Topic Review
Xishuangbanna Cucumber: Current Status and Future Prospects
The Xishuangbanna (XIS) cucumber is an important botanical variety, accumulating high levels of β-carotene (700 μg/100 g) in the endocarp of mature fruit compared with normal green/white flesh types (25–50 μg/100 g, fresh weight). β-carotene is an essential precursor of provitamin A synthesis required for human health, thus XIS cucumber is an appealing germplasm for vitamin A breeding programs.
  • 621
  • 17 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon
Watermelon (Citrulus lantus) is an important horticultural crop which belongs to the Curcubitaceae family. The nutraceutical potential of watermelon has been illustrated by several researchers, which makes it a better choice of functional food. Watermelon has been used to treat various ailments, such as cardio-vascular diseases, aging related ailments, obesity, diabetes, ulcers, and various types of cancers. The medicinal properties of watermelon are attributed by the presence of important phytochemicals with pharmaceutical values such as lycopene, citrulline, and other polyphenolic compounds. Watermelon acts as vital source of l-citrulline, a neutral-alpha amino acid which is the precursor of l-arginine, an essential amino acid necessary for protein synthesis. Supplementation of l-citrulline and lycopene displayed numerous health benefits in in vitro and in vivo studies. Similarly, the dietary intake of watermelon has proven benefits as functional food in humans for weight management. 
  • 681
  • 18 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Urban Horticulture for Food Security
Sufficient production, consistent food supply, and environmental protection in urban +settings are major global concerns for future sustainable cities. Currently, sustainable food supply is under intense pressure due to exponential population growth, expanding urban dwellings, climate change, and limited natural resources. The recent novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic crisis has impacted sustainable fresh food supply and has disrupted the food supply chain and prices significantly. Under these circumstances, urban horticulture and crop cultivation have emerged as potential ways to expand to new locations through urban green infrastructure. Therefore, the objective of this study is to review the salient features of contemporary urban horticulture, in addition to illustrating traditional and innovative developments occurring in urban environments. Current urban cropping systems, such as home gardening, community gardens, edible landscape, and indoor planting systems, can be enhanced with new techniques, such as vertical gardening, hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, and rooftop gardening. These modern techniques are eco-friendly, energy-saving, and promise food security through steady supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables to urban neighborhoods. There is a need, in this modern era, to integrate information technology tools in urban horticulture, which could help in maintaining consistent food supply during (and after) a pandemic, as well as make agriculture more sustainable.
  • 2.3K
  • 04 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Two BAHD Acetyltransferases in Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton
Volatile benzenoid compounds are found in diverse aromatic bouquets emitted by most moth-pollinated flowers. The night-blooming Jasminum sambac is widely cultivated worldwide in the tropics and subtropics for ornamental and industrial purposes owing to its fragrant flowers. 
  • 329
  • 17 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Transport of Exogenous GABA in Plants
γ- Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a ubiquitous four-carbon non-protein amino acid. In plants, GABA is found in different cell compartments and performs different metabolic functions. As a signalling molecule, GABA participates in the regulation of tolerance to various abiotic stresses.  GABA transporters were identified for the first time in 1999. Arabidopsis can grow efficiently on media in which GABA is the only nitrogen source, which shows that exogenous GABA can be taken up by plants and verifies the existence of GABA transporters. The transport of GABA in plants includes the transport of GABA between membranes, as well as into the cell membrane to various organelles. This process is affected by many transporters, such as aluminium activated malate transporters (ALMTs), GABA transporters (GATs), bidirectional amino acid transporters (BATs) and cationic amino acid transporters (CATs). These transporters are located on the cell membrane or organelle membrane and control the transport of GABA to the intracellular space and various organelles.
  • 280
  • 19 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Therapeutic Gardens for Dementia People
Contact with nature involves the exposure to greenery in general, or it can involve specific activities such as gardening therapy or the use of therapeutic gardens, both of which are among the non-pharmacological treatments recommended for PWD and other kinds of disease [7,8]. Therapeutic gardens can be used more or less actively, for gardening or other activities (e.g., psychotherapy), or passively (for walking or simply sitting in). They can be built inside or outside care facilities. Including therapeutic gardens in care environments has positive effects on agitation, behavior, walking, stress levels, self-esteem, depression, and aggressiveness.
  • 551
  • 26 Oct 2021
Topic Review
The New Green Challenge in Urban Planning
The creation of green areas within urban centers was born as a response to profoundly different problems, such as the demographic increase and the progressive urbanization of landscapes. Moreover, up to date, the genetics of plants has not been considered for urban contexts. Considering the multitude of urban contexts, purposes, and needs for which green spaces in cities are created, it is today very challenging to provide an exhaustive definition of ‘urban area’ and its relative ‘urban vegetation’, since the geographic, climatic, and resource-related opportunities, and constraints, are not equally distributed factors across the world and specific for each context. Furthermore, urban vegetation can also include cultural plant typology with agricultural interest related to food production, such as the horticultural species.
  • 472
  • 08 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Techniques Involved in Plantlet Generation
Ornamentals come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit a wide range of climates, landscapes, and gardening needs. Compared to demand, a shortage of plant materials and diversity force the search for solutions for their constant acquisition and improvement to increase their commercial value, respectively. In vitro cultures are a suitable solution to meet expectations using callus culture, somatic embryogenesis, protoplast culture, and the organogenesis of protocorm-like bodies; many of these techniques are commercially practiced. Factors such as culture media, explants, carbohydrates, plant growth regulators, and light are associated with the success of in vitro propagation. Techniques, especially embryo rescue and somatic hybridization, are widely used to improve ornamentals. The development of synthetic seed allows season-independent seed production and preservation in the long term. Despite the advantages of propagation and the improvement of ornamentals, many barriers still need to be resolved. In contrast to propagation and crop developmental studies, there is also a high scope for molecular studies, especially epigenetic changes caused by plant tissue culture of ornamentals. 
  • 1.6K
  • 07 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Sustainable Viticulture Method
The goal of sustainable viticulture is to determine appropriate varieties and suitable cultivation modes for different ecological types to achieve optimal land and scientific management. The quality and yield of plants should be selected to ensure the sustainable use of ecological resources and the life of vine plants. Sustainable viticulture should aim to produce high-quality vines and wine, respect people and the environment, and ensure long-term economic benefits of vines and wine.
  • 1.3K
  • 25 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Sustainable Management of Diseases in Horticulture
To reduce the impact of chemical pesticides on the environment, there are relevant efforts to enhance the possibility of controlling plant diseases using environmentally friendly biocontrol agents or natural products that show pathogen control capacity. The European Union, FAO, and the United Nations largely promote and finance projects and programs in order to introduce crop protection principles that can attain sustainable agriculture. Preventive measures related to the choice of cultivars, soil fertility, integrated pest management (IPM), and organic farming strategies are still the basis for obtaining satisfactory crop yields and reducing classical pesticide utilisation through the application of commercially available and ecofriendly control agents. Effective pathogen detection at borders to avoid quarantine pathogens is mandatory to reduce the risk of future epidemics. 
  • 452
  • 28 Jun 2022
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