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Horticulturae
Special Issues
Improve the Quality of Horticultural Products in Controlled Environment
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Improve the Quality of Horticultural Products in Controlled Environment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 8968

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Qichang Yang

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Guest Editor
Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IUA-CAAS), Chengdu, China
Interests: vertical farming; plant factory; LED lighting; greenhouse horticulture; energy use efficiency; environmental control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xiao Yang

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Guest Editor
Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IUA-CAAS), Chengdu, China
Interests: horticulture; food science; agricultural plant science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Bin Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hami-Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China
Interests: genome editing; molecular breeding; plant genomics and genetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jingjin Zhang

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Guest Editor
School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Interests: facility environment and its regulation and biological response of horticultural crops; crop information rapid detection technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The quality of horticultural products is a significant consideration for customers and breeders as there is a growing demand for healthy horticultural crops. Environmental factors such as light, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, fertilizers, and fertigation conditions play important roles in regulating the quality of horticultural products. As a result, great progress in agriculture has been made in recent years in controlled environments. For example, plant factories with artificial light (PFALs) enable precise control of the factors mentioned above. Producing horticultural products with multiple goals, such as high levels of health-promoting phytochemicals, a good texture, and long shelf lives, is both possible and feasible. Therefore, studies in this area can advance practical production and aid in creating and implementing controlled-environment agriculture.

In this Special Issue, we would like to publish original research reports and critical reviews concerned with the quality of horticultural products that are affected by environmental factors. Topics might include, but are not limited to, the quality of horticultural products that are affected by microclimate adjustment (e.g., lighting, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide), agronomic management (e.g., breeding, irrigation, and fertilization), application of new techniques (e.g., artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and novel design), and coupling of multiple pre-harvest factors. We will particularly consider manuscripts that deal with their underlying mechanisms.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Crops.

Prof. Dr. Qichang Yang
Dr. Xiao Yang
Dr. Bin Liu
Dr. Jingjin Zhang
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

  • biofortification
  • bioactive compound
  • carbon dioxide
  • fertigation
  • fertilizers
  • genetic improvement
  • health benefit
  • humidity
  • light
  • phytochemicals
  • plant biostimulants
  • temperature

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 5895 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Cannabinoid Production in Hemp Through Methyl Jasmonate Application in a Vertical Farming System
by Seungyong Hahm, Yongjae Lee, Kwangya Lee and Jongseok Park
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111165 - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1423
Abstract
Cannabis sativa, a versatile plant containing over 150 cannabinoids, is increasingly valued for its medicinal properties. It is classified into hemp and marijuana based on its Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) content. The objective of this study was to optimize cannabinoid production in hemp within [...] Read more.
Cannabis sativa, a versatile plant containing over 150 cannabinoids, is increasingly valued for its medicinal properties. It is classified into hemp and marijuana based on its Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) content. The objective of this study was to optimize cannabinoid production in hemp within a vertical farming system by investigating the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on plant growth and specific cannabinoid contents. After propagating hemp plants, they were treated with various concentrations of MeJA (0, 100, 200, and 400 μM). Plant growth parameters, glandular trichome (GT) density, and the contents of specific cannabinoids—cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), and Δ9-THC—were analyzed. The results showed that MeJA treatment decreased plant height and leaf area while increasing GT density and the synthesis of CBDA and THCA at lower concentrations. Specifically, treatment with 100 μM MeJA provided optimal conditions for enhancing cannabinoid production while controlling plant height, which is advantageous for vertical farming. These findings suggest that precise application of MeJA in controlled environments can increase yields of valuable cannabinoids with efficient use of space, thereby enhancing the commercial and medicinal value of hemp. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improve the Quality of Horticultural Products in Controlled Environment)
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11 pages, 2193 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic Analysis of Salicylic Acid Promoting Seed Germination of Melon under Salt Stress
by Miao Yan, Jiancai Mao, Ting Wu, Tao Xiong, Quansheng Huang, Haibo Wu and Guozhi Hu
Horticulturae 2023, 9(3), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9030375 - 13 Mar 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2617
Abstract
This study investigated how salicylic acid (SA) mediates the response of melon (Cucumis melo) seeds to salt stress using physiological and transcriptomic methods. The effects of SA on the antioxidant enzymes, osmoregulatory substances, and transcriptome of melon seeds under salt stress [...] Read more.
This study investigated how salicylic acid (SA) mediates the response of melon (Cucumis melo) seeds to salt stress using physiological and transcriptomic methods. The effects of SA on the antioxidant enzymes, osmoregulatory substances, and transcriptome of melon seeds under salt stress were investigated using sodium chloride (NaCl, 100 mmol·L−1) as the stress stimulant and SA + NaCl (0.25 mmol·L−1 + 100 mmol·L−1) as the alleviation treatment. The results showed that SA positively influences salt tolerance by increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and catalase activity (CAT) while decreasing proline content (Pro). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by transcriptome data analysis, of which 2958 were up-regulated, and 2157 were down-regulated. These genes were mainly involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and plant hormone signal transduction, lipid metabolism (linoleic and α-linolenic fatty acid metabolism), biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (phenylpropanoid pathway and flavonoid biosynthesis), and related pathways. Further analysis revealed that SA might alleviate salt stress by initiating a series of signaling pathways under salt stress, participating in lignin biosynthesis to improve cell wall stability, and positively regulating lipoxygenase (LOX) genes. These results provide valuable information and new strategies for future salt resistance cultivation and high melon yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improve the Quality of Horticultural Products in Controlled Environment)
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21 pages, 2721 KiB  
Article
Regulatory Effect of Exogenous γ-Aminobutyric Acid on Respiratory Rate through the γ-Aminobutyric Acid Shunt in Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. Roots under Suboptimal Low Root-Zone Temperature
by Xiaochen Lu, Ping Dai, Huaiyu Ma and Deguo Lyu
Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020268 - 16 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1923
Abstract
Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. is one of the most widely used rootstocks in the apple-producing region of Northern China. However, in the early growing season, apple roots are often subjected to suboptimal low root-zone temperatures. The regulatory effects of exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) [...] Read more.
Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. is one of the most widely used rootstocks in the apple-producing region of Northern China. However, in the early growing season, apple roots are often subjected to suboptimal low root-zone temperatures. The regulatory effects of exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on both the γ-aminobutyric acid shunt (GABA shunt) and the respiratory activity of roots under suboptimal low root-zone temperatures remain unknown. To explore the physiological basis for GABA alleviation of low-temperature stress in M. baccata Borkh. roots, the following treatments were examined: suboptimal low root-zone temperature (potted parts of the seedlings were maintained at 5 ± 0.5 °C; L); suboptimal low root-zone temperature + GABA (LG); and suboptimal low root-zone temperature + vigabatrin (VGB; LV), which is a specific active inhibitor of γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T). Each treatment was matched with a control (18 °C/8 °C day/night; CK) for comparison. Our results showed that the L treatment reduced the root vitality, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, promoted the accumulation of GABA, activated the GABA shunt, and inhibited the total root respiration rate (VTotal) by decreasing the respiratory rates of Embden–Meyerhof pathway (VEMP) and tricarboxylic acid cycle (VTCAC). The LG treatment significantly increased the content of endogenous GABA, accelerated the metabolism of the GABA shunt, enhanced root respiratory activity by increasing VTotal, VEMP, VTCAC, and increased the cytochrome pathway respiratory rate (VCP), thus alleviating the damage of low root-zone temperature stress. Meanwhile, contrasting results were observed in the LV treatment. These findings revealed that exogenous GABA improved the tolerance of apple rootstocks to suboptimal low temperatures in early spring by regulating the GABA shunt and root respiratory activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improve the Quality of Horticultural Products in Controlled Environment)
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22 pages, 5510 KiB  
Article
Effect of Bacillus methylotrophicus on Tomato Plug Seedling
by Min Sun, Xiangguang Meng, Tieli Peng and Xiaohui Hu
Horticulturae 2022, 8(10), 947; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8100947 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1970
Abstract
Tomato production is gradually shifting to modern production, which requires the factorization of tomato seedlings to shorten the seedling cycle and improve the seedling quality. Bacillus methylotrophicus, as a biofertilizer for plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, can promote plant growth and enhance native plant [...] Read more.
Tomato production is gradually shifting to modern production, which requires the factorization of tomato seedlings to shorten the seedling cycle and improve the seedling quality. Bacillus methylotrophicus, as a biofertilizer for plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, can promote plant growth and enhance native plant defenses. However, reports on the role of this type of bacterial agent in horticultural crop seedlings are limited. We investigated the effects of different dosages of Bacillus methylotrophicus (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, and 1.50 g/strain) on tomato plug seedlings and aimed to screen out the suitable dosage of Bacillus methylotrophicus for tomato seedlings in 50-hole cavity trays. In this experiment, with the increase in Bacillus methylotrophicus, the number of leaves, plant height, stem thickness, leaf area, dry matter accumulation in each organ, growth function (G value), and seedling strength index of tomato seedlings showed an increasing trend, followed by a decreasing one. The appropriate dosage (0.50–1.25 g/strain) of bacterial agent increased the activities of the substrates urease, sucrase, and catalase, thus forming a good microbial community to maintain the balance of organic and inorganic carbon and guaranteeing the normal development of the root system. Meanwhile, under the treatment of 1.00 and 1.25 g/strain of inoculum, the absorption range of tomato roots increased, more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were absorbed from the substrate, and more nutrients were transported from the underground to the above-ground parts, which promoted shoot elongation and thickening of the shoots, increased the leaf number and dry matter accumulation, and improved the seedling quality. In this study, the mechanism of action of this microbial product on tomato seedlings was studied from the perspective of nutrient uptake and supply, and a sowing root application of 1.00 g/strain of Bacillus methylotrophicus in 50-hole cavity trays can improve the quality of tomato seedlings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improve the Quality of Horticultural Products in Controlled Environment)
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