Welcome to the “Current Issues” page of the Australian Journal of Global Horticulture and Agronomy Science (AJGHAS). Here, you will find the latest research articles and studies published in the journal. Our current issue features innovative and impactful research in the fields of horticulture and agronomy science.
Featured Articles in the Latest Issue
- Volume 3(Issue 1) JANUARY- JUNE 2026
Research Articles
Adaptive Biochar–Mycorrhizal Integration for Improving Salinity Tolerance in Greenhouse Tomato Cultivation under Mediterranean Conditions
Vol.3(1); Pages:1-13. Published on April 2026
Abstract
Soil salinity remains one of the major constraints limiting greenhouse tomato productivity across semi-arid Mediterranean regions. This study evaluated the combined effects of biochar amendment and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation on the physiological performance and fruit yield of greenhouse-grown tomato plants exposed to saline irrigation. A randomized factorial experiment was conducted using three salinity treatments and two organic amendment strategies over a complete production cycle. Parameters including chlorophyll concentration, stomatal conductance, sodium accumulation, root colonization rate, fruit firmness, and marketable yield were assessed. Results demonstrated that plants receiving integrated biochar and mycorrhizal treatment exhibited significantly lower sodium uptake and improved water-use efficiency compared with untreated controls. Enhanced microbial activity within the rhizosphere promoted nutrient retention and stabilized soil pH, thereby supporting higher fruit productivity under elevated salinity stress. Yield improvements of more than 22% were observed in treated plots relative to saline controls. The study further identified improved antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced oxidative membrane damage in integrated treatments. Findings indicate that biochar–mycorrhizal integration can serve as a sustainable strategy for mitigating salinity stress in protected horticulture systems while reducing dependence on synthetic soil conditioners. The approach offers practical implications for climate-resilient vegetable production in water limited agricultural regions.
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Evaluation of Drone-Assisted Canopy Monitoring for Precision Nutrient Management in Commercial Apple Orchards
Vol.3(1); Pages:14-27. Published on May 2026
Abstract
The increasing adoption of digital technologies in orchard management has accelerated interest in drone assisted nutrient monitoring systems. This study investigated the effectiveness of multispectral unmanned aerial vehicle imagery for evaluating nitrogen variability and canopy vigor in commercial apple orchards. The experiment was conducted across three intensive orchards using variable fertilizer regimes during the 2025 2026 growing season. Vegetation indices derived from drone imagery, including NDVI and red-edge chlorophyll indicators, were compared with laboratory leaf nutrient analyses and final fruit quality measurements. Results revealed strong correlations between aerial spectral data and tissue nitrogen concentration, allowing rapid identification of nutrient-deficient zones within orchard blocks. Precision nutrient application guided by drone mapping reduced fertilizer use by approximately 18% without negatively affecting fruit size or sugar accumulation. Furthermore, canopy temperature mapping facilitated early detection of stress-related productivity decline in high-density planting systems. Economic evaluation indicated reduced operational costs and improved fertilizer efficiency relative to conventional uniform application methods. The study also demonstrated enhanced environmental sustainability through lower nutrient runoff potential. These findings support the integration of drone-assisted canopy analytics into modern orchard management programs aimed at maximizing productivity while minimizing excessive agrochemical input. Wider implementation could significantly improve decision-making efficiency in commercial fruit production systems.
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Influence of Seaweed-Derived Biostimulants on Flowering Dynamics and Essential Oil Composition in Lavender Cultivation
Vol.3(1); Pages:28-41. Published on May 2026
Abstract
Natural biostimulants derived from marine resources are increasingly recognized for their capacity to improve crop productivity and phytochemical quality. This study examined the influence of seaweed-based biostimulant formulations on flowering characteristics and essential oil composition in lavender cultivated under temperate climatic conditions. Field experiments were conducted using foliar applications of Ascophyllum nodosum extracts at different growth stages. Measurements included flower spike density, plant biomass accumulation, oil yield, and gas chromatography analysis of major aromatic compounds. Treated plants exhibited accelerated flowering initiation and significantly greater floral biomass compared with untreated controls. Essential oil extraction revealed increased concentrations of linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds associated with premium lavender oil quality. Enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and improved nutrient assimilation were also observed following repeated biostimulant application. The study identified notable improvements in drought resilience during mid-season water deficit conditions, suggesting physiological stress mitigation effects linked to seaweed-derived polysaccharides and micronutrients. Statistical analysis confirmed that moderate-dose treatments produced optimal agronomic and biochemical outcomes. These results highlight the potential of marine biostimulants as environmentally sustainable alternatives to synthetic growth regulators in aromatic crop cultivation. Adoption of such inputs may contribute to higher-value essential oil production while supporting ecological intensification strategies within commercial horticultural systems.
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Comparative Assessment of Hydroponic Lettuce Productivity under Full Spectrum LED and Hybrid Solar Illumination Systems
Vol.3(1); Pages:42-53. Published on May 2026
Abstract
Controlled environment agriculture has become increasingly important for ensuring year-round vegetable production under changing climatic conditions. This study compared the productivity and energy efficiency of hydroponically grown lettuce cultivated under two illumination systems: full-spectrum LED lighting and hybrid solar-assisted lighting. Experiments were conducted in climate-controlled chambers over successive growth cycles using nutrient film technique hydroponics. Plant growth parameters, leaf chlorophyll concentration, photosynthetic activity, energy consumption, and final marketable biomass were evaluated. Results showed that the hybrid solar illumination system significantly reduced electrical energy demand while maintaining comparable lettuce yield and visual quality to full-spectrum LED conditions. Lettuce cultivated under hybrid systems demonstrated improved leaf texture and higher antioxidant accumulation, likely due to variable natural light integration. Although LED-only treatments produced slightly faster early-stage growth, overall biomass differences at harvest were not statistically significant. Economic analysis revealed lower operational costs and reduced carbon emissions in the hybrid treatment environment. Furthermore, the study identified favorable root-zone temperature stability associated with integrated solar management systems. The findings suggest that hybrid lighting technologies can provide sustainable alternatives for commercial indoor farming operations seeking to balance crop productivity with energy conservation objectives. Such systems may become increasingly valuable in urban horticultural production frameworks.
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Genotype-Dependent Responses of Quinoa to Deficit Irrigation in Arid Agroecosystems of South America
Vol.3(1); Pages:54-65. Published on June 2026
Abstract
Water scarcity is a critical challenge affecting agricultural sustainability across arid and semi-arid environments. This study evaluated genotype-dependent physiological and agronomic responses of quinoa under varying deficit irrigation regimes in South American dryland agroecosystems. Six quinoa genotypes were cultivated across multiple experimental sites characterized by limited annual rainfall and high evapotranspiration rates. Treatments involved controlled irrigation reductions at vegetative and reproductive growth stages. Measurements included canopy temperature, stomatal conductance, seed protein content, biomass partitioning, and grain yield stability. Significant variation among genotypes was observed regarding drought adaptation mechanisms and water-use efficiency. Certain genotypes maintained stable photosynthetic performance and seed quality despite receiving substantially reduced irrigation volumes. Yield reductions under moderate water deficit were limited in stress-tolerant lines due to deeper root development and improved osmotic adjustment capacity. The study further demonstrated that strategic deficit irrigation enhanced irrigation productivity without severe compromise to nutritional characteristics. Environmental analysis indicated lower soil moisture depletion and improved sustainability indicators in optimized irrigation treatments. These findings reinforce quinoa’s potential as a climate-resilient crop suitable for expansion into water-limited agricultural regions. The identification of superior drought-adaptive genotypes provides valuable direction for future breeding programs targeting sustainable food security under intensifying climate variability.
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