Acceptance of ornamental crops depends on a large extent on flower color, fragrance and shape. Flower number and size, uniformity of blooming, as well as plant shape, patterning and color determine the crop's appeal. Vase life, or postharvest quality retention, involves preserving specific features such as flower color and scent. In addition, leaf and stem color, plant shape, and development should occur within particular ranges, while pests and diseases must be absent. Thus, genotype, growing conditions, harvest practices and postharvest conditions contribute to maintaining quality after harvest.
This Research Topic aims to gather research on innovation, technology, and sustainability of ornamental plant production, in order to stimulate the development around ornamental crops, particularly focused on cut and potted flowers and foliage. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Methods and Perspective articles falling within one or more of the following subjects.
1) Plant breeding:
- new breeding strategies (including in vitro and ex vitro approaches);
- editing innovations;
- studies on biodiversity and access to genetic resources, ploidy manipulation, interspecific and intergenic hybridization, genome structure and ornamental traits;
- studies on understanding the drivers for the demand of cut flowers and ornamental plants, which provide valuable insights for plant breeders.
2) Seedling production while improving quality and increasing productivity:
- new propagation techniques both in vitro and ex vitro;
- use and applications of precision horticulture;
- disease and pest control;
- hydroponic and aeroponic systems;
- fertigation;
- new management techniques;
- studies on sustainability concerns, such as impact on the environment and how to reduce it (for example using recycling containers and trays) and practices for sustainable supply chain.
3) Postharvest quality:
- the effect of genotype, preharvest, and postharvest on quality and vase life, including the study of ornamental features that are important for quality, such as pigment and scent biosynthesis and/or flower and plant shape.
4) Structures for production, harvest, postharvest, and storage:
- studies on greenhouses, irrigation systems, light and climate control as well as on new technologies for seedling production;
- sustainability technologies, such as the use of solar panels or the collection and use of running water;
- new technologies for postharvest preservation, such as new equipment, climate control techniques and the use of preservation products, including the use of natural products or nanotechnology.
Please note that studies welcome in this Research Topic should be placed in a physiological context, and the focus should be on the physiological processes. Descriptive studies that report responses of growth, yield or quality to treatments will not be considered if they do not progress physiological understanding of these responses. We expect that contributions will show innovative approaches to breeding, propagation, cultivation and postharvest processing of ornamental crops. Therefore, basic and applied results that contribute to innovative and sustainable systems are most welcome.
Acceptance of ornamental crops depends on a large extent on flower color, fragrance and shape. Flower number and size, uniformity of blooming, as well as plant shape, patterning and color determine the crop's appeal. Vase life, or postharvest quality retention, involves preserving specific features such as flower color and scent. In addition, leaf and stem color, plant shape, and development should occur within particular ranges, while pests and diseases must be absent. Thus, genotype, growing conditions, harvest practices and postharvest conditions contribute to maintaining quality after harvest.
This Research Topic aims to gather research on innovation, technology, and sustainability of ornamental plant production, in order to stimulate the development around ornamental crops, particularly focused on cut and potted flowers and foliage. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Methods and Perspective articles falling within one or more of the following subjects.
1) Plant breeding:
- new breeding strategies (including in vitro and ex vitro approaches);
- editing innovations;
- studies on biodiversity and access to genetic resources, ploidy manipulation, interspecific and intergenic hybridization, genome structure and ornamental traits;
- studies on understanding the drivers for the demand of cut flowers and ornamental plants, which provide valuable insights for plant breeders.
2) Seedling production while improving quality and increasing productivity:
- new propagation techniques both in vitro and ex vitro;
- use and applications of precision horticulture;
- disease and pest control;
- hydroponic and aeroponic systems;
- fertigation;
- new management techniques;
- studies on sustainability concerns, such as impact on the environment and how to reduce it (for example using recycling containers and trays) and practices for sustainable supply chain.
3) Postharvest quality:
- the effect of genotype, preharvest, and postharvest on quality and vase life, including the study of ornamental features that are important for quality, such as pigment and scent biosynthesis and/or flower and plant shape.
4) Structures for production, harvest, postharvest, and storage:
- studies on greenhouses, irrigation systems, light and climate control as well as on new technologies for seedling production;
- sustainability technologies, such as the use of solar panels or the collection and use of running water;
- new technologies for postharvest preservation, such as new equipment, climate control techniques and the use of preservation products, including the use of natural products or nanotechnology.
Please note that studies welcome in this Research Topic should be placed in a physiological context, and the focus should be on the physiological processes. Descriptive studies that report responses of growth, yield or quality to treatments will not be considered if they do not progress physiological understanding of these responses. We expect that contributions will show innovative approaches to breeding, propagation, cultivation and postharvest processing of ornamental crops. Therefore, basic and applied results that contribute to innovative and sustainable systems are most welcome.