Strategies in Fruit Trees and Vegetables to Increase Nutrient Use Efficiency

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 March 2023) | Viewed by 9886

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Santa Maria, Prédio 42, Office 3309, Avenida Roraima 1000, Santa Maria 95105-900, Brazil
Interests: plant nutrition; soil fertility; fertilization; fruit quality; heavy metals; roots; sustainable orchards and vineyards
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Guest Editor
Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Campus Experimental de Registro, Nelson Brihi Badur, nº 430, Vila Tupy, Registro, SP 11900000, Brazil
Interests: soil fertility; plant nutrition; soil analysis; plant analysis; fruit trees

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Guest Editor
Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Quinta do Marquês, Av. República, Nova Oeiras, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
Interests: symbiotic N2 fixation; pastures; agroforestry systems; nitrogen; phosphorus; organic matter dynamics; C stock and sequestration

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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

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soils cannot always provide the quantities of nutrients that fruit trees and vegetables need. Therefore, fertilization is necessary in many cases. However, a significant proportion of the nutrients applied to crops are not used by the plants. Thus, there is a need to use strategies to increase the nutrients use by plants, such as the establishment of adequate sampling procedures for soil, plant tissue and soil solution; models/methodologies for estimating plant nutritional status, soil nutrient availability and crop yield; adequate doses, timing, forms of nutrients supply and fertilizer sources. The goal of ongoing research and development is to increase productivity and food safe, and reduce the potential for contamination of soil, water and the atmosphere. The Guest Editors encourage interested authors to submit scientific articles on topics related to strategies that can be used for the cultivation of fruit trees and vegetables in order to increase the nutrient use efficiency.

Dr. Gustavo Brunetto
Dr. Danilo Eduardo Rozane
Dr. Arcângelo Loss
Dr. Corina Carranca
Dr. Elena Baldi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • fertilization
  • food quality
  • food safety
  • fruit trees
  • nutrient losses
  • nutrient use efficiency
  • soil fertility
  • plant nutrition
  • vegetables
  • yield

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 2256 KiB  
Article
Nano-Biochar Suspension Mediated Alterations in Yield and Juice Quality of Kinnow (Citrus reticulata L.)
by Muhammad Yousaf Shani, Syed Riaz Ahmed, Muhammad Yasin Ashraf, Zafran Khan, Claudio Cocozza, Francesco De Mastro, Nimra Gul, Soha Pervaiz, Shahid Abbas, Hummera Nawaz and Gennaro Brunetti
Horticulturae 2023, 9(5), 521; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/horticulturae9050521 - 22 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1554
Abstract
Nutrient deficiency negatively affects the yield and quality of citrus fruit. The present experiment was carried out to investigate the improvement in fruit yield and juice quality of Kinnow (Citrus reticulata L.) by foliar application of nano-biochar suspension (NBS). The experiment was [...] Read more.
Nutrient deficiency negatively affects the yield and quality of citrus fruit. The present experiment was carried out to investigate the improvement in fruit yield and juice quality of Kinnow (Citrus reticulata L.) by foliar application of nano-biochar suspension (NBS). The experiment was carried out in a citrus farmer’s orchard with a history of low fruit yield, using a randomized complete block design. Four NBS treatments, i.e., 0% (control), 1, 3, and 5%, were applied through foliar application at the flowering stage. Foliar application of NBS at 5% and 3% significantly (p < 0.05) improved flowering, fruit retention, fruit set, fruit size, length, weight, diameter, juice volume levels, and minimized fruit dropping. The electrical conductivity of the juice was significantly decreased by increases in NBS concentration. Total dissolved solids increased slightly with treatments as compared to control. However, NBS foliar application did not show significant effects on nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) leaf contents, but had some effect on phosphorus (P) content. Principal component analysis and a correlation matrix revealed significant (p < 0.05) positive and negative associations among the studied traits. The results of the current experiment showed that all parameters were significantly improved with the application of NBS at 3 and 5%, except that N, K, and Na levels were unaffected. The most encouraging results were achieved at a concentration of 5% NBS. In conclusions, the foliar application of NBS had a significant positive impact on fruit yield and juice quality. Full article
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11 pages, 2076 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Removed and Recycled Mineral Nutrients in Italian Commercial Persimmon Orchards
by Maurizio Quartieri, Greta Polidori, Elena Baldi and Moreno Toselli
Horticulturae 2023, 9(3), 374; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/horticulturae9030374 - 13 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1116
Abstract
Persimmon is a typical fruit crop of the Mediterranean region and, since it is considered a minor species, little information is available on its nutrients need. In the present experiment, it was estimated the quantity of removed and recycled nutrients by Kaki Tipo [...] Read more.
Persimmon is a typical fruit crop of the Mediterranean region and, since it is considered a minor species, little information is available on its nutrients need. In the present experiment, it was estimated the quantity of removed and recycled nutrients by Kaki Tipo and Rojo Brillante, the two main varieties of persimmon grown in Emilia-Romagna region (Po Valley, Italy). Plants from ten mature orchards were selected and harvested; organs (leaves in summer, fruits at harvest, abscissed leaves, roots and skeleton) biomass and mineral composition were determined. The yearly uptake of macronutrients was similar for the 2 varieties, accounting for (kg ha−1): N 89-91, P 10-11, K 79-91, Ca 132-162, Mg 22-26 and S 9. While K was mostly found in fruits, Ca and Mg were mainly partitioned to leaves. Among micronutrients, Mn and Fe showed the highest values (1.1–1.3 and 1.2–2.1 kg ha−1, respectively), followed by B (370 g ha−1), while Cu and Zn showed the smallest amounts (less 100 g ha−1). Nitrogen, Ca, Mg and S were those more recycled than removed, while K showed an opposite trend; among the microelements, the annual recycled fractions of B and Mn were higher than that removed. Full article
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15 pages, 2714 KiB  
Article
Calcium Nutrition in Fig Orchards Enhance Fruit Quality at Harvest and Storage
by Jackson Mirellys Azevêdo Souza, Sarita Leonel, Magali Leonel, Emerson Loli Garcia, Luiza Rocha Ribeiro, Rafael Bibiano Ferreira, Rafaelly Calsavara Martins, Marcelo de Souza Silva, Laís Naiara Honorato Monteiro and Anita Santos Duarte
Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 123; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/horticulturae9010123 - 16 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2323
Abstract
Due to the high perishability of figs, calcium stands out as an important nutrient for orchard management. This study aims to study the pre-harvest applications of calcium chloride in fig orchards. The fig trees were sprayed with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% [...] Read more.
Due to the high perishability of figs, calcium stands out as an important nutrient for orchard management. This study aims to study the pre-harvest applications of calcium chloride in fig orchards. The fig trees were sprayed with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% CaCl2, and fruits were thereafter stored for 0, 7, 14 and 21 d. The variables analysed were the concentration of calcium in leaves and fruits, weight loss, fruit decay, pectinolytic enzyme activity, and physical and chemical attributes of the fruits; CaCl2 sprays enhanced fruit Ca2+ concentration in leaves (14.03%) and fruits (29.3%) and were effective in reducing polygalacturonase and pectin methylesterase activity, weight loss and fruit decay. Pre-treatment with 1% CaCl2 provided fruits with larger diameters, greater firmness, and higher levels of total phenolic compounds in both fruit peel and pulp. The pre-harvest application at 1% CaCl2 showed to be a promising technique in producing high quality fruits and extended storage by approximately 7 to 10 days. These findings may be useful in planning new cultural practices for fig orchards that produce high-quality fruit with desirable characteristics for growers and consumers. Full article
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22 pages, 2271 KiB  
Article
Site-Specific Nutrient Diagnosis of Orange Groves
by Danilo Ricardo Yamane, Serge-Étienne Parent, William Natale, Arthur Bernardes Cecílio Filho, Danilo Eduardo Rozane, Rodrigo Hiyoshi Dalmazzo Nowaki, Dirceu de Mattos Junior and Léon Etienne Parent
Horticulturae 2022, 8(12), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8121126 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1458
Abstract
Nutrient diagnosis of orange (Citrus sinensis) groves in Brazil relies on regional information from a limited number of studies transferred to other environments under the ceteris paribus assumption. Interpretation methods are based on crude nutrient compositions that are intrinsically biased by [...] Read more.
Nutrient diagnosis of orange (Citrus sinensis) groves in Brazil relies on regional information from a limited number of studies transferred to other environments under the ceteris paribus assumption. Interpretation methods are based on crude nutrient compositions that are intrinsically biased by genetics X environment interactions. Our objective was to develop accurate and unbiased nutrient diagnosis of orange groves combining machine learning (ML) and compositional methods. Fruit yield and foliar nutrients were quantified in 551 rainfed 7–15-year-old orange groves of ‘Hamlin’, ‘Valência’, and ‘Pêra’ in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The data set was further documented using soil classification, soil tests, and meteorological indices. Tissue compositions were log-ratio transformed to account for nutrient interactions. Ionomes differed among scions. Regression ML models showed evidence of overfitting. Binary ML classification models showed acceptable values of areas under the curve (>0.7). Regional standards delineating the multivariate elliptical hyperspace depended on the yield cutoff. A shapeless blob hyperspace was delineated using the k-nearest successful neighbors that showed comparable features and reported realistic yield goals. Regionally derived and site-specific reference compositions may lead to differential interpretation. Large-size and diversified data sets must be collected to inform ML models along the learning curve, tackle model overfitting, and evaluate the merit of blob-scale diagnosis. Full article
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21 pages, 1980 KiB  
Article
Nutrient Content with Different Fertilizer Management and Influence on Yield and Fruit Quality in Apple cv. Gala
by Mariana Mota, Maria João Martins, Gonçalo Policarpo, Layanne Sprey, Mafalda Pastaneira, Patrícia Almeida, Anabela Maurício, Cristina Rosa, João Faria, Miguel B. Martins, Miguel L. de Sousa, Ricardo Santos, Rui M. de Sousa, Anabela B. da Silva, Henrique Ribeiro and Cristina M. Oliveira
Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 713; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/horticulturae8080713 - 08 Aug 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2574
Abstract
Assessing a plant’s nutritional status and fertilizer rates and types that can optimize fruit quality and yield are critical in intensive apple orchards. The aim of this work was to identify correlations between nutrients in the different organs that allow the early diagnosis [...] Read more.
Assessing a plant’s nutritional status and fertilizer rates and types that can optimize fruit quality and yield are critical in intensive apple orchards. The aim of this work was to identify correlations between nutrients in the different organs that allow the early diagnosis of the nutritional status and to assess the impact on the optimal nutrient content in apple leaves, as well as in the yield and quality of chemical and organic fertilization. Five orchards of ‘Gala’ were fertilized with different levels of NPK over a period of four years. Macro and micronutrients of buds, flowers, 45 and 90–110 days after full bloom (DAFB) leaves and 60 DAFB and 15 days before harvest (DBH) fruits were determined. Boron was the only element for which strong correlations, 0.7 < r < 0.9, were observed between all organ pairs. The fertilization treatments did not affect the nutrient concentrations in the leaves of 90–110 DAFB other than P, Ca and Mg and did not affect the macronutrients in the fruit. In one of the five orchards, the yield increased by 26% with double fertilization compared to standard fertilization and, for the other four orchards, the impact depended on the year. Fruit size was more related to crop load than to fertilization and TSS and firmness were not affected by the type or amount of fertilizers. Replacing part of the chemical fertilizer with organic materials did not affect productivity or fruit quality. Full article
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