Nazim S. Gruda

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• Professor
• Professor at University of Bonn

Summary In the horticulture industry, the focus has traditionally been on yield. However, consumers' interest worldwide in the quality of horticultural products has increased in the recent past and will become the driving force in the future. Soilless culture systems (SCSs), the most intensive production method in today's horticulture industry, are...

Consumer interest worldwide in the quality of vegetable products has increased in recent years. Product quality is a complex issue. As well as visual characteristics, properties such as texture, the content of minerals and vitamins, flavor and other organoleptic characteristics must be considered. In addition, new knowledge shows that vegetables ar...

Global food production faces great challenges in the future. With a future world population of 9.6 billion by 2050, rising urbanization, decreasing arable land, and weather extremes due to climate change, global agriculture is under pressure. While today over 50 % of the world population live in cities, by 2030, the number will rise to 70 %. In add...

Here we provide a critical and comprehensive review of recent developments in the impact of protected cultivation on climate change and map the factors involved. Some possible ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are suggested and some sustainable adaptation strategies are indicated. We expand our survey of the existing research to the entire pr...

The interaction between agriculture, particularly intensive greenhouse horticulture, and climate, is of dual nature. The resources required to produce crops, such as fossil fuel, affect climate change (CC), which, in turn, will backfire with altered growing conditions in the future. For instance, phenomena like heat waves and severe droughts would...

The beneficial effects of ammonium nitrate and potassium humate on carrots are well-documented. However, their impact on physiological and biochemical mechanisms under varying irrigation conditions still needs to be explored. Here, we investigated the effects of soil-applied ammonium nitrate and foliar-applied potassium humate on the physio-chemica...

The hybrid development of pumpkins, utilizing local genetic material, has recently garnered attention in India. This study aimed to evaluate the combining ability, heterosis, and per se performance of pumpkin hybrids for yield-related and biochemical traits. In the present investigation, eight parental lines of pumpkins were hybridized using a half...

There is a growing interest in cultivating pakchoi under controlled environment agriculture. However, research on establishing the ideal environmental conditions for growing pakchoi in plant factories remains insufficient. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the optimal red-to-blue light ratio for enhancing pakchoi plants’ nutritional quality...

Understanding the abiotic stress tolerance of tomatoes is crucialfor ensuring sustainable yields. In this study, two distinct geno-types, ‘EC-317-6-1’ (drought-tolerant) and ‘Kashi Amrit’ (suscep-tible), identified based on physicochemical criteria in a priorstudy, were selected to characterize the genetic polymorphismin response to drought stress....

In the era of industrialization, chromium (Cr) as a metal poses a substantial threat to the ecosystem. Selenium (Se) is essential for minimizing heavy metal stress in crops and effectively reducing their accumulation in edible plant parts. This research work aimed to evaluate the synergistic effect of compost and Se for alleviation of Cr stress in...

Drought stress hinders plant growth by reducing water availability, leading to stunted plants growth, lower photosynthesis rates, and decreased yields. This research explored the impact of the combination of Spirulina and sulfate-reducing bacteria on the growth and resilience of lettuce plants under three drought levels (80%, 60%, and 40%). Overall...

Cadmium (Cd) contamination is a critical environmental issue, adversely affecting plant growth and agricultural productivity. While numerous studies have explored the role of various bacteria in mitigating heavy metal toxicity, the specific impacts of sulfate-reducing bacteria ( Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, SRB) and the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Ar...

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), an evergreen shrub belonging to the Myrtaceae family, is widely valued for its applications in the cosmetic, hygienic, and medicinal industries. This plant produces berries in two colors—white and black—with black berries receiving increasing attention due to their superior antioxidant properties. This study investigate...

Globally, one in every four individuals faces a deficiency in essential micronutrients. Harvested early from various vegetables, grains, and herbs, microgreens have rich nutritional profiles that can mitigate nutrient deficiencies. Here, we analyzed six microgreens’ nutritional profiles for broccoli, black radish, red beet, pea, sunflower, and bean...

Despite progress in reducing global hunger, micronutrient deficiencies and imbalanced diets linked to urbanization remain pressing health threats. Protected cultivation offers a promising avenue for sustainable intensification of vegetable production. Additionally, indoor and vertical farming have recently emerged as cutting‐edge strategies, partic...

Soilless cultivation systems are sustainable innovations in modern agriculture, promoting high efficiency per unit area, supporting food sustainability, and addressing the growing demand for high-quality produce with minimal environmental impact. This study evaluates the effects of fulvic acid, amino acid, and vermicompost biostimulants on the grow...

Over the past year, the International Journal of Vegetable Science (IJVS) has experienced significant growth, both in submission volume and scientific impact. Submissions have increased by 58.1% compared to the previous year, and the journal’s CiteScore has risen by 182% since 2019. A key milestone in 2024 was the journal’s acceptance into the Web...

With its controlled environment, protected cultivation is advantageous and effective for breeding programs. This distinct setting also guarantees that fresh vegetables meet high quality standards. The controlled environment allows for precise monitoring and tuning of breeding efforts, a critical factor in continuously improving the quality of fresh...

Vegetable production worldwide is heavily influenced by climate change. We aimed to determine the responses of some local tomato landraces from Mediterranean countries pre-selected as drought tolerant according to previous screening tests at an early stage. Three irrigation approaches were applied: Full irrigation (Ir-Full), Deficit 1 (Ir-Def1), an...

Drought is the primary and most pervasive environmental stress that plants face, and it has the potential to cause significant harm to crops. Selenium (Se) possesses various advantageous characteristics that comprise promoting plant growth, augmenting crop resistance to oxidative stress, and retarding senescence. Here, we investigated the combined...

The selection and development of adaptable cultivars for specific conditions is the first step in implementing cultivation practices to ensure stable, high-quality vegetables with superior nutritional value. Traditional breeding methods are based on strategies such as selective breeding, mass selection, pure-line selection, backcross, and hybrid br...

Call for Papers in Special Issue of Elsevier Journal 'Plant Stress' Special Issue on Biostimulants for Sustainable Agriculture: Enhancing Plant Tolerance to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses. **The publication fee for this special issue will be waived by 30%.** 🔍 Check out the scope here: https://lnkd.in/dAHX6HTr

Sprouts, microgreens, and baby leaves are plant-based functional foods that have recently gained popularity for use in human diets as novel foods due to their high nutraceutical value. Microgreens, harvested shortly after germination with one true leaf, include vitamins and minerals with potential health benefits. Achieving high yields, robust grow...

Controlled environment agriculture is a promising solution to address climate change and resource limitations. Light, the primary energy source driving photosynthesis and regulating plant growth, is critical in optimizing produce quality. However, the impact of specific light spectra during night interruption on improving phytochemical content and...

Aeroponics, a soilless cultivation system where plants grow suspended in air and nutrient solution is sprayed directly onto the root system, can potentially optimize clonal stem cutting propagation. Here, we evaluated the effects of water spray intervals and the Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatment on adventitious root development and the quality...

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a popular vegetable of the Allium genus cultivated in Albania. The Korça region is mainly known for its high-quality garlic bulbs. In this study, we examined two local garlic landraces, 'Korça' and 'Puka,' and an introduced cultivar referred to by farmers as 'Dutch garlic' or simply 'Dutch.' These genotypes' morphologi...

Horticulture in controlled environments has been increasingly used to tackle limitations on crop production. As a crucial environmental factor, light regulate plant growth and metabolism. In the present study, basil plants were subjected to different light durations and intensities considering constant daily light integral (DLI). The lighting envir...

The extreme heat and water scarcity of the desert southwest in the United States of America present significant challenges for growing food crops. However, controlled-environment agriculture offers a promising solution for plant production in these harsh conditions. Glasshouses and plant factories represent advanced but energy-intensive production...

The application of biostimulants in vegetable cultivation has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the nutritional quality of crops, particularly in controlled environment agriculture and soilless culture systems. In this study, we employed a rigorous methodology, applying various biostimulants amino acids, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteri...

The application of biostimulants in vegetable cultivation has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the nutritional quality of crops, particularly in controlled environment agriculture and soilless culture systems. In this study, we employed a rigorous methodology, applying various biostimulants amino acids, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteri...

Cascade cropping systems (CCS) utilize leachate from a primary crop to grow secondary crops and enhance the efficient use of water and fertilizers in areas with scarce water resources. A preliminary study investigated the effect of melatonin in a cascade cropping system to potentially improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. This study aimed to...

Backround The utilization of high-quality water in agriculture is increasingly constrained by climate change, affecting availability, quality, and distribution due to altered precipitation patterns, increased evaporation, extreme weather events, and rising salinity levels. Salinity significantly challenges salt-sensitive vegetables like lettuce, pa...

Red oregano (Origanum vulgare L. subsp. vulgare) is native to the mountainous slopes of Albania, thriving at altitudes ranging from 400 to 1300 m above sea level. The aerial components of oregano have been found to address a spectrum of health concerns. However, this subspecies presents intriguing characteristics that require comprehensive explorat...

Gamma radiation has been suggested to have post-effects on emerging plants when applied to the seeds. In the present study, we aimed to induce alterations in photosynthetic functionality and subsequent modifications in secondary metabolites of summer savory following seed priming with gamma radiation. Savory seeds were treated with 0, 50, 100, 200,...

Salinity, a significant abiotic stressor, imperils vegetable growth, yield, and quality. Moreover, elevated salinity levels, driven by climate change, jeopardize vegetable nutritional quality. In particular, protected cultivation systems, responsible for 60% of the global vegetable industry’s economic value, encounter notable challenges in managing...

Nowadays, sustainable and resilient cultivation techniques have significantly increased in vegetable cultivation. Thus, there is a growing demand for high-quality certified planting materials suitable for these new cultivation methods. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of recent sustainable practices in vegetable see...

The use of saline water under drought conditions is critical for sustainable agricultural development in arid regions. Biochar is used as a soil amendment to enhance soil properties such as water-holding capacity and the source of nutrition elements of plants. Thus, the research was carried out to assess the impact of biochar treatment on the morph...

Plastic-greenhouse soils, spanning approximately 4.8 million hectares worldwide, are predominantly cultivated by smallholder farmers for horticultural production. These soils contribute greatly to the production of vegetables, herbs, and fruits, and thus to a healthy diet and high farmers' income. Nevertheless, the current challenge is a comprehens...

The production of ornamental flowers in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) has gained significant attention due to its potential for efficient cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of light quality (red, blue, red+blue, and white) after priming bulbs with Bacillus subtilis (Bs) on lily plant growth, phenology, yield, ornamen...

The protected area for horticulture production in China is approx. Four millionha, accounting for 80% globally. However, the history of protected horticultureproduction in China is not well known to the world audience. China’s protectedhorticulture production commenced with the muskmelon cultivation using hot springwater in Qin Dynasty (221 BCE-207...

For decades, peat has been the main component of horticultural growing media. However, peat extraction and use are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. Peat extraction also contributes to changes in natural habitats. Therefore, initiatives to halt peat extraction and substitute a significant proportion of peat with alternative substrates have...

BACKGROUND Previous research has established that using high‐quality planting material during the early phase of vegetable production significantly impacts success and efficiency, leading to improved crop performance, faster time to harvest and better profitability. In the present study, we conducted a global analysis of vegetable seedlings and tra...

The agricultural sector faces challenges due to climate change and the growing global population. Alkaline stress could adversely impact plant growth and crop production. This stressor diminishes water quality essential for crop cultivation, consequently impairing plant growth and overall productivity. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein...

The link below provides 50 days of free access to the article. Anyone clicking on this link before March 10, 2024, will be taken directly to the article's final version on ScienceDirect. https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1iSuL3HVLKwI03

Soilless Culture Systems (SCSs) have been in use commercially for the last 40 years, and now many variations of these systems are available. The primary benefit of SCSs is that they save water and fertilizers, and the surplus water can be reused by the grower or in a cascade system in other crops. This system helps to promote the sustainable use of...

In soilless cultivation, plants are grown with nutrient solutions prepared with mineral nutrients. Beneficial microorganisms are very important in plant nutrition. However, they are not present in soilless culture systems. In this study we investigated the impact of introducing Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) as an alternative to tradit...

The agricultural sector faces challenges due to climate change and the growing global population. Alkaline stress could adversely impact plant growth and crop production. This stressor diminishes water quality essential for crop cultivation, consequently impairing plant growth and overall productivity. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein...

Please access the complete version through the provided link: https://www.mdpi.com/books/book/8470-soilless-culture-growing-media-and-horticultural-plants

During the seasons with limited light intensity, reductions in growth, yield, and quality are challenging for commercial cut rose production in greenhouses. Using artificial supplemental light is recommended for maintaining commercial production in regions with limited light intensity. Nowadays, replacing traditional lighting sources with LEDs attr...

In newly reclaimed sandy lands, plants face substantial environmental challenges, affecting their productivity, yield, and quality. Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a plant growth regulator physiologically involved in plant responses to abiotic stresses. As agricultural activities expand in desert regions, applications of GA3 could help address adverse pl...

Hydroponics is a contemporary agricultural system providing precise control over growing conditions, potentially enhancing productivity. Biofertilizers are environmentally friendly, next-generation fertilizers that augment product yield and quality in hydroponic cultivation. In this study, we investigated the effect of three bio-fertilizers in a hy...

Light plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, which is an essential process for plantlets produced during in vitro tissue culture practices and ex vitro acclimatization. LED lights are an appropriate technology for in vitro lighting but their effect on propagation and photosynthesis under in vitro condition is not well understood. This study aimed...

A soilless culture system (SCS) is a technique used for plant production that has recently become increasingly popular [...]

Climate change scenarios forecast both increase in atmospheric CO 2 concentration ([CO 2 ]) and temperature. Elevated [CO 2 ] (e[CO 2 ]) and soil temperature (eST) significantly increased plant growth and nitrogen (N) uptake. However, studies on the combined effect of these factors on soil N transformation and microbial community are scarce in agri...

Seed potato production often relies on mineral fertilizers. However, biofertilizers offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective means to enhance nutrient uptake, plant growth, yields, and quality while bolstering stress resilience. Two cultivars (‘Spunta’ and ‘Russet’), two in vitro materials as microtubers and plantlets, and four bio-fertilizers were us...

This research aimed to assess the influence of reusing coir-based substrates on growth, nutrient content, and phytonutrients accumulation in lettuce. The experiment included a new coir pith and four coir-based mixes (1) coir, biochar, and perlite; (2) coir, compost, and perlite; (3) coir, biochar, and pine bark; and (4) coir, compost, and pine bark...

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants. Light intensity is an indispensable factor for plants due to its effect on photosynthesis and physiological processes. Here, we investigated the impact of light intensities and harvesting times on the photosynthesis of green and purple basil. The experiment invo...

The impact of exogenous sulfate components on the nutritional quality of vegetables has been well documented. In this study, we examined the effects of adding K2SO4 to broccoli on its nutritional quality, active components, and the genes involved in glucosinolate synthesis. Different concentrations of exogenous K2SO4 of 25, 75, and 150 g·m⁻² were a...

The urgent need to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has prompted the exploration of various strategies, including the adaptation of carbon farming practices, to achieve sustainability in agricultural systems. In this research, we assess the viability of carbon farming practices for organic vegetable growing in Europe. The study explores the...

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the important medicinal and aromatic plants. Light intensity is an indispensable factor for plants due to its effect on photosynthesis and physiological processes. Here, we investigated the impact of light intensities and harvesting times on the photosynthesis of green and purple basil. The experiment involved...

The use of organic fertilizers in soilless pot plant production has sharply increased in recent years. However, there is still a lack of methods for characterizing the N release from organic fertilizers. This bears the risk of an inadequate nutrient supply and, thus, a waste of resources. Therefore, the current research analyzed fourteen commercial...

This study investigated the effects of vermicompost fertilization with complementary microbial nutrition on the plant growth, yield, and fruit quality of the organically grown strawberry “Monterey” cultivar. Along with vermicompost, five different microbial fertilizers containing plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhiza...

Among the 70–80 species of the genus Lycium (family Solanaceae) disjunctly distributed around the world, only three are frequently distributed in different locations in Egypt. Due to the morphological similarities between these three species, there is a need for alternative tools to distinguish them. Thus, the objective of this study was to revise...

Juglans regia L. is a crucial species as a forest tree and for its nutritional and medicinal values. It is also included in the list of endangered species in Albania and thus, there is a need to find methodologies to ensure its rapid regeneration and ex situ conservation. This research, investigated the regeneration of plantlets from synthetic seed...

Stevia rebaudiana plants produce sweet tasting compounds, steviosides, which are 300 times sweeter as sugar and can be used as natural sweeteners. Moreover, stevia leaves contain high amount of antioxidants. The use of plant compounds as components of functional nutrition and nutraceuticals is extremely relevant today. The purpose of this study was...

Background The mineral nutrient concentrations in plants are usually decreased under elevated CO 2 concentration ([CO 2 ]), while warm root‐zone temperature (RZT) can improve plant growth and the absorption of mineral nutrients in plants. Aims The effects of RZT on the growth and mineral nutrient concentrations in cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) pl...

Healing and acclimatization are critical in vegetable grafting under controlled environments. Here, we investigated the impacts of LED light qualities on the morphological traits and photosynthetic performance of grafted tomato seedlings. Seeds of the tomatoes “DRW 7806 F1” and “Maxifort” (Solanum lycopersicum × Solanum habrochaites) used as scion...

Hydroponic-producing selenium (Se)-biofortified vegetables in a greenhouse is a convenient and effective way to provide Se-enriched food and overcome hidden hunger. CO2 fertilization is commonly implemented to increase vegetable yield in greenhouse production. However, this application accompanies decreased mineral concentrations in the edible part...

Plant nutrition through mineral fertilizers is commonly used in soilless culture systems. Our study aims to replace intensive mineral fertilizers with bio-fertilizers, at least partially. We supplemented 50% of the mineral fertilizers with Chlorella vulgaris microalgae, a mix of beneficial bacteria and mycorrhiza. In addition, we investigated how t...

Soilless cultivation is extensively used in the greenhouse industry. Recently, hydroponic cultivation of capia pepper has become popular among growers. Capia pepper is harvested at the red maturity stage, and intensive mineral fertilizers are usually used for soilless cultivation. This study was performed in a greenhouse during spring under Mediter...

The purpose of this study was to develop substrates with little or no peat by combining coir-based growing media with municipal compost and/or acacia biochar, two locally produced renewable resources, and to assess their effects on lettuce seedling emergence and growth, as well as their content in photosynthetic pigments and total phenols. Two expe...

China, the largest country in vegetable supply, faces a transition to sustainable vegetable production to counteract resource waste and environmental pollution. However, there are knowledge gaps on the main constraints and how to achieve sustainable vegetable supply. Herein, we integrated the vegetable production and supply data in China, compared...

Abstract Hydroponics is one of the systems in agriculture which reinforce productivity by controlling environmental and growing conditions. In this study, we evaluated the effect of three bio-fertilizers, namely bacteria, micro-algae, and mycorrhiza, on basil leaf yield and quality (Ocimum basilicum L.) in a floating culture system. Soil has rich a...

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is among the most popular ornamental plants, propagated mainly through stem cuttings. There is a lack of information regarding the impact of the lighting environment on the successful production of cuttings and underlying mechanisms. The light spectrum affects plant morphology, growth, and photosynthesis. In...

Albania is a West Balkan country with a high diversity of ecosystems, habitats and plant, animal and aquatic species. It is part of many international consortia and has signed the "Convention on Biodiversity" and the "Nagoya Protocol" and has established important documents such as the "National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan" for 2012-2020...

The soilless culture system is a promising, intensive, and sustainable approach with various advantages for plant production. The Special Issue “Soilless Culture, Growing Media, and Horticultural Plants” includes 22 original papers and 1 review written by 84 authors from 15 countries. The purpose of this Special Issue was to publish high-quality re...

Water scarcity is a prevailing problem that constrains crop production in many regions worldwide. The application of deficit irrigation strategy is a reliable approach, which may contribute to some degree to overcome the problem of global water scarcity. A two-year study was conducted to assess the effects of timing and severity of the deficit irri...

Global human health and sustainable production are threatened by an imbalance and deficiency of plant-based diet vegetable consumption across countries worldwide. Here, we analyzed the data on vegetable consumption, production, trade and eating habits. In addition, we conducted the predictions of vegetable supply in 2030, 2050, and when reached a p...