Soil Organic Amendment for Horticulture

Dear Colleagues,

Organic soil amendments, defined as the composition of organic moieties derived from biomass and/or living beings, are known to increase soil organic matter (SOM), thereby improving soil health, and, respectively contributing to the improvement of plant growth. Moreover, in light of the most recent research, they have been suggested as a key pillar within the framework of an integrated nutrient management (INM) strategy for sustainable production, which in turn tends to become the dominant narrative for 21st-century agriculture.

Their beneficial role in plant production is well recognized, both for its footprint through improving soil's physical and chemical properties such as soil structure, water holding capacity, or nutrient-cycling functions, and for its enhancing role in soil microbial diversity. The above-mentioned roles are of particular importance in all aspects of horticulture, due to the emerging need for healthier and naturally non-toxic products, as well as for achieving high productivity goals. 

Therefore, the main aim of this Special Issue is to publish papers focusing on recent scientific progress and innovation in the application of soil organic amendments for horticulture. We welcome novel research, reviews, and opinion papers covering all related topics that enhance our understanding of their effects on plant growth, soil microbiota, or soil physicochemical properties. In this context, the application of any is characterized as soil organic amendment, e.g., processed animal wastes, biosolids/sewage sludge, compost/plant residues, biochar, and in fruit, vegetable, floricultural, nursery and landscape, herbal, and spice crops, is considered within the scope of this Special Issue.

Dr. Fotis Bilias
Dr. Dionisios Gasparatos
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.

• compost
• biochar
• soil properties
• horticultural crop production
• soil microbiota
• nutrient management
• mineralization