Greenhouse Plant Production Journal

Abstract Green fodder plants serve as a vital source of nutrition for livestock. However, ensuring an adequate supply of these plants for livestock faces with challenges such as limited agricultural areas, water scarcity, and negative impacts from environmental and climatic factors. To address these challenges, various strategies can be employed. Hydroponic fodder production system is new technology that can be used to produce fodder for livestock feed without using land and soil. Hydroponic fodder production has gained significant attention and is a prominent area of research in the field of agriculture. Many countries are actively working towards developing and implementing this technology to enhance livestock feed production. The purpose of this study is to focuses on the chemical composition and nutritional value of hydroponic fodder in livestock production. Also, the effect of feeding hydroponic fodder on livestock production and productivity has been reviewed. This review helps determine the potential benefits and practical implications of incorporating hydroponic fodder into livestock feeding programs.

Abstract This study investigates the effects of seed priming and micronutrient treatments on the growth and yield of maize, focusing on the single cross 704 cultivar in nutrient-deficient soils. A factorial arrangement within a randomized complete block design was employed, with treatments including hydroprimed and non-hydroprimed seeds coated with various combinations of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, FeZn, FeCu, ZnCu, and FeZnCu). Hydropriming involved soaking seeds in distilled water for 6 h, followed by air-drying, while seed coating used kaolinite clay and sugar beet molasses to apply micronutrients. Results revealed that hydroprimed seeds generally performed better across most measured traits, including fresh and dry weights of stem and leaves, number of leaves, and plant height, particularly when treated P-Zn. The combination of P-FeZnCu yielded the highest dry weights for stem and leaves, indicating a synergistic effect of these micronutrients. Non-primed seeds also showed positive responses, especially to NP-Fe, but overall performance was lower compared to primed seeds. Regression analysis highlighted the complex interactions between different micronutrient treatments. While some combinations, like Fe and Zn, exhibited significant positive effects, others, such as ZnCu and FeZnCu, demonstrated significant negative impacts, suggesting potential antagonistic interactions. These findings underscore the potential of seed priming and targeted micronutrient treatments to enhance maize growth and yield, particularly in soils with nutrient deficiencies. The study provides insights for optimizing agronomic practices and suggests that future research should focus on refining micronutrient combinations and concentrations to improve maize productivity in similar soil conditions.

Abstract Growing global warming and a projected rise in the world's population have made it imperative to produce food and agricultural products with a limited supply of water and energy sources. Conversely, there is a need to employ modern technologies, such as LED artificial lights, to ensure that plants receive adequate light energy. Therefore, this research was aimed at increasing the efficiency of supplementary LED lights, with three lettuce cultivars namely Red Sail, Edox and Summer Bibb, for four light spectrums (white, a combination of red and blue, monochromatic red and monochromatic blue) and three replacement methods of the nutrient solution for the aeroponic system such as complete replacement of the nutrient solution, based on electrical conductivity (EC) and based on plant needs. The results depicted that white light significantly affected the fresh shoot and root weight in Red Sails variety under the complete replacement method of the nutrient solution. Similarly, the highest photosynthetic pigments concentrations were observed under the combination of red and blue and for monochromatic red light. Moreover, the significant Pn, E, gs, Ci and spad were observed under white light and in all three replacement methods of nutrient solutions whereas the most positive effect was recorded in the replacement method based on plant needs. Therefore, the simultaneous use of supplemental lights and replacement methods of nutrient solution, particularly replacement based on the plant needs increases the production of agricultural products like lettuce in addition to lowering the consumption of electricity, water, and nutrients for agricultural production.

Abstract Agriculture in a controlled environment, especially in greenhouses contributes to meet the demand of the growing population and stabilize the food supply. The residual amount of pesticides in raw agricultural crops consumed freshly is of paramount importance compared with other crops and the control of these substances is significant to maintain the consumers' health. Therefore, this study aimed to identify challenges and obstacles of healthy vegetable production in greenhouses of Fars province, Iran. This study was a qualitative research in terms of methodology, and an applied one in terms of purpose using grounded theory. The participants consisted of vegetable greenhouse farmers of Fars province and experts and specialists of related institutions (Agricultural Jihad Organization). The samples were selected purposefully employing the snowball technique in which achieved theoretical saturation by interviewing 38 ones. Reviewing and summarizing the interviews, 285 primary codes were extracted identifying in 37 categories. Accordingly, the coding pattern of the main phenomenon (not producing healthy vegetables) obtained including causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, strategies and consequences. The findings revealed that not producing healthy vegetables could lead to human-social, ecological-environmental and economic consequences. Finally, based on the results, some suggestions were recommended. The results can pave the way for policy makers and planners to adopt strategies to lead greenhouse farmers to produce healthy vegetables as well as facilitates the acceptance of such products.

Abstract Physalis alkekengi L. is a valuable medicinal plant from the Solanaceae family that is used in traditional medicine and has numerous medicinal properties. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of humic acid and zinc sulfate on the uptake of key microelements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn) in Physalis alkekengi. The study employed a factorial design with three replications, examining three levels of humic acid (0, 1, 2 g L-1) and three levels of zinc sulfate (0, 0.5, 1 g L-1) applied as foliar sprays. Results demonstrated that the combined application of 2 g L-1 humic acid and 0.5-1 g L-1 zinc sulfate significantly enhanced microelement uptake, with zinc and iron concentrations showing the greatest improvements. These increases were positively correlated with improved plant physiological traits. This study highlights the potential of integrating humic acid and zinc sulfate applications to optimize nutrient uptake and improve the nutritional value of medicinal plants under controlled greenhouse conditions.

Abstract Cold storage has been widely used to prolong postharvest life of horticultural crops. However, some fruit are sensitive to low temperature and develop physiological disorders with extended cold storage period. Salicylic acid (SA) enhanced plant tolerance to low temperature during growth. Moreover, SA treatment has been applied to reduce chilling induced disorders of postharvest horticultural crops. This study investigates the effect of salicylic acid (SA) on chilling injury (CI) and antioxidant responses in Elberta peach fruit during cold storage. The effect of salicylic acid on physiological responses of Elberta peach (Prunus persica L.) fruit was investigated. The treatments used in this experiment are the control, 1 and 2 mM concentrations of salicylic acid. Then, the fruits were stored at 0 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 95% for 25 days.  After 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days, fruits were removed from cold storage, transferred at 20 °C and then analyzed. The experimental design was implemented in the form of a completely randomized design. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, with data analyzed by one-way ANOVA and mean separations by Duncan's new multiple-range test. According to the results of this research, SA at the concentrations of 1and 2 mM effectively reduced chilling injury of Elberta peach fruit during 25 days storage at 0 °C, while SA at 2 mM showed the best effect.  SA treatment also reduced the lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide content of peach fruit for storage. Results of physiological response in peach fruit showed that SA induced the activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase and peroxidase. These results indicate that the elicitation of an antioxidant response in peach fruit by SA may be associated with chilling injury alleviation. Moreover, application of SA maintained the peach quality by decrease of lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide content. So, the present study is the evidence that SA enhance peach fruit tolerance to cold stress and therefore results in improving the fruit quality.