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Horticulturae
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Horticulture in the Time of COVID-19
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Horticulture in the Time of COVID-19 (Closed)

A topical collection in Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524).

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Editors

Dr. Andrea Ertani

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
DISAFA Departement, Largo Braccini, University of Torino, Grugliasco, 10124 Turin, Italy
Interests: biostimulants; plant biofortification; abiotic stress; vertical farming
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Roberta Bulgari

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: horticulture; abiotic stress; biostimulant; soilless cultivation; microgreens; vegetable quality; ornamentals; postharvest quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to a blockage in the supply of fresh food, highlighting the vulnerability of the global agri-food system. Lockdown measures have slowed down fresh produce supply in long-distance distribution chains and might have left communities in small towns with limited availability of food due to the lack of big grocery stores. The pandemic may have triggered disruptions in the food supply chain and, particularly, in fresh produce, both at commercial and household levels.

In addition, mobility restrictions have occurred in many countries, and social distancing has left people distressed and vulnerable, but also with a larger availability of spare time. This situation has led to a revitalization of home gardening. This global health problem has favored leisure activities related to flowers and ornamental plants, of which the therapeutic and calming effects are being increasingly recognized. Even self-care has occurred due to a higher demand for relief, highlighting the lack of access to botanicals.

How was horticulture affected by SARS-CoV-2? The aim of this Topical Collection is to gather knowledge regarding reactions to the pandemic that occurred worldwide in the horticultural sector and, also, on the confinement of people. This Topical Collection covers reviews and specific studies on how horticulture was influenced by the pandemic, considering changes in the food production and supply chain, in citizen’s behavior and demand for fresh food being locally vs. remotely produced and commercial vs. self-produced. In addition, reviews and case studies related to floriculture are pertinent, taking into account that the pandemic also caused a worldwide crisis in this sector and that the practice of activities such as gardening became important for health and wellbeing. New reactions and approaches to botanicals are also of interest. Prospects for  resilience of the horticultural sector, enduring changes caused by SARS-CoV-2, are also welcome. 

Dr. Andrea Ertani
Dr. Roberta Bulgari
Collection 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 collection 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

  • coronavirus
  • pandemic
  • resilience
  • innovation
  • technology
  • food supply chain
  • urban horticulture
  • floriculture
  • urban landscape
  • botanicals

Published Papers (4 papers)

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2022

Jump to: 2021

21 pages, 2314 KiB  
Article
Home Gardening and Food Security Concerns during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Maja Turnšek, Siv-Lene Gangenes Skar, Marit Piirman, Ragnheiður I. Thorarinsdottir, Martina Bavec and Ranka Junge
Horticulturae 2022, 8(9), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8090778 - 27 Aug 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4165
Abstract
At times of crisis, home gardening has often been sought out as a potential solution for threats to food security and as a measure to increase socio-psychological effects, such as public sense of self-efficacy, trust in the government and care for one’s wellbeing. [...] Read more.
At times of crisis, home gardening has often been sought out as a potential solution for threats to food security and as a measure to increase socio-psychological effects, such as public sense of self-efficacy, trust in the government and care for one’s wellbeing. The objective of this study was to investigate if home gardening increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring/summer of 2020 and to provide socio-psychological insights into the explanatory factors of such an increase. An explanatory theoretical model of home gardening was proposed and tested to analyse whether home gardening is correlated to food security concerns, and if so, to what extent. A non-representative survey was conducted in five European countries (Slovenia, Norway, Estonia, Switzerland, and Iceland) using snowball sampling via social media networks, reaching 1144 participants. The results showed the pandemic did prove to be an important psychological push towards home gardening prompted by food security concerns. Measured as loose as introducing at least one new gardening activity during COVID-19, this study found an approximately 10% increase in home gardening during the first wave of COVID-19 in the sample population, which was skewed towards educated, female, middle-class Europeans. Full article
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11 pages, 240 KiB  
Article
Householders Attitude, Preferences, and Willingness to Have Home Garden at Time of Pandemics
by Aydin Basarir, Noura M. N. Al Mansouri and Zienab F. R. Ahmed
Horticulturae 2022, 8(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010056 - 8 Jan 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2947
Abstract
The value of home gardens has become more apparent among tenants forced into isolation in difficult and uncertain times arising since the COVID-19 pandemic started at the beginning of 2020. While gardens make a significant contribution to the social and ecological environment of [...] Read more.
The value of home gardens has become more apparent among tenants forced into isolation in difficult and uncertain times arising since the COVID-19 pandemic started at the beginning of 2020. While gardens make a significant contribution to the social and ecological environment of cities, most studies have focused on public green spaces. Investigating householder preferences for gardens during and after the mandatory lockdown period in the UAE is required. The main objective of this study is to analyze the householder’s attitude, preferences, and willingness to have home gardens during the pandemic and after. The data were collected via an online survey of randomly selected respondents. A logistic econometrical model was utilized to analyze the factors affecting respondent preferences regarding having a garden. According to the results, the probability of having a garden increases among respondents who produce some crops, have attained Msc/PhD. level, a backyard, and a larger space to cultivate. It decreases among those who are married, find it hard to take care of a garden, and face a weed problem. In conclusions, it is highly recommended for householders to have home gardens, which can provide a quality lifestyle and enhance leisure time during the pandemic and after. Full article

2021

Jump to: 2022

12 pages, 244 KiB  
Article
Identifying Critical Issues in the Horticulture Industry: A Delphi Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Kevan Lamm, Alyssa Powell and Leonardo Lombardini
Horticulturae 2021, 7(11), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7110416 - 20 Oct 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6721
Abstract
The horticulture industry provides significant contributions to society, including healthy foods, economic development, recreation and leisure activities, among others. However, there are critical issues facing the horticulture industry which should be illuminated to ensure ongoing vitality and relevance, particularly within the COVID-19 pandemic [...] Read more.
The horticulture industry provides significant contributions to society, including healthy foods, economic development, recreation and leisure activities, among others. However, there are critical issues facing the horticulture industry which should be illuminated to ensure ongoing vitality and relevance, particularly within the COVID-19 pandemic context. The present study used the Delphi Technique to identify the most critical issues facing the horticulture industry as perceived by a panel of industry experts. Data were collected from February to October 2020 and thus preceded the initial declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic through the lifting of stay-at-home orders in most states. The expert panel arrived at a consensus on 34 specific issues, five of which were specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the Constant Comparative Method, the issues were thematically analyzed and grouped into five primary categories, including (alphabetically ordered): (1) disease and pest management, (2) education, research, and recruitment, (3) environmental conditions and natural resource availability, (4) labor challenges and considerations, and (5) production challenges and innovations. The results of the study provide a framework for both academic and practitioner audiences to identify critical focus areas for the industry within a COVID-19 context. Full article
17 pages, 273 KiB  
Review
The Impact of COVID-19 on Horticulture: Critical Issues and Opportunities Derived from an Unexpected Occurrence
by Roberta Bulgari, Alice Petrini, Giacomo Cocetta, Carlo Nicoletto, Andrea Ertani, Paolo Sambo, Antonio Ferrante and Silvana Nicola
Horticulturae 2021, 7(6), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7060124 - 26 May 2021
Cited by 48 | Viewed by 15583
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing many victims worldwide and has generated a serious economic crisis. Substantial changes have occurred in the food and ornamental production chains. The aim of the present review has been to summarize some of the main effects that the [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing many victims worldwide and has generated a serious economic crisis. Substantial changes have occurred in the food and ornamental production chains. The aim of the present review has been to summarize some of the main effects that the pandemic is having on horticulture and on the new habits of people. Infections and quarantine measures have prevented the regular flow of certain goods and of connected services. Cases of shortages and/or surpluses, a lack of the availability of labor, and a reduction in demand for some food products and flowers have occurred. New food production approaches have emerged and a reconnection between farmers and consumers has been spreading, thereby facilitating product distribution. Moreover, during the forced isolation, people have had to face periods of stress. The benefits that can be derived from leisure activities related to flowers and ornamental plants, and from access to nature and urban green spaces are increasingly being recognized as relevant. The seriousness of the pandemic will inevitably lead to lasting changes. Therefore, the vulnerability of the pre-COVID-19 distribution chains should be considered and a new food production chain should be drawn up, to increase the resilience of such systems. Full article
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