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Sustainability of Horticulture in Europe (Environmental, Social, Economic): Examples from the Pre- and the Post-Harvest Food Chain
Abstract
Sustainability is a concept and a vision for how mankind deals with the resources of planet earth. Although this concept has a basis that is not time-bound, technological opportunities and pressing challenges for achieving a ustainable development change with time. At present, continued IT-development and miniaturisation (micro, nano) offer new opportunities for technological developments. Food concerns (e.g., pesticide residues in food), globalisation, human health problems in industrialised (and increasingly also other) societies and climate change are actual challenges which directly affect the development of horticulture. This paper presents examples of projects that address environmental, economic or social aspects of horticulture for contributing to a sustainable development. For instance, the European project ISAFRUIT works on innovative IT-controlled spraying technology aiming at a reduction of 80% in pesticide use. Another case presented shows the overriding importance of energy prices in greenhouse vegetable production and how it might remain nevertheless competitive. The domestication of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) for medicinal and cosmetic purposes contributes to sustainability by developing an economical alternative for the horticultural sector in marginal Alpine areas. Since 2005, Chalara black root rot has endangered Swiss carrot production, while with a focused total chain approach, and complementary networking, a R&D-based solution for the problem could be developed within a short time. Finally, the study on environmental footprints and ustainability of horticulture in the United Kingdom shows how it can be valued with regard to sustainability as compared to other sectors of agriculture. Finally, the paper provides some conceptual guidance how, with a simple concept, sustainability can be improved while applying various methods for monitoring and quantifying it.
... The sustainability of the produce already has a significant place in the policies of many countries and on top priority in the EU agricultural research framework programme. Some of the good production standards like GLOBALGAP and EUREPGAP are also based on the sustainability [10,11]. ...
... The food production crises, globalisation, human health and climate change are the major challenges affecting development of horticulture sector [10] and have significant influence on its sustainability as well. ...
... Furthermore, there is limitation for application of postharvest chemicals in many countries [148], and more restrictions can be expected in the future. IPM strategies, such as precise pesticide application according to the actual requirements with respect to the environment [10], the use of sterile insect technique and sex-attractant pheromones [11,144], biocontrol agents [149], nematodepest antagonistic cover crops instead of nematocides [150], photo-selective insect exclusion nets for pest control [143,144,151], applying mycorrhiza for improving plant resistance to pests and diseases [132] and promotion of organic farming can help to reduce the pesticides usage and thus a step towards improving sustainability [149,152] of fruit production. ...
The world population is expected to be doubled by the next few decades that will increase the food demand in
future. The fruit production is no doubt has of great importance in agricultural sector due to the economic
importance and as well as their beneficial effect on human health. Adopting the sustainable ways of fruit
production is the need of the day to cope with upcoming future problems. Today’s fruit production approaches
the goals of sustainability in some respects, but it is seriously lacking in others, such as the narrow genetic base
of existing cultivars and the need for soil treatment with broad‐spectrum biocides to maintain production in
continuous monocultures. Demanding task of keeping competitiveness in global market and in same time
enhancing biodiversity, decreasing energy inputs and reducing environmental impact is accompanied with
pressure from consumers for selectivity, quality, safety and transparency of products. Logical question arises
than, if sustainable development of fruit production sector is possible in the future or not. The purpose of this
review is to examine sustainability of today’s fruit production and point out possible future trends. This review
summarizes the use of resistant cultivars, rootstocks, the use of wild fruits, the changes in soil management
fruit nutrition and, light manipulation, pesticides, the use of bioregulators and biostimulants, irrigation,
improvements in machinery, advancements in postharvest technology and socioeconomic aspects as tools for
achieving sustainability of fruit production. If used together, these tools will enable technological change from
a yield‐focused model to a system that will be focused on crop quality and conservation of natural resources, as
well to benefits of producers, workers, consumers and a society as a whole which is the fundamental
characteristic of sustainability. This is not simple task and it will take long time, but with the long‐term
commitment of all role‐players (producers, traders, consumers, government bodies, regulatory agencies) it can
be achieved. The role of science and education has not to be neglected in this process since only innovation
and knowledge driven technologies will enable faster improvement of sustainability of fruit production.
... The sustainability of the produce already has a significant place in the policies of many countries and on top priority in the EU agricultural research framework programme. Some of the good production standards like GLOBALGAP and EUREPGAP are also based on the sustainability [10,11]. ...
... The food production crises, globalization, human health and climate change are the major challenges affecting development of horticulture sector [10] and have significant influence on its sustainability as well. ...
... Furthermore, there is limitation for application of postharvest chemicals in many countries [148], and more restrictions can be expected in the future. IPM strategies, such as precise pesticide application according to the actual requirements with respect to the environment [10], the use of sterile insect technique and sex-attractant pheromones [11,144], biocontrol agents [149], nematodepest antagonistic cover crops instead of nematocides [150], photo-selective insect exclusion nets for pest control [143,144,151], applying mycorrhiza for improving plant resistance to pests and diseases [132] and promotion of organic farming can help to reduce the pesticides usage and thus a step towards improving sustainability [149,152] of fruit production. ...
The world population is expected to be doubled by the next few decades that will increase the food demand in
future. The fruit production is no doubt has of great importance in agricultural sector due to the economic
importance and as well as their beneficial effect on human health. Adopting the sustainable ways of fruit
production is the need of the day to cope with upcoming future problems. Today’s fruit production approaches
the goals of sustainability in some respects, but it is seriously lacking in others, such as the narrow genetic base
of existing cultivars and the need for soil treatment with broad‐spectrum biocides to maintain production in
continuous monocultures. Demanding task of keeping competitiveness in global market and in same time
enhancing biodiversity, decreasing energy inputs and reducing environmental impact is accompanied with
pressure from consumers for selectivity, quality, safety and transparency of products. Logical question arises
than, if sustainable development of fruit production sector is possible in the future or not. The purpose of this
review is to examine sustainability of today’s fruit production and point out possible future trends. This review
summarizes the use of resistant cultivars, rootstocks, the use of wild fruits, the changes in soil management
fruit nutrition and, light manipulation, pesticides, the use of bioregulators and biostimulants, irrigation,
improvements in machinery, advancements in postharvest technology and socioeconomic aspects as tools for
achieving sustainability of fruit production. If used together, these tools will enable technological change from
a yield‐focused model to a system that will be focused on crop quality and conservation of natural resources, as
well to benefits of producers, workers, consumers and a society as a whole which is the fundamental
characteristic of sustainability. This is not simple task and it will take long time, but with the long‐term
commitment of all role‐players (producers, traders, consumers, government bodies, regulatory agencies) it can
be achieved. The role of science and education has not to be neglected in this process since only innovation
and knowledge driven technologies will enable faster improvement of sustainability of fruit production.
... For effective and safe use of plant protection products (PPP), it is necessary that the machines and equipment for their application use a high-quality technological process [6,7]. The nature of the distribution of the spray nozzle on the treated surface, its ability to penetrate, cover, and for the PPP to stay on the surface is crucial for effective processing [8]. ...
The study relates to the use of automated plant protection systems in agriculture. The article presents a proprietary automated mobile platform with an aerosol generator of hot mist. Furthermore, the cause of the loss of a chemical preparation in the spraying of plant protection products on the tree crown was determined in the course of field research. A statistical analysis of the results of experiment was carried out and the effect of droplet size on leaf coating density was determined. The manuscript presents a diagram of the degree of penetration of the working solution as it drops into the crown of the tree, as well as a cross-sectional graph of the permeability of the spray from the projection of the fruit tree crown. The most effective modes of operation of the automated mobile platform for spraying plant protection products with a mist generator aggregate were established. Analysis of the results shows that the device meets the spraying requirements of the procedure for spraying plant protection products. The novelty of this research lies in the optimal modes identified by movement of the developed automated mobile platform and the parameters of plant treatment with protective equipment when using a hot mist generator. The following mode parameters were established: the speed of the automated platform was 3.4 km/h, the distance to the crown of the tree was 1.34 m, and the flow rate of the working fluid was 44.1 L/h. Average fuel consumption was 2.5 L/h. Effective aerosol penetration reduced the amount of working fluid used by up to 50 times.
Introduction
Centranthus kellereri is a Bulgarian endemic plant species, found only in two locations in the world: The Balkans Mountains (Stara Planina), above the town of Vratsa, and The Pirin Mountains, above the town of Bansko, Bulgaria. Being endemic and endangered species precluded any significant research on it. The hypothesis of this study was that the populations of C. kellereri may represent genetically, phytochemically, and morphologically distinct forms and these will differentiate from C. ruber. Furthermore, C. kellereri possibly imperfect embryology may preclude its more widespread distribution under natural conditions.
Results
This study revealed the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, embryology, surface microstructural morphological traits, and genetic differences between the C. kellereri plants from the only two natural populations and compares them to the ones of the related and better-known plant C. ruber. The essential oil (EO) content in aboveground plant parts and in roots was generally low and the EO composition varied significantly as a function of plant part, year of sampling, location, and species. Methylvaleric acid was a major EO constituent in the C. kellereri EO, ranging between 60.2% and 71.7% of the total EO. The EO included monoterpenes, sequiterpenes, long-chain alkanes and fatty acids. Phytochemical analyses of plant tissue revealed the occurrence of 32 compounds that were tentatively identified as 6 simple phenolics, 18 flavonoids, 1 quinone, 1 lipid, 1 alkaloid, 2 diterpenes, and 3 triterpenes. There were differences in detected compounds between the C. kellereri plants at the two locations and between the roots and shoots in both species. The total phenols and flavonoids varied between the two species but were also dissimilar between the plants from the two populations of C. kelleri. Free radical scavenging activity, measured with ABTS and DPPH in aqueous and methanol extracts, had similar values; however, overall, C. kellereri from Vratsa showed the highest antioxidant activity while C. ruber had the lowest activity. Genetic analyses showed a clear differentiation between C. kellereri and C. ruber, and between the two populations of C. kellereri. Embryological studies revealed the peculiarities of the male and female generative spheres of the two species that were defined as being sexually reproducing. The pollen had high viability; however, the low viability of seeds demonstrated possible high sensitivity of C. kellereri to the environmental conditions, perhaps the main factor modifying and restricting the population sizes. The SEM analyses exposed differences in surface microstructural traits between the species (C. kellereri and C. ruber) but also between the two populations of C. kellereri. The observed dissimilarities in genetic makeup, micromorphological characteristics, and phytochemical composition strongly indicate that the two populations can be classified as distinct subspecies or varieties of C. kellereri; var. pirinensis and var. balkanensis. Further research is needed to introduce C. kellereri into culture and develop it as a high-value specialty crop or ornamental in order to conserve C. kellereri natural populations. C. kellereri may be utilized as a source for phytochemicals of interest and as an ornamental plant like C. ruber; however, it may have a greater environmental plasticity and adaptation as evidenced by its current locations.
The highly intensive horticulture practiced throughout Europe today is the result of signal scientific and cultural innovations. The new tools developed in biology, chemistry, physiology, genetics and biotechnology have driven dramatic advances in all areas of the fruit industry. Spurred initially by efforts in the public sector and more recently by input from the private, these innovations have brought about significant changes in field testing and orchard management and greatly enhanced both the expertise of growers and crop quality. Another novelty that has taken root is the awareness that because of its intensive nature the fruit industry must be eco-compatible and, hence, sustainable. The first fruits of this imperative have been the principles embodied in the protocols of integrated and organic production, codes which have led to a more proactive approach to emerging trends throughout the supply chain. Noteworthy too in this march of historical development has been the leadership of the European Union. It has taken, and is taking, a guiding role in informing the ethical and socio-economic principles with which technological innovation can be harnessed to promote and enhance collective expectations and well-being. These efforts are perhaps most visible today in the policy agenda driving research priorities in biodiversity, biotechnology and GMOs, precision technologies, the life sciences, food safety, health and nutraceutics. The EU has championed collaborative, interdisciplinary research through partnerships in both public-private funding and integrated projects aimed at boosting the competitive edge and value-added of the end-users in the global arena. One effect of an increasingly global marketplace is to put the spotlight on the issue of crop quality in relation to health and price.
As fruit growers are faced with a growing need for sustainable development,
it is important to integrate sustainability into their management processes. This
research applies and evaluates a self-analysis tool for entrepreneurs called the
‘sustainability scan’. The scan identifies 23 sustainability themes, divided according
to the 3P-framework (People, Planet and Profit). In the scan, it is assumed that the
management of these themes is at the core of sustainable entrepreneurship. The
‘sustainability scan’ generally relates to larger companies as it includes a range of
themes and steps in the management cycle that are most relevant to large firms. The
empirical research suggests that fewer factors are relevant for small fruit producers.
In order to reduce the bureaucracy as far as possible, it is suggested that only the
most relevant themes and steps in the management cycle be retained. Relevant
themes in the ‘people’ domain are: (i) food safety, (ii) food and health, (iii) terms of
employment, and (iv) working conditions. In the ‘planet’ domain, the following
themes can be retained: (i) water, (ii) waste, (iii) energy, (iv) minerals, (v) nature and
landscape, and (vi) plant protection products. The ‘profit’ component can be limited
to the following themes: (i) external orientation, (ii) value added, and (iii) capacity to
change. Likewise, the number of steps in the management cycle can be reduced to:
(i) objectives (with implied vision based on stakeholder dialogue), (ii) measures, (iii)
monitoring, (iv) performance, and (v) transparency.
Leontopodic acid—a novel full substituted hexaric acid derivative, was isolated from the aerial parts of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) as one of the major compounds. The complex structure of leontopodic acid-2-[(3S)-3-hydroxybutanoate]-3,4,5-tris-[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoate]-D-glucaric acid—was elucidated by mass spectrometry, 1D-and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HPLC monitored transesterification. Leontopodic acid exhibited pronounced antioxidative effects in the Briggs-Rauscher (BR) model [(r.a.c.) m 3.4G0.5] and the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) method (TEAC value of 1.53G0.11). The antioxidative properties of this compound were confirmed by the 3D method, an in vitro assay evaluating DNA protection against oxidative damage (IC 50 : 1.89 mM).