About this Research Topic
Greenhouse cultivation systems have a potentially high environmental impact because of the considerable inputs required to support production. The wide use of technical and agronomic inputs appears necessary for the dynamism of crop rotations and degree of intensification that distinguish this sector, which are difficult to find in other agricultural cropping systems. The environmentally friendly management of greenhouse cultivation, with a significant reduction in irrigation and/or chemical inputs, has been a priority for the operators in this sector. Now global climate change pushes us to move even more quickly in the direction of sustainability. Intensive greenhouse crop systems are considered strategic sectors for ecological transition and environmental protection; today there is a greater environmental awareness and a growing number of farmers who want to adopt sustainable and efficient cultivation systems even if not officially certified as organic.
It is urgent to reduce dependence on pesticides, antimicrobials, and fertilizers, and, at the same time, we need to enhance integrated and organic agriculture and reverse the loss of biodiversity. This Research Topic aims to focus the work of researchers in the sector to provide greenhouse operators with valuable ideas for a change of course and propose new sustainable models in the protected crop systems sector. Among these, we can include: precision farming, alternative-sustainable soilless systems, sustainable soil-substrate management, use of suitable cultivars or resilient and neglected species in crop rotations, efficient irrigation and fertilization use, balanced mineral or organic nutrient management plans, plant growth promoting products, and microorganism applications.
This Research Topic aims to collect research and review articles, as well as novel arguments (to introduce new hypotheses or theories) and opinion articles, focusing on the effects of scientific research and technological innovation to generate sustainable greenhouse cultivation systems. We welcome submissions of original research articles, reviews, and opinion articles in a wide range of areas related, but not limited, to the following themes:
- Innovative approaches to greenhouse management: the use of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), or robotics for precision management of fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and other inputs in greenhouse cultivation systems.
- Novel soilless systems for sustainability: the development of new strategies and technological advancements that can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of soilless systems in greenhouses. This can include exploring energy sources, zero run-off systems, organic fertilizers, microorganisms, and other innovative solutions.
- Advancements in greenhouse soil management: sustainable practices for greenhouse soil management, such as the return of crop residues, dynamics of decomposition, nutrient release from organic residues, biocontrol of soil-borne pests and diseases, and other ecological approaches.
- Ecological nutrient management in greenhouse cultivation: the optimization of nutrient supply from organic or mineral fertilization and evaluate its impact on the microbial community and root-microbe interactions in greenhouse soils.
- Sustainable substrate solutions: the development of new sustainable substrates derived from renewable resources for nursery and soilless systems in greenhouse cultivation. Impact on plant growth, environmental sustainability, and overall system efficiency.
- Biostimulants for sustainable growth: the use of biostimulant compounds, both microbial and non-microbial, in greenhouse cultivation systems. Effects on plant growth, yield, and resilience, and potential for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
- Diversifying greenhouse crop rotations: the inclusion of neglected, underutilized, and stress-resilient species in greenhouse crop rotation systems.
PLEASE NOTE: Descriptive studies that report responses of growth, yield, or quality to agronomical treatments will not be considered if they do not progress physiological understanding of these responses.
It is urgent to reduce dependence on pesticides, antimicrobials, and fertilizers, and, at the same time, we need to enhance integrated and organic agriculture and reverse the loss of biodiversity. This Research Topic aims to focus the work of researchers in the sector to provide greenhouse operators with valuable ideas for a change of course and propose new sustainable models in the protected crop systems sector. Among these, we can include: precision farming, alternative-sustainable soilless systems, sustainable soil-substrate management, use of suitable cultivars or resilient and neglected species in crop rotations, efficient irrigation and fertilization use, balanced mineral or organic nutrient management plans, plant growth promoting products, and microorganism applications.
This Research Topic aims to collect research and review articles, as well as novel arguments (to introduce new hypotheses or theories) and opinion articles, focusing on the effects of scientific research and technological innovation to generate sustainable greenhouse cultivation systems. We welcome submissions of original research articles, reviews, and opinion articles in a wide range of areas related, but not limited, to the following themes:
- Innovative approaches to greenhouse management: the use of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), or robotics for precision management of fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and other inputs in greenhouse cultivation systems.
- Novel soilless systems for sustainability: the development of new strategies and technological advancements that can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of soilless systems in greenhouses. This can include exploring energy sources, zero run-off systems, organic fertilizers, microorganisms, and other innovative solutions.
- Advancements in greenhouse soil management: sustainable practices for greenhouse soil management, such as the return of crop residues, dynamics of decomposition, nutrient release from organic residues, biocontrol of soil-borne pests and diseases, and other ecological approaches.
- Ecological nutrient management in greenhouse cultivation: the optimization of nutrient supply from organic or mineral fertilization and evaluate its impact on the microbial community and root-microbe interactions in greenhouse soils.
- Sustainable substrate solutions: the development of new sustainable substrates derived from renewable resources for nursery and soilless systems in greenhouse cultivation. Impact on plant growth, environmental sustainability, and overall system efficiency.
- Biostimulants for sustainable growth: the use of biostimulant compounds, both microbial and non-microbial, in greenhouse cultivation systems. Effects on plant growth, yield, and resilience, and potential for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
- Diversifying greenhouse crop rotations: the inclusion of neglected, underutilized, and stress-resilient species in greenhouse crop rotation systems.
PLEASE NOTE: Descriptive studies that report responses of growth, yield, or quality to agronomical treatments will not be considered if they do not progress physiological understanding of these responses.
Keywords: vegetable crops, agronomic practices, crop management, protected cultivations, abiotic stress, biostimulants, resilient vegetable crops, crop sustainability, sustainable fertilization, vegetable quality
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
