective of this work was to identify the multifunctionality and cost-effectiveness in the use of the biodisinfection technique in greenhouse horticultural crops. For this purpose, a cost comparison of the different cultivation strategies was conducted, based on a systematic review of the existing literature. The results of this work suggest that the biodisinfection of soil containing agricultural biomass serves as a fertilization strategy that allows a reduction in a large part of inorganic fertilizers in protected horticultural crops of intensive nature, in addition to mitigating the expression of soil pathogens. Reducing the use of fertilizers and phytosanitary products, management fees, and important means of production, such as water, allows a reduction of up 6.1% in production costs. The biodisinfection technique is a methodology that can promote circularity in farms while favoring the use of waste, such as agricultural biomass, which can damage the environment when not properly treated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)
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13 pages, 6376 KiB  
Article
Effects of Using Plasma-Activated Water as a Nitrate Source on the Growth and Nutritional Quality of Hydroponically Grown Green Oak Lettuces
by Soraya Ruamrungsri, Choncharoen Sawangrat, Kanokwan Panjama, Phanumas Sojithamporn, Suchanuch Jaipinta, Wimada Srisuwan, Malinee Intanoo, Chaiartid Inkham and Sa-nguansak Thanapornpoonpong
Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020248 - 11 Feb 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4574
Abstract
Nitrate is a major source of the inorganic nitrogen taken up by the roots of plants. Nitrate sources are generally derived from inorganic minerals by an energy-consuming chemical process; as a result, the price of chemical fertilizers is gradually increasing year by year. [...] Read more.
Nitrate is a major source of the inorganic nitrogen taken up by the roots of plants. Nitrate sources are generally derived from inorganic minerals by an energy-consuming chemical process; as a result, the price of chemical fertilizers is gradually increasing year by year. NO3-N, generated from N2 using the plasma technique, is an alternative method of producing nitrate from the air. Therefore, in this research, we aimed to determine the efficiency of generating NO3-N using plasma-activated water (PAW) to replace nitrates from chemical fertilizer in a nutrient solution. Green oak lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was grown in a hydroponics system using the double-pot technique. The plants were supplied with three different nutrient solutions (based on Hoagland’s solution), i.e., T1, no nitrate in the nutrient solution (NO3− = 0); T2, using nitrate sourced from a commercial chemical fertilizer (normal nitrate); and T3, using a nitrate source generated using the pinhole plasma jet technique (plasma nitrate). The other macronutrients and micronutrients in each treatment were equally supplied. The results show that, at the harvested stage (21 days after the plants received treatment), the no-nitrate (T1) treatment provided lower growth and yields. Moreover, compared with the normal nitrate (T2) and plasma nitrate (T3), the results indicate that most growth and yields showed no statistical differences. In terms of nitrate accumulation within plants, it was found that the normal nitrate treatment (T2) had the highest levels of nitrate accumulation, in both the underground and aboveground parts of green oak lettuce. These results confirmed that plasma nitrate could be an alternative source of nitrate N which provided a safer way for the environment and human health in terms of nitrate accumulation. In addition, data related to the chemical analysis of free amino acid concentrations in each treatment are discussed in this research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)
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