Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species in Horticultural and Ornamental Systems: Perspective for Biodiversity, Nutraceuticals and Agricultural Sustainability

A topical collection in Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This collection belongs to the section "Medicinals, Herbs, and Specialty Crops".

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Editors

Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
Interests: modeling; plant physiology; statistical analysis; genetic diversity; food chemistry; irrigation; plant biology; predictive modeling; plant breeding
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Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Sciences (SAAF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 5, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: vegetable production; vegetable grafting; soilless cultivation; nutritional and nutraceutical vegetable fruit quality linked to cultivation conditions and practices; biofortification of leafy and fruiting vegetable crops, propagation of ornamental plants
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Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

The present Collection of Horticulturae is dedicated to the multifaceted topic of neglected and underutilized plant species (NUS) in horticultural and ornamental systems. Over the last few decades, the scientific community has dedicated more attention to this topic than in the past, as NUS represent a possible option to face the agricultural challenges of producing more foods and services within a framework of greater sustainability. Indeed, global urbanization processes, climate change, and the depletion of natural resources are expected to emphasize the vulnerability of mainstream agriculture, satisfying the needs of an ever-increasing world population by leveraging a restricted number of cash crops. In this framework, NUS could promote agro-biodiversity, improve the resilience of the agro-ecosystems toward the environmental stressors, foster the utilization of nutraceuticals and the diversification of dietary patterns, address micronutrient deficiencies in targeted communities or population subgroups, and provide important local services (environmental, economic or socio-cultural) as ornamentals or in landscape management. Moreover, due to their often-better adaptation to specific agroecological conditions, NUS could offer the chance to expand agricultural activities in marginal farmland, providing significant opportunities for food and development to local communities. However, there are still manifold barriers hampering increased NUS utilization out of their niche role, many of which stem from our poor knowledge about their biological and technical features. A large-scale dissemination of NUS potentialities and features could help decision makers in developing specific policies and funding programs to sustain a higher contribution of NUS to human activities. For these reasons, this Collection aims to contribute to filling knowledge gaps about NUS in horticultural and ornamental systems, as well as in landscape management, by encouraging the submission of original research papers, short communications and review articles, dealing with their relevance to the following:

  • Biodiversity and conservation;
  • Evolution, genetics and breeding;
  • Characterization, propagation, and ecophysiology;
  • Cultivation techniques and systems;
  • Response to pathogens and pests;
  • Landscape management, protection and restoration;
  • Product and process innovations;
  • Biochemistry and composition;
  • Postharvest factors affecting the end-use quality.

Papers concerning neglected or underutilized landraces within major horticultural/ornamental species are welcome too.

Dr. Rosario Paolo Mauro
Dr. Carlo Nicoletto
Dr. Leo Sabatino
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Published Papers (2 papers)

2022

15 pages, 1663 KiB  
Article
Grafting Eggplant Onto Underutilized Solanum Species and Biostimulatory Action of Azospirillum brasilense Modulate Growth, Yield, NUE and Nutritional and Functional Traits
by Beppe Benedetto Consentino, Leo Sabatino, Lorena Vultaggio, Giuseppe Leonardo Rotino, Gaetano Giuseppe La Placa, Fabio D’Anna, Claudio Leto, Nicolò Iacuzzi and Claudio De Pasquale
Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080722 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1879
Abstract
The grafting of vegetable crops is considered a valuable mean for ensuring the yield and quality under different cultivation conditions. Simultaneously, there are increasing research efforts in exploiting underutilised plants as potential rootstocks for vegetables to increase the sustainability of horticultural systems. In [...] Read more.
The grafting of vegetable crops is considered a valuable mean for ensuring the yield and quality under different cultivation conditions. Simultaneously, there are increasing research efforts in exploiting underutilised plants as potential rootstocks for vegetables to increase the sustainability of horticultural systems. In accordance with the European Green Deal, the application of biostimulants is a fashionable and ecological agronomic practice to enhance the production and quality of vegetables. Thus, the current research appraised the synergistic effect of grafting eggplant onto various allied potential rootstocks (Solanum torvum, S. aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon) and of applying a plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense DSM 2298) on eggplant growth, production, fruit quality traits (nutritional and functional features) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The findings showed that ‘Gloria’ F1 plants grafted onto S. torvum or S. aethiopicum had a significant increase in plant height 50 DAT by 11.6% and 9%, respectively, compared with not grafted plants. Simultaneously, plants inoculated with A. brasilense DSM 2298 acquired a significant upsurge of plant height 50 DAT by 6% compared with the control. Our results revealed that S. torvum and S. aethiopicum-grafted plants improved their marketable yield by 31.4% and 20%, respectively, compared with not grafted ones. Furthermore, A. brasilense DSM 2298 significantly boosted the yield compared with the control plants. Plant type had no effect on fruit dry matter and firmness, whereas plants grafted onto S. macrocarpon showed a significant increase in the soluble solids content (SSC) and fruit K concentration compared with not grafted plants. Plants grafted onto S. torvum rootstock and inoculated with A. brasilense DSM 2298 had a significant increase in fruit protein concentrations compared with the combination not grafted × control. Moreover, S. torvum-grafted plants and those inoculated with the microbial biostimulant revealed the highest NUE values. The results evidenced that S. torvum and S. macrocarpon-grafted plants, inoculated with A. brasilense DSM 2298, had the highest ascorbic acid (average 7.33 and 7.32 mg 100 g−1 fw, respectively). Interestingly, S. torvum rootstock increased the chlorogenic acid concentration and reduced the glycoalkaloids concentration compared with not grafted plants. Our data also showed that A. brasilense DSM 2298 significantly increased SSC by 4.5%, NUE by 5.5%, chlorogenic acid concentration by 2.0% and the total anthocyanins by 0.2% compared to the control. Thus, our study underlined that S. aethiopicum rootstocks inoculated with A. brasilense DSM 2298 could represent a valid substitute to the common S. torvum rootstock. Full article
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18 pages, 3946 KiB  
Article
Planting Date and Different N-Fertilization Rates Differently Modulate Agronomic and Economic Traits of a Sicilian Onion Landrace and of a Commercial Variety
by Giuseppe Di Miceli, Davide Farruggia, Nicolò Iacuzzi, Simona Bacarella, Salvatore La Bella and Beppe Benedetto Consentino
Horticulturae 2022, 8(5), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8050454 - 18 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1739
Abstract
The onion is one of the most widespread bulb vegetables worldwide. Onion cultivation is common in Sicily, as is the use of local genotypes. Cultivation practices are of particular interest in optimizing yield, quality, and profits. The aim of this study was to [...] Read more.
The onion is one of the most widespread bulb vegetables worldwide. Onion cultivation is common in Sicily, as is the use of local genotypes. Cultivation practices are of particular interest in optimizing yield, quality, and profits. The aim of this study was to assess the agronomic response of a Sicilian landrace (Bianca Calda di Comiso, coded L1) and a commercial variety (Bianca di Maggio, coded V1) to different planting dates and N fertilization rates. An economic appraisal was also performed. The two genotypes were assessed using an experimental split-split-plot design with four levels of nitrogen rates (0, 80, 160, and 220 kg N ha−1) and two different planting dates (8 October 2005 to 9 October 2006 for the early planting date, and 27 December 2005 to 30 December 2006 for the traditional planting date). The marketable yield and production parameters were significantly influenced by the nitrogen dose: higher doses led to a higher total yield, with yield peaks above 60 t ha−1 and the marketable yield ranging from 23% to 54%. Simultaneously, decreases in the firmness (from 7% to 19%) and scale content (from 1% to 3%) were also reported. The L1 landrace showed a higher production than the V1 variety. The crop year did not significantly affect the results, and the traditional planting date appeared to be the most suitable choice in obtaining the best agronomic response. Economic analysis showed that the L1 landrace, with high-N application treatments, produced greater net benefits and marginal rates of return. Thus, the L1 landrace exposed to the highest dosages of nitrogen (160 or 220 kg ha−1) and transplanted during the traditional planting period is the best choice from agronomic and economic points of view. Full article
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