This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on optimising rootstock health.
The first chapter considers recent advances in irrigation techniques used in sustainable vegetable cultivation and reviews the performance and efficiency of these systems.
The second chapter details the need to optimise precision in orchard irrigation management, focussing on matching water supply to plant demand as a means of achieving this.
The third chapter assesses irrigation management systems for tomato production and how these can be optimised alongside nutrient management to ensure the production of safe and nutritious tomatoes.
The fourth chapter summarises the common types of irrigation systems found in soilless culture production, as well as the emergence of new systems, including plant-based sensing and monitoring systems.
The fifth chapter highlights the need for more sustainable water use in ornamental production systems and the methods which can be used to achieve this, such as reducing runoff volume.
The final chapter considers recent advances in irrigation management in greenhouse cultivation, focussing on water balance, crop evapotranspiration techniques and irrigation scheduling.
Chapter 1 - Advances in irrigation techniques in vegetable cultivation: Andre da Silva and Timothy Coolong, University of Georgia, USA; 1 Introduction 2 Irrigation systems 3 Irrigation system performance 4 Irrigation scheduling 5 Conclusions 6 Where to look for further information 7 References Chapter 2 - Optimizing precision in orchard irrigation and nutrient management: Denise Neilsen and Gerry Neilsen, Summerland Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada; 1 Introduction 2 Optimizing precision in orchard irrigation management 3 Optimizing precision in orchard nutrient management 4 Fertigation 5 Fertigation methods 6 Nutrient requirements 7 Foliar application 8 Where to look for further information 9 References Chapter 3 - Improving water and nutrient management in tomato cultivation: E. Simonne, M. Ozores-Hampton, A. Simonne and A. Gazula, University of Florida, USA; 1 Introduction 2 Overview of tomato production systems 3 Environmental regulations affecting tomato production in the United States 4 Changing approaches to water and nutrient management: from optimizing production to optimizing input efficiency 5 Irrigation management systems for tomato production 6 Optimizing irrigation volumes and scheduling 7 Fertilization in tomato production: introduction and soil sampling 8 Nutrient sources for tomato production 9 Optimizing nitrogen (N) rates 10 Fertilizer recommendations, nutrient uptake and leaching 11 Implications of water and fertilizer use for food safety 12 Teaching water and nutrient management to tomato producers 13 Future trends and conclusion 14 Where to look for further information 15 References Chapter 4 - Advances in irrigation/fertigation techniques in greenhouse soilless culture systems (SCS): Georgios Nikolaou and Damianos Neocleous, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Cyprus; and Evangelini Kitta and Nikolaos Katsoulas, University of Thessaly, Greece; 1 Introduction 2 Types of irrigation and fertigation system in SCS 3 Factors affecting irrigation decisions 4 Common irrigation management systems 5 Plant-based sensing and monitoring systems 6 Case study: effects of greenhouse microclimate on irrigation scheduling and the use of contact plant-sensing technology in SCS 7 The use of internet of things (IoT) technologies 8 Conclusion and future trends 9 Where to look for further information 10 Acknowledgment 11 References Chapter 5 - Advances in irrigation practices and technology in ornamental cultivation: John D. Lea-Cox, University of Maryland, USA; 1 Introduction 2 Ornamental production systems and water use 3 Key challenges for improving irrigation efficiency: systems design and maintenance 4 Sensor-based technologies for irrigation scheduling 5 Irrigation data management and decision support systems 6 Developing a universal irrigation protocol: a case study 7 Future trends 8 Where to look for further information 9 References Chapter 6 - Advances in irrigation management in greenhouse cultivation: Stefania De Pascale, University of Naples Federico II, Italy; Luca Incrocci, University of Pisa, Italy; Daniele Massa, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Italy; Youssef Rouphael, University of Naples Federico II, Italy; and Alberto Pardossi, University of Pisa, Italy; 1 Introduction 2 Irrigation systems 3 Irrigation management strategies 4 Irrigation scheduling 5 Coupling crop management practices with IE 6 Future trends and conclusion 7 References
Stefania De Pascale is Professor of Horticulture at the University of Naples Federico II. She is Chair of the ISHS Division Protected Cultivation and Soilless Culture and is on the editorial boards of a number of journals. Professor De Pascale is a leading authority on nutrient and water management of horticultural and ornamental crops. Youssef Rouphael is an Associate Professor at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy. He is Editor-in-Chief of Agronomy MDPI and has been a guest editor on biostimulants in several International Journals (Scientia Horticulturae, Frontiers in Plant Science and Agronomy MDPI). He is a member of the scientific committee of Biostimulant.com. He is internationally-known for his research in horticultural science.
