Water scarcity is a critical constraint for agricultural production, particularly in Mediterranean regions, since it is a key stressor directly affecting plant growth, yield, and fruit quality in vegetables. Among others, cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) represents a high-value crop with increasing global importance due to its economic, nutritional, and commercial attributes. The objective of this research is to evaluate the seasonal (autumn and spring) effects of reduced irrigation volumes relative to commercial practice on the yield, fruit quality, water-use efficiency (WUE), and physiological responses of cherry tomato plants grown under greenhouse conditions. Plants were irrigated according to growers’ standard practices (100%), as well as 75% and 50% of that water volume, throughout a cultivation cycle of 11 months (August to July). Results indicate strong seasonal variation in quality and physiological parameters (+35.3% single fruit fresh weight and +34.2% flesh firmness, but −68.2% total phenolic compounds content and −38.5% total antioxidant capacity during late autumn assessment). A 50% irrigation level reduction significantly improved water-use efficiency (+82.7%), but reduced single fruit fresh weight (−22.9%) and showed a declining trend in total yield. We conclude that local irrigation practices should be reconsidered in regions highly affected by water scarcity and suggest that the 75% treatment has a practical potential.

Watermelon is an important vegetable crop cultivated worldwide with significant nutritional and economic value. Due to its susceptibility to soilborne pathogens, grafted seedlings are highly preferred. Robust scions are a prerequisite for the quality of the grafted seedling. Seedling production in a plant factory with artificial lighting offers advantages in space-use efficiency and control over growth parameters. In these systems, dynamic lighting, i.e., changing lighting conditions over a given period, can improve energy-use efficiency or enhance the physiological performance of growing plants. Hence, this study aimed to test whether dynamically adjusted blue/red ratios during the production period influence the physiology, growth, quality, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant capacity of scion watermelon seedlings produced in a PFAL. Two blue/red (high and low) ratios were tested over a 10-day growth period under constant illumination (H and L) or with a change in the middle of cultivation (HL and LH). The results showed that a high blue/red light ratio during the growth of young watermelon scions, especially during the final days of production (average of H and LH), enhanced biochemical responses (+29.5% phenolic compound content and +26–158% antioxidant capacity compared to L). Conversely, a shift to a low blue/red light ratio (HL) improved overall seedling quality (+35% Dickson’s quality index, +33% sturdiness quotient, and +18% total leaf chlorophyll content compared to L).

Halophyte plants constitute vital resources for the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices in soils affected by salinity; however, the precise germination requirements for these species are still inadequately investigated. In this study, we examined how Salicornia europaea aggr., a succulent edible halophyte species, germinates under different genetic, environmental, and hormonal conditions such as gibberellic acid (GA3), testing the effects of genotype, light exposure, and salinity stress on seed and early seedling development. Two genotypes (GR-1-BBKK-24.6196 and GR-1-BBKK-25.6212) were examined across a range of GA3 (0, 250, 500 ppm), light intensity (40 and 80 μmol m-2 s-1), and salt concentrations (0 and 1% NaCl). At the seedling stage, four NaCl concentrations were used (0, 50, 100, 200 mM NaCl). Our data showed that S. europaea seeds do not exhibit dormancy-GA3 treatment had no effect on germination success. Dark conditions and salt exposure both hindered germination, whereas the highest light intensity (80 μmol m-2 s-1) improved it considerably. Salt stress progressively slowed seedling growth. Seedling development was enhanced by 200 mM NaCl demonstrating inconsistency of the effect of salinity between the seed and seedling stages. Overall, our work demonstrates that the germination in S. europaea varies substantially between genotypes, with sufficient light and low salt being particularly important for maximizing seed germination, while 200 mM NaCl seems to promote seedling growth.

Root-zone temperature is a critical environmental parameter affecting the development, physiology, and nutritional status of leafy vegetables in soilless systems such as the nutrient film technique (NFT) and aeroponics. In the present article, we report on responses of mini Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) upon cultivation using heated nutrient solution targeting minimum temperatures of 14, 18, and 22 °C versus ambient (control; 11–12 °C), both in the NFT and in the aeroponics system. In both systems, the higher temperatures (i.e., 18 and 22 °C) led to considerably higher leaf mass per system area (127–232% in NFT; 54–75% in aeroponics) and leaf length (more than 21% in all cases). Root dry weight and total soluble solids were positively affected by increasing temperatures only in the NFT. Performance indices of the photosynthetic mechanism (PIabs and PItot) were increased in the lower temperatures in the NFT. Antioxidant activity and total phenolics were not affected in either soilless system. Total chlorophylls and carotenoids were enhanced by 18 and 22 °C in the NFT and aeroponics, respectively, while anthocyanins were also variably affected. Finally, nitrate content was significantly reduced (−42%) in 18 °C in the NFT. Sub-optimal root-zone temperatures constrained root development and biomass accumulation, indicating that growth limitation was mainly driven by sink-related processes rather than carbon assimilation. Overall, heating the nutrient solution to a minimum of 22 °C in low- and mid-tech greenhouses during cool months can increase the production efficiency of mini Romaine lettuce in the NFT and aeroponics.

Growing pressure on water resources and mineral fertilizer use calls for innovative and resource-efficient agri-food systems. Aquaponics, integrating aquaculture and hydroponics, represents a promising approach for sustainable greenhouse production. This study, aiming to explore alternative water and nutrient sources for greenhouse tomato production without compromising plant adaptability or yield, evaluated the co-cultivation of grape tomato and rainbow trout in a vertical decoupled aquaponic system under controlled greenhouse conditions. Two aquaponic nutrient strategies were tested: unmodified aquaponic water (AP) and complemented aquaponic water (CAP), with conventional hydroponics (HP) as a control, in a Deep Water Culture hydroponic system. Plant performance was assessed through marketable yield and physiological parameters, while system performance was evaluated using combined-biomass Energy Use Efficiency (EUE), Freshwater Use Efficiency (fWUE) and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE), accounting for both plant and fish production. CAP significantly improved tomato yield (9.86 kg m−2) compared to AP (2.40 kg m−2), although it remained lower than HP (12.14 kg m−2). Fresh WUE was comparable between CAP and HP (9.22 vs. 9.24 g L−1), demonstrating effective water reuse. In contrast, EUE and NUE were lower in CAP, reflecting the additional energy demand of the recirculating aquaculture system and nutrient limitations of fish wastewater. These results highlight aquaponics as a water-efficient production system while emphasizing that optimized nutrient management and energy strategies are critical for improving its overall sustainability and performance.

Digital horticulture is the integration of digital technologies into horticultural practices to optimize production, improve efficiency, and promote sustainability. In this work we provide guidance on how to build a user-friendly and low-cost digital horticulture system with off-the-shelf components aimed at operating inside a greenhouse.

Cherry tomato is a highly demanding crop regarding temperature and water requirements. Considering that the climate crisis has already affected soil quality, water quality and quantity, and temperatures throughout the year, some cultivation practices may need to adapt to the new reality. This research aims to investigate whether soil type in a greenhouse (Zones 1 and 2), deficient irrigation (50% of the optimal irrigation according to the producer), or their interaction can affect the fruit production per plant and quality of cherry tomatoes. Evaluated parameters included total and monthly fruit production per plant, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, total soluble solids, and lycopene content. Results indicate that fruit production per plant was not significantly affected by any treatment or their interaction. Cherry tomato fruit quality was not dramatically affected by either soil type or irrigation level. To conclude, irrigation levels can be reduced by 50% without compromising tomato fruit quality and production per plant. These results can be a potential to adaptation to the climate crisis and water scarcity.

The narrow margin for irrigation error in aeroponics necessitates advanced control strategies beyond fixed timer-based approaches. This study evaluates a plant-driven irrigation method based on real-time leaf turgor feedback in aeroponic romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) cultivation. A leaf thickness–turgor sensor was interfaced with an Arduino Mega 2560 to activate misting events dynamically. Two identical aeroponic systems were operated in a fully controlled environment: a conventional timer-based control (TC) system applying mist every 10 min and an Arduino-controlled (AC) system triggered by turgor changes. Over two independent 37-day cultivation cycles, the AC strategy reduced total water use by an average of 15.9% and pump activations by 17.2% while improving water use efficiency by 17.8% and nutrient use efficiency for N, P, and K by an average of 17.8%, with no statistically significant differences in shoot biomass, height, or yield. Although root dry weight was significantly higher under TC, the AC treatment led to a 45.0% reduction in leaf nitrate accumulation and non-significant increases in phenolic content. These findings demonstrate the potential of turgor-responsive irrigation for enhancing sustainability, resource use efficiency, and the quality of produce in aeroponic systems, thereby supporting its broader integration into controlled-environment agriculture (CEA).

Abiotic stresses like salinity are proven to be crucial limiting factors in the seed germination of many plant species and the later establishment of cultivation regarding plant growth, yield and fruit quality. Therefore, there is a pressing need to find practices and materials to enhance abiotic stress tolerance from early stages such as germination so that plants can overcome these stresses as soon as possible. A total of six treatments of seaweed extracts [1, 2 and 3% of Algit Super (Ascophyllum nodosum) and Alga 300 (Sargassum spp.)] and three controls were tested, with 20 seeds per replication soaked in each extract concentration for 15′; four replications were carried out per treatment and seeds were placed on Petri dishes in the dark. Speed and percentage of germination, vigor index I and II, dry weight and average lengths of roots and shoots were evaluated under 75 mM NaCl stress. All treatments positively affected all parameters evaluated, whether significant or not. Results indicate that soaking tomato seeds in seaweed extracts of various concentrations led to a significantly increased speed and percentage of germination, vigor index I and II, dry weight and average lengths of roots and shoots. The best combination of concentration and seaweed species is concluded to be 2% Sargassum spp. for all parameters evaluated.

Plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) are a notable choice for urban agriculture due to the system’s benefits, where light can be manipulated to enhance the product’s yield and quality. Our objective was to test the effect of light spectra with different red-blue combinations and white light on the growth, physiology, and overall quality of three baby-leaf vegetables (green lettuce, kale, and pak choi) grown in a restaurant’s PFAL. Leaf mass per area was lower under the most blue-containing treatments in all species. The performance indices (PIabs and PItot) of the photosynthetic apparatus were lower under more red light with the exception of PIabs in pak choi. Total soluble solids accumulation was diminished under most of the blue-containing LEDs, while total phenolics and antioxidant activity were induced by red-blue environments rich in blue light. Moreover, chlorophyll and carotenoid accumulation was also enhanced under blue-rich light treatments. Nitrate content was the lowest under monochromatic blue in all species. Finally, the employees were asked about their views on the PFAL within the restaurant’s compounds and they expressed positive opinions. Overall, a light environment including red and blue wavelengths proved beneficial for baby leafy vegetable production in terms of yield and quality.

Plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) are indoor crop production systems aiming at the growth of high-value products in terms of yield and quality, while maximizing resource use efficiency. The emergence of PFALs opened a new world for crop production and offered an option to tackle problems related to climate change, land availability, and urban/peri-urban farming. This was made possible upon major technological advancements and extensive research in the field of controlled environment agriculture, which paved the way for the establishment of such cost-efficient and climate-unaffected modules of vegetable and other crops’ production. In the present review, we have examined the recent research achievements regarding the micro-environmental factors, the principal components, as well as the automated systems used for plant production in PFALs. Ultimately, we provide the reader with a number of future perspectives that can be considered for indoors cultivation in the following years.

Microgreen vegetables are nowadays a popular crop mainly produced hydroponically in controlled environments. In soilless culture, plants are produced using inert substrates with various properties. Besides, all the macronutrients and trace elements necessary for plant growth and development are provided in the form of a nutrient solution. It is possible to achieve similar yield and product quality of microgreens by using different substrates and reducing the input of nutrients. Our aim was to test the effect of three substrates (peat, coco coir, and cannabis mat) and three nutrient solution strengths (0, 50, and 100 %; NS0, NS50, and NS100) on the growth and quality of mustard, radish, and pea grown as microgreens in a plant factory with artificial lighting. As a general rule, cannabis mat and/or NS0 led to considerably decelerated growth of all microgreens. The antioxidant content including the amount of phenolics showed opposite trends compared to the yield of each microgreen. The hydroponic substrate showed species or variety dependency, especially in the phytochemical compounds. To conclude, treatments including NS100, as well as NS50 with peat showed promising results for high yield, relatively high nutritional value, while also saving the most from the use of fertilizers during microgreen vegetable production.

In the realm of global diets, green leafy vegetables are recognized for their culinary flexibility and nutritional value. This paper presents a thorough investigation of green leafy plants, exploring their botanical diversity and their impact on health, socio-economic, cultural, and environmental aspects. Beginning with an examination of their taxonomy and current consumption trends, the paper delves into their nutritional benefits, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Furthermore, it discusses their potential contributions to biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and environmental resilience. Future perspectives explore technological advances, market dynamics and production sustainability, while considering the impacts of climate change on post-harvest handling. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the paper provides holistic insights into the implications of green leafy vegetable production and consumption, emphasizing their important role in addressing global challenges in promoting human health and sustainable development. Overall, it advocates for further research, policy initiatives, and collective action to promote the cultivation, consumption, and integration of wider variety of green leafy vegetables into food systems for a healthier and more sustainable future.

Soil salinity has become one of the most challenging environmental issues in recent years, hence the importance of restoration is vital. Biochar contributes to soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, promotes plant nutrition, and thus is widely used as an alternative material for the remediation of salt-affected soils. Biostimulants also help plants tolerate biotic and abiotic stress and increase their nutrient use efficiency. For that reason, a pot study with a saline soil under high risk of secondary alkalinization was conducted using lettuce plants in a completely randomized design with three treatments: control (CL), addition of sewage sludge biochar (BC) and addition of Actiwave® a seaweed extract-based biostimulant (AC). Essential macro- and micro-nutrients, respective physicochemical soil properties and salinity parameters were assessed among treatments, and all parameters were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis to determine their interrelationships. BC application positively impacted lettuce yield (19.1

Introducing non- or under-utilized crops to cultivation generates benefits such as biodiversity enrichment, supporting mitigation actions towards climate change-induced effects. The salinization of soil and water supplies is progressively disrupting natural habitats and food production, especially in regions such as the Mediterranean. Sonchus oleraceus L. is a Mediterranean wild leafy green with nutritional and medicinal properties. This study’s purpose was to determine whether salinity affects the growth, quality, and nutrient composition of Sonchus oleraceus L. In an unheated plastic greenhouse, seedlings were transplanted in pots filled with perlite and irrigated with a nutrient solution with no NaCl added (the control, C) or with the addition of 40, 60, 80, and 100 mM of NaCl (treatments S4, S6, S8, and S10, respectively). The leaf and root growth, leaf quality, and the nutrient composition of leaves and roots were determined. Regarding the results, growth was mainly affected at high salinity levels (S8 and S10), with no observed effects of salinity on the determined quality parameters. The nutrient composition was variably affected by salinity in leaves but not in roots (except in the case of Na and the K/Na ratio). Sonchus oleraceus L. showed a general relative tolerance in moderate salinity levels (40 and 60 mM of NaCl), suggesting potential commercial exploitation of the species in areas where the quality of irrigation water is low. However, the health effects of consuming this species grown under salinity stress need to be studied in future research.

IntroductionAquaponics is an integrated food production system that links recirculating aquaculture with hydroponics, leading to higher water use efficiency than conventional food production systems while also saving on fertilizers. In the present study, baby lettuce and baby rocket plants cultivated hydroponically in a deep water culture system using wastewater from rainbow trout were evaluated as part of a vertical decoupled aquaponic system.Materials and methodsMore specifically, three different nutrient solutions were supplied: a) using fish wastewater only (designated as Fish); b) fish wastewater enriched with synthetic fertilizers (Mix); and c) a typical nutrient solution (Hoagland) as the control. Both lettuce and rocket plants were monitored in these nutrient solutions and in two different substrates, peat and perlite, as an organic and an inert substrate, respectively. The purpose of this study was to assess a vertical decoupled aquaponic system with regard to the resource use efficiency, such as water, land, and energy, while evaluating plant cultivation in the different treatments in terms of yield, growth, nitrate concentration on the leaf tissue, and foliar analysis. The photosynthetic rate and leaf color indices were also considered in the plant evaluation.ResultsThe Mix–Peat treatment was the most efficient growing combination in terms of land and water use efficiency, with approximately 7% better land use efficiency while using 38% less water and 10% less fertilizer than Hoagland–Peat. Moreover, lettuce plants had the highest yield in the Mix–Peat treatment, at 2,497 g m−2, which was approximately 6% higher than that of Hoagland–Peat while not being inferior in the quality measures. On the other hand, the yield of rocket was significantly higher in the Hoagland–Peat treatment, being 18% higher than that of Mix–Peat and 30% higher than that of Fish–Peat. Overall, the study confirmed that aquaponic systems could lead to higher water use efficiency and savings in fertilizers without undermining the yield and quality of lettuce, while the vertical arrangement developed within the scope of this study can increase the land useefficiency of the system.

Enzymatic browning, occurring on the cut surfaces of many popular fresh-cut fruit and vegetables due to wounding and the activity of endogenous polyphenyloxidase enzymes, is considered as the main reason for their rejection by consumers. In this study, water extracts were obtained from seeds of cabbage, sinapis, and wild rocket at 10 and 20% w/w seed:water ratios (SWE) and analyzed for total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (AC). The extract was then applied on cut surfaces of mid rib segments of lettuce leaves for 1 or 3 min. The segments were stored at 7 °C for 14 days. The SWE’s inhibitory capacity on enzymatic browning were measured by CIELAB color coordinates L* a* and b* and expressed as second derivatives, their % inhibition and different indices. An additional visual acceptance measurement and calculation of shelf life was also performed. The seed extracts of cabbage at 10–20% and wild rocket at 20% showed the highest anti-browning efficacy (comparable to 25 mM potassium metabisulfite control) along with TPC and AC. A high % of seed:water extract and increased exposure time led to a considerable increase in shelf life, visual score, % inhibition of browning or whitening index of the extracts of all seed sources. Chromatometric outcome data clearly showed that the visual data were more accurate than the chromatometric procedure (L*, a*, b* values, their derives ΔE, h°, C, Δh° and ΔC or calculated indices), although the latter could detect the differing degrees of browning development or its inhibition in treated and control segments during storage.

The pre-sowing treatment of seeds with an α static magnetic field has been reported in the literature as a means of enhancing plant development. In this work, we have designed, characterized, and constructed a setup for exposing small vegetable seeds to a static magnetic field. In a series of experiments, we have treated the seeds of vegetables that are important for the Mediterranean diet, i.e., tomato, lettuce, and salad rocket. The results show that tomato seedlings significantly benefit from a pre-sowing treatment with a magnetic flux density of 45 mT, for both an exposure time of 60 and 90 min compared to control, while the time of treatment that leads to improved growth is 90 min. In order to improve the growth of salad rocket seedlings the magnetic field had to be 150 mT, whereas the results for lettuce seeds were a bit inconsistent, i.e., it is not clear whether a lower (45 mT) or a higher (300 mT) magnetic flux density should be applied.

By 2050, the increasing demand for food will put additional pressure on natural resources. Underutilized crops, such as wild vegetables, are an essential component of the Mediterranean diet and are widely correlated with the traditional cuisine of Mediterranean countries. They could be widely associated with resistance to abiotic stress and enhanced genetic diversity, and could provide various ecosystem services. Their cultivation could support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the UN and the current EU policies related to environmentally friendly agriculture. Based on an extensive literature review, the aim of this paper is to summarize the environmental and ecological requirements of specific Mediterranean underutilized vegetables, the provisioning and regulating ecosystem services that could be derived from their cultivation, and their potential use. It is concluded that thorough planning of underutilized crop cultivation could enhance the provisioning and regulating ecosystem services that positively affect Mediterranean agriculture. However, further research should be carried out regarding their environmental and economic impact in order to assess the environmental and socio-economic effects of underutilized crops cultivation. This could lead to designing future policies that support underutilized crop cultivation and consumption.

By applying three different LED light treatments, designated as blue (B), red (R)/blue (B), red (R) and white (W) light, as well as the control, the effect on Diplotaxis tenuifolia phenotype (yield and quality), and physiological, biochemical, and molecular status, as well as growing system resource use efficiency, was examined. We observed that basic leaf characteristics, such as leaf area, leaf number, relative chlorophyll content, as well as root characteristics, such as total root length and root architecture, remained unaffected by different LEDs. Yield expressed in fresh weight was slightly lower in LED lights than in the control (1113 g m−2), with R light producing the least (679 g m−2). However, total soluble solids were significantly affected (highest, 5.5° Brix, in R light) and FRAP was improved in all LED lights (highest, 191.8 μg/g FW, in B) in comparison to the control, while the nitrate content was less (lowest, 949.2 μg/g FW, in R). Differential gene expression showed that B LED light affected more genes in comparison to R and R/B lights. Although total phenolic content was improved under all LED lights (highest, 1.05 mg/g FW, in R/B), we did not detect a significant amount of DEGs in the phenylpropanoid pathway. R light positively impacts the expression of the genes encoding for photosynthesis components. On the other hand, the positive impact of R light on SSC was possibly due to the expression of key genes being induced, such as SUS1. In summary, this research is an integrative and innovative study, where the exploration of the effect of different LED lights on rocket growing under protected cultivation, in a closed chamber cultivation system, was performed at multiple levels.