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Horticulturae
Special Issues
New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables
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New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Vegetable Production Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 14979

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sławomir Michałek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: plant physiology; growing media; plant nutrition; abiotic stress tolerance; biological active compounds; LED and light quality
Prof. Dr. Marzena Błażewicz-Woźniak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Horticultural Production, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: reaction of plants to habitat conditions; cover and catch crops; conservation tillage; mulching; weed infestation; yield quality; horticultural plants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Green leafy vegetables are an important group of horticultural plants and an essential component of the human diet. This group includes many species grown around the world. Some are widely known, and others are of regional importance. Many plant species are still relatively unknown as leafy vegetables, and we ask: is it possible to popularize them? It would be valuable to learn more about their physiology and yield, as well as their nutritional value under improved production conditions. 

Gardeners and scientists all over the world are constantly improving the technologies of cultivating crops, including leafy vegetables. For years, research has been carried out with the use of various growing media and soil substrates used in greenhouses, as well as cultivation in hydroponics and aeroponics. The increasingly widespread use of LEDs in horticultural production has brought great opportunities, such that the production of leafy vegetables can be controlled to a large extent. The effects and prospects of this remain to be seen.

During the different growth stages of leafy vegetables, different treatments can be applied to bring economic benefits in terms of reduced time, labor, and material and energy consumption, and increased yield or nutritional value. Today, in addition to conventional vegetable production, the sustainable production of leafy vegetables is also developing, using new technologies that address consumer health and minimize the environmental impact of horticultural production.

The application of various substances to the leaves of cultivated plants, including not only fertilizers and plant protection products, but also growth regulators and biostimulants, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. It is important to know to what extent the application of these treatments affects not only the yield, but also the nutritional value of leafy vegetables. Is the effect always positive? We hope to find answers to these and other questions that concern new cultivation technologies for various plant species belonging to the leafy vegetables.

Therefore, research articles, reviews, short notes, and opinion articles indicating new technologies in the cultivation of green leafy vegetables, as well as physiological, biochemical, and molecular studies focused on these issues, are welcome for our current Special Issue on "New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables".

Dr. Sławomir Michałek
Prof. Dr. Marzena Błażewicz-Woźniak
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

  • biostimulants
  • biofertilizers
  • city farms
  • cultivation
  • hydroponics
  • LED lights
  • leafy vegetables
  • nutritional value
  • plant nutrition
  • plant protection
  • soil-less production

Published Papers (7 papers)

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21 pages, 2118 KiB  
Article
An Innovative Co-Cultivation of Microalgae and Actinomycete-Inoculated Lettuce in a Hydroponic Deep-Water Culture System for the Sustainable Development of a Food–Agriculture–Energy Nexus
by Wasu Pathom-aree, Sritip Sensupa, Antira Wichaphian, Nanthakrit Sriket, Benyapa Kitwetch, Jeeraporn Pekkoh, Pachara Sattayawat, Sureeporn Lomakool, Yupa Chromkaew and Sirasit Srinuanpan
Horticulturae 2024, 10(1), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10010070 - 10 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1371
Abstract
In recent years, researchers have turned their attention to the co-cultivation of microalgae and plants as a means to enhance the growth of hydroponically cultivated plants while concurrently producing microalgal biomass. However, the techniques used require precise calibration based on plant growth responses [...] Read more.
In recent years, researchers have turned their attention to the co-cultivation of microalgae and plants as a means to enhance the growth of hydroponically cultivated plants while concurrently producing microalgal biomass. However, the techniques used require precise calibration based on plant growth responses and their interactions with the environment and cultivation conditions. This study initially focused on examining the impact of hydroponic nutrient concentrations on the growth of the microalga Chlorella sp. AARL G049. The findings revealed that hydroponic nutrient solutions with electrical conductivities (EC) of 450 µS/cm and 900 µS/cm elicited a positive response in microalgae growth, resulting in high-quality biomass characterized by an elevated lipid content and favorable properties for renewable biodiesel. The biomass also exhibited high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), indicating excellent nutritional indices. The microalgae culture and microalgae-free culture, along with inoculation-free lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) and lettuce that was inoculated with plant growth actinobacteria, specifically the actinomycete Streptomyces thermocarboxydus S3, were subsequently integrated into a hydroponic deep-water culture system. The results indicated that several growth parameters of lettuce cultivated in treatments incorporating microalgae experienced a reduction of approximately 50% compared to treatments without microalgae, and lowering EC levels in the nutrient solution from 900 µS/cm to 450 µS/cm resulted in a similar approximately 50% reduction in lettuce growth. Nevertheless, the adverse impacts of microalgae and nutrient stress were alleviated through the inoculation with actinomycetes. Even though the co-cultivation system leads to reduced lettuce growth, the system enables the production of high-value microalgal biomass with exceptional biodiesel fuel properties, including superior oxidative stability (>13 h), a commendable cetane number (>62), and a high heating value (>40 MJ/kg). This biomass, with its potential as a renewable biodiesel feedstock, has the capacity to augment the overall profitability of the process. Hence, the co-cultivation of microalgae and actinomycete-inoculated lettuce appears to be a viable approach not only for hydroponic lettuce cultivation but also for the generation of microalgal biomass with potential applications in renewable energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables)
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21 pages, 2181 KiB  
Article
Effects of Sulfate on the Physiology, Biochemistry, and Activity of Group 1 Sulfate Transporters in Seedlings of Brassica pekinensis
by Dharmendra Prajapati, Anil Patani, Margi Patel, Daoud Ali, Saud Alarifi, Virendra Kumar Yadav, Jigna Tank and Ashish Patel
Horticulturae 2023, 9(7), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9070821 - 17 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1028
Abstract
It is well known that some plants have the capability of taking up sulfur as a nutrient from the atmosphere through foliar absorption and can survive well in polluted environments. In order to observe the effects of the relationship between atmospheric hydrogen sulfide [...] Read more.
It is well known that some plants have the capability of taking up sulfur as a nutrient from the atmosphere through foliar absorption and can survive well in polluted environments. In order to observe the effects of the relationship between atmospheric hydrogen sulfide (H2S) deposition and soil sulfur nutrition, the current study used Brassica pekinensis as a model plant. The objective in conducting this study was to understand the regulatory mechanisms engaged in the uptake and assimilation of sulfate (SO42−) in plants by studying the modulation of transcription levels of sulfate transporter genes (STGs) (Sultr1;1 and Sultr1;2), changes in growth physiology, and the potential of roots to uptake the SO42− when allowed to grow in the presence or absence of SO42− in a hydroponic nutrient solution. Changes in growth, physico-chemical parameters, and gene expression levels of Group 1 STGs were observed when sulfur-treated and non-treated plants were exposed to phytotoxic H2S levels in the air. Sulfur deficiency enhanced nitrate and free amino acid (FAA) concentrations in the shoot and root regions of the plant. However, there was a significant decrease in the biomass, shoot/root ratio (SRR), chlorophyll content, and thiol content, with p-values < 0.01. This, in turn, increased the sulfur-uptake capacity of plants from the atmosphere through foliar absorption. When the sulfur-uptake capacity of plants increased, there was an increase in the expression level of Group 1 sulfate transporter genes (Sultr1;1 and Sultr1;2), which regulate sulfur transportation through roots. The growth, physico-chemical characteristics, and level of gene expression of Group 1 STGs were unaffected by the availability of excess sulfur in the atmosphere of up to 0.3 μL l−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables)
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19 pages, 1523 KiB  
Article
The Alleviation Effects of Biostimulants Application on Lettuce Plants Grown under Deficit Irrigation
by Christina Chaski and Spyridon A. Petropoulos
Horticulturae 2022, 8(11), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8111089 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1631
Abstract
Τhe aim of this study was to examine the potential of using biostimulants for the amelioration of deficit irrigation effects on field-grown lettuce plants growth parameters (cv. Doris (Romaine type) and cv. Manchester (Batavia type)). Therefore, five biostimulatory products that differed in their [...] Read more.
Τhe aim of this study was to examine the potential of using biostimulants for the amelioration of deficit irrigation effects on field-grown lettuce plants growth parameters (cv. Doris (Romaine type) and cv. Manchester (Batavia type)). Therefore, five biostimulatory products that differed in their composition were evaluated, including seaweed extracts, amino acids, humic and fulvic acids, macronutrients, Si, and vegetable proteins, while a control treatment with no biostimulants applied on plants was also considered. Plants were subjected to three irrigation regimes, e.g., rain-fed plants (RF), deficit irrigation (I1; 50% of field capacity) and normal irrigation (I2; 100 of field capacity). The results indicate that the application of seaweed extracts, macronutrients, and amino acids (SW treatment) alleviated the negative effects of deficit irrigation on plant growth and chlorophyll content of Romaine-type plants. On the other hand, Batavia-type plants were more susceptible to water stress, since the highest crop yield plant was observed under the full irrigation treatment and the application of vegetal proteins and amino acids (VP treatment). In general, the application of biostimulants on the Romaine type improved plant growth under water shortage conditions compared with fully irrigated plants in almost all measurements, whereas the Batavia-type plants appeared to be more sensitive to deficit irrigation. Therefore, the ecofriendly practices of deficit irrigation and biostimulant application could be useful in leafy vegetable production on a genotype-depended manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables)
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11 pages, 2225 KiB  
Article
Salinity-Induced Changes in the Antioxidant Status of Common Basil Plants (Ocimum basilicum L.) Grown under Controlled Conditions
by Dorota Jadczak, Kamila Bojko, Miroslava Kaymakanova and Malgozhata Berova
Horticulturae 2022, 8(9), 775; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8090775 - 26 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1394
Abstract
Studies were performed to determine the influence of salinity on the antioxidant status of basil plants, var. Sweet Green. The experiments were conducted in a growth chamber under controlled conditions (photoperiod—14/10 h, photosynthetic photon density (PPFD)—250–300 µmol m−2 s−1, temperature—24 [...] Read more.
Studies were performed to determine the influence of salinity on the antioxidant status of basil plants, var. Sweet Green. The experiments were conducted in a growth chamber under controlled conditions (photoperiod—14/10 h, photosynthetic photon density (PPFD)—250–300 µmol m−2 s−1, temperature—24 ± 1 °C/16 ± 1 °C, humidity—65–70%). The plants were grown on ½ Hoagland’s nutrient solution, with the addition of elevated concentrations of sodium chloride (0, 80, 160 mM). In addition, increased content of macro- and micronutrients in the solution was applied (4/2 Hoagland’s nutrient solution and 0 mM NaCl). The activity of the antioxidant enzyme guaiacol peroxidase, content of malondialdehyde and total polyphenolic compounds, concentration of free proline, and antiradical activity were characterized. The results demonstrate that the salinity of Hoagland’s solution with 160 mM NaCl induced considerable changes concerning enzymatic and non-enzymatic elements of the plant defense and antioxidant systems. Enhancing the concentration of macro- and microelements in the nutrient solution (4/2 of Hoagland and 0 mM NaCl) in terms of biochemical parameters presented a similar trend to the variant with an additional lower concentration of sodium chloride (80 mM). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables)
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17 pages, 1674 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Yield and Nitrate Content of Wall Rocket Grown under Diffuse-Light- or Clear-Plastic Films and Subjected to Different Nitrogen Fertilization Levels and Biostimulant Application
by Ida Di Mola, Lucia Ottaiano, Eugenio Cozzolino, Christophe El-Nakhel, Massimo Rippa, Pasquale Mormile, Giandomenico Corrado, Youssef Rouphael and Mauro Mori
Horticulturae 2022, 8(2), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020138 - 06 Feb 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1398
Abstract
The quantity and quality of wall rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) production are strongly influenced by the cultivation system, in particular the protected environment conditions and nitrogen fertilization. In the present research, we tested two greenhouse cover films (Film1: diffuse light; Film2: clear), [...] Read more.
The quantity and quality of wall rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) production are strongly influenced by the cultivation system, in particular the protected environment conditions and nitrogen fertilization. In the present research, we tested two greenhouse cover films (Film1: diffuse light; Film2: clear), to verify the effects on yield and nitrate content (a detrimental factor of quality) of rocket leaves, fertilized with optimal (N2) or sub-optimal nitrogen dose (N1), or unfertilized (N0). In addition, we combined the N fertilization with a biostimulant application, declared by the manufacturer as able to reduce nitrate content. Film1 provided a 36% yield increase over Film2 and allowed an increasing production until the V harvest, opposite to what was recorded under Film2, where the yield increased only until the III harvest. Additionally, biostimulant application boosted the yield (+40%), as well as nitrogen fertilization. Both factors had the best performance under Film1, where N1 yield was even equal to N2-Film2. The nitrate content showed a seasonal trend (lower values in spring harvests) and it was boosted by nitrogen (1096, 3696, and 4963 mg/kg fresh weight, for N0, N1, and N2, respectively) and biostimulant application (3924 vs. 2580 mg/kg fresh weight). Therefore, the use of diffuse-light film seems useful to obtain higher yield with a halved N dose as well as in combination with biostimulant application, but the latter did not confirm the capacity to contain nitrate, at least for this crop and in this cultivation system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables)
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11 pages, 18918 KiB  
Article
Composition of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger), Soil Properties and Soil Enzyme Activities Grown in Different Concentration of Mineral Fertilizers
by Dilfuza Jabborova, Ravish Choudhary, Abdulahat Azimov, Zafarjon Jabbarov, Samy Selim, Mohammed Abu-Elghait, Said E. Desouky, Islam H. El Azab, Amnah Mohammed Alsuhaibani, Adel Khattab and AlBaraa ElSaied
Horticulturae 2022, 8(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8010043 - 02 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4762
Abstract
Ginger is rich in different chemical compounds such as phenolic compounds, terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, minerals, and vitamins. The present study investigated the effect of mineral fertilizers on the content of mineral elements in the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, soil enzymes [...] Read more.
Ginger is rich in different chemical compounds such as phenolic compounds, terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, minerals, and vitamins. The present study investigated the effect of mineral fertilizers on the content of mineral elements in the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, soil enzymes activity, and soil properties in Surkhandarya Region, Uzbekistan. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first in Uzbekistan to investigate the mineral elements of ginger rhizome inhabiting Termez district, Surkhandarya region. A Field experiment was conducted at the Surkhandarya experimental station research Institute. Four treatments have been studied (Control with no fertilizers (T-1), N75P50K50 kg/ha (T-2), N125P100K100 kg/ha (T-3) and N100P75K75 + B3Zn6Fe6 kg/ha (T-4)). Results showed that T-4 treatment significantly increased ginger rhizome K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Na, Mn, Zn, Si, Li, and V content as compared to all other treatments and control. T-3 treatment significantly increased Mo, Ga, and Ag content in comparison to other treatments. Soil enzymes showed a significant increase for all treatments against control, while T-4 treatment has recorded the highest enzyme activity in comparison to all other treatments in urease, invertase, and catalase content. Soil chemical properties have significantly changed for all treatments against the non-cultivated soil and the zero fertilizers plantation with variation among different treatments. Results showed that ginger root is rich in minerals and can be used as a great potential for nutritional supplements and soil enrichment. This study suggest that combination of macro-microelements have the potential to increase the content of mineral elements in the rhizomes of ginger in field conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables)
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6 pages, 616 KiB  
Brief Report
High Level of Salmonella Contamination of Leafy Vegetables Sold around the Niayes Zone of Senegal
by Fatou Béye Sarré, Yakhya Dièye, Adji Marième Seck, Cheikh Fall and Modou Dieng
Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010097 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1856
Abstract
Foodborne diseases are an important public health concern worldwide. Following a first global estimate of the burden of these diseases by the World Health Organization in 2015, many high-income countries implemented the generation of national data as a part of strategies to limit [...] Read more.
Foodborne diseases are an important public health concern worldwide. Following a first global estimate of the burden of these diseases by the World Health Organization in 2015, many high-income countries implemented the generation of national data as a part of strategies to limit the transmission of pathogens through the food chain. In contrast, low-income countries, especially in the sub-Saharan Africa region, have limited data available on the burden and the source of contamination of produce destined for human and animal consumption. In this study, we analyzed Salmonella contamination of vegetables sold in supermarkets and open wet markets of five cities located in the Niayes zone, an area of high market gardening activities in the north western area of Senegal. We found high levels of Salmonella contamination of leafy vegetables, including mint leaves, parsley and lettuce. Contamination was higher in samples from supermarkets compared to open markets. Our results stress the need for an active surveillance of the microbiological quality of vegetables in Senegal, especially the presence of Salmonella, in order to prevent the risk of transmission of this bacterium through the food chain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Green Leafy Vegetables)
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