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Horticulturae
Special Issues
Sustainable Strategies and Practices for Soil Fertility Management
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Sustainable Strategies and Practices for Soil Fertility Management

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 5950

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Moreno Toselli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 33-40126 Bologna, Italy
Interests: soil fertility; nutrient
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Elena Baldi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DiSTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum, University di Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Interests: soil organic matter; root morphology and physiology; fruit tree mineral and organic nutrition; fruit quality; soil sickness
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Donato Cillis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
IBF Servizi S.p.A., Ferrara, Italy
Interests: precision agriculture; soil tillage systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The current political, social, and economic conditions place particular attention to supply nutrients for plant nutrition at sustainable costs. The introduction of low-impact, crop-adapted, variable-rate-application fertilizer solutions, developing controlled-nutrient-release fertilizers, and precision distribution methods are strategic methods to increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and bolster their application in the different agronomic conditions and plant–soil interactions. New solutions to improve the NUE through fertilizers characterized by a controlled release using different methodologies include: coating with renewable materials (e.g., biofilms, bio-based materials, humic materials), organo-mineral products, nitrification and urease inhibitors, and the temperature-controlled release coating of nutrients (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus). In addition, the use of biostimulants and corroborants as well as biofertilizers is effective in improving NUE. The continuous monitoring of soil fertility through the employment of real-time probes or aerial observations allow the implementation of a digitalized fertilizer management toward a precision-farming methodology for the distribution of nutrients. The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight innovative strategies to optimize crop fertilization. Manuscripts studying the effect of organic amendments, biofertilizers, nitrification, and urease inhibitors, as well as new techniques for precision fertilization and real-time determination of soil fertility and plant nutritional status will be considered. 

Dr. Moreno Toselli
Dr. Elena Baldi
Dr. Donato Cillis
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

  • precision farming
  • nutrient use efficiency
  • nutrient monitoring
  • controlled nutrient release

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 494 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Beef Manure Economic Value by the Method of Equivalent Green and Mineral Fertilizer Substitution
by Veljko Šarac, Dragan Milić, Nataša Vukelić, Tihomir Novaković, Dragana Novaković, Mirjana Ljubojević and Vesna Rodić
Horticulturae 2024, 10(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10020125 - 29 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 862
Abstract
The imperative of sustainable agricultural development, coupled with growing challenges related to climate change reaffirms the importance of manure and increases the demand for it. Due to the underdeveloped market for manure, there is a problem in assessing its economic value, requiring appropriate [...] Read more.
The imperative of sustainable agricultural development, coupled with growing challenges related to climate change reaffirms the importance of manure and increases the demand for it. Due to the underdeveloped market for manure, there is a problem in assessing its economic value, requiring appropriate research on this topic. Thus, this research aimed to assess the manure’s economic value using the method of equivalent substitution. For this purpose, the chemical composition of manure was determined by standard agrochemical analyses concerning the content of the most important mineral elements—nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5), and potassium (K2O). These elements ranged from 0.49–0.60%, 0.15–1.10%, and 0.70–1.07%, respectively, and the content of organic matter ranging from 20.88 to 27.00%. Subsequently, the cost of equivalent substitution was calculated taking into account market prices for commercial fertilizers and organic matter based on the cost of an adequate quantity of white mustard—Sinapis alba L. fresh mass. The average cost of equivalent substitution for manure was determined to be 28.60 USD/t. The results of the applied t-test indicate that there is no statistically significant difference between the market prices of beef manure and the calculated prices of its substitution (t = −1.4069; df = 12; p = 0.1848), which implies that white mustard green manure could replace the deficit in animal-derived manure. Since both animal and green manures unambiguously should be prioritized over chemical fertilizers, future studies will reveal which other crops are applicable for further increments of green manure to make up for insufficient availability of animal manure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies and Practices for Soil Fertility Management)
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Review

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13 pages, 321 KiB  
Review
Organic Fertilizers and Bio-Waste for Sustainable Soil Management to Support Crops and Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Mediterranean Agroecosystems: A Review
by Giuseppe Badagliacca, Giorgio Testa, Stefano Giovanni La Malfa, Valeria Cafaro, Emilio Lo Presti and Michele Monti
Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050427 - 23 Apr 2024
Viewed by 278
Abstract
Agriculture is facing several challenges related to its sustainability. In this regard, the need to reduce its environmental impact related to the use of synthetic inputs and its potential role in mitigating global warming and climate change call for a review of crop [...] Read more.
Agriculture is facing several challenges related to its sustainability. In this regard, the need to reduce its environmental impact related to the use of synthetic inputs and its potential role in mitigating global warming and climate change call for a review of crop management. In this context, and in the framework of achieving sustainable development goals, the use of organic fertilizers and bio-waste represents a valuable contribution to the agricultural transition towards a bioeconomy model by reducing the negative impacts of waste disposal. Farmyard manure, composts, digestate from agrifood processes, and biochar are, among organic fertilizers, commonly used to manage soils and support crop growth. These fertilizers can provide essential nutrients, improve structure, and enhance microbial activity, thus increasing soil fertility and agriculture sustainability. While organic fertilizers offer the benefits of soil fertility and plant nutrition, their impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is complex and varies depending on factors such as fertilizer type, soil conditions, and management practices. Although organic fertilizers may initially increase GHG emissions, they often lead to carbon sequestration in soils highlighting a negative C balance. Additionally, organic fertilizers promote a reduction in fossil fuel consumption used for synthetic fertilizer production, further contributing to GHG emissions’ reduction. Therefore, while organic fertilizers pose challenges in managing GHG emissions, their various benefits warrant careful consideration and strategic implementation in agricultural systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies and Practices for Soil Fertility Management)
12 pages, 576 KiB  
Review
Implications of Vegetal Protein Hydrolysates for Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Leafy Vegetables
by Michele Ciriello, Emanuela Campana, Stefania De Pascale and Youssef Rouphael
Horticulturae 2024, 10(2), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10020132 - 30 Jan 2024
Viewed by 894
Abstract
Climate change and the degradation of ecosystems is an urgent issue to which the agricultural sector contributes through the overuse of productive inputs such as chemical fertilizers. A disproportionate use of nitrogenous fertilizers combined with low efficiency inevitably results in worsening environmental problems [...] Read more.
Climate change and the degradation of ecosystems is an urgent issue to which the agricultural sector contributes through the overuse of productive inputs such as chemical fertilizers. A disproportionate use of nitrogenous fertilizers combined with low efficiency inevitably results in worsening environmental problems (greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, water eutrophication, and groundwater pollution). Nevertheless, increasing population growth puts additional pressure on the already struggling agricultural world. Awareness of these problems has pushed the world of research towards the development of more sustainable but equally efficient strategies in terms of production. The use of biostimulant substances and/or micro-organisms promoting yield, resilience to abiotic stresses in plants, and increasing the functional quality of products have been indicated as a valid strategy to improve the sustainability of agricultural practices. In modern horticulture, the use of vegetable–protein hydrolysates (V-PHs) is gaining more and more interest. These biostimulants could influence plants directly by stimulating carbon and nitrogen metabolism and interfering with hormonal activity, but also indirectly as V-PHs could improve nutrient availability in plant growth substrates and increase nutrient uptake and utilization efficiency. By exploiting this aspect, it would be possible to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers without affecting potential yields. After a brief introduction to the issues related to the intensive use of nitrogen fertilizers, this review focuses on the use of V-PHs as a strategy to increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Starting with their heterogeneous origins and compositions, their effects on nitrogen metabolism, as well as the physiological and biochemical processes involved in these products, this review concludes with an in-depth discussion of the effects of V-PHs on major leafy vegetables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies and Practices for Soil Fertility Management)
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47 pages, 11604 KiB  
Review
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
Viewed by 919
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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14 pages, 2396 KiB  
Review
Smart Farming Tool for Monitoring Nutrients in Soil and Plants for Precise Fertilization
by Moreno Toselli, Elena Baldi, Filippo Ferro, Simone Rossi and Donato Cillis
Horticulturae 2023, 9(9), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9091011 - 08 Sep 2023
Viewed by 2444
Abstract
The current political, social, and economic conditions place, more than ever, the need to sustainably supply nutrients for plants, integrating low-impact, crop-adapted, variable-rate-application fertilizer solutions, at the center of attention. Fertilization plans should be based on the monitoring of soil fertility to address [...] Read more.
The current political, social, and economic conditions place, more than ever, the need to sustainably supply nutrients for plants, integrating low-impact, crop-adapted, variable-rate-application fertilizer solutions, at the center of attention. Fertilization plans should be based on the monitoring of soil fertility to address the proper rate of fertilizer application along with the development of techniques able to increase nutrient uptake efficiency. Monitoring and modelling analysis of the effects of agronomic management in different pedoclimatic conditions can provide several advantages, that include higher nutrient efficiency, increase in plant growth and yield, decreased fertilization costs, increased profit, reduced environmental impact. This approach should enter into a framework of precision farming methodologies for the distribution of nutrients adopted at different levels (region, farm, field, plot), to obtain the maximum efficiency of inputs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies and Practices for Soil Fertility Management)
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