Greenhouse Vegetables Research Articles

Characteristics, prediction, and risk assessment of phthalates, organophosphate esters, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vegetables from plastic greenhouses of Northeast China.

We investigated the contaminations of phthalates (PAEs), organophosphate esters (OPEs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the vegetables and their corresponding soils from 26 plastic greenhouses of Northeast China. PAEs, OPEs, and PAHs in the edible portion of vegetables were in the range of 2620-21800, 115-852, and 32.4-602 ng/g, while the levels of these chemicals in the greenhouse soils were 5770-18800, 196-935, and 109-1600 ng/g, respectively. PAEs are the main organic pollutants in greenhouses, which were 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than that of OPEs and PAHs. Leafy vegetables showed the highest contamination level, which is ∼1-3 times that of root and fruit vegetables. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of chemicals are significantly negatively correlated with their physicochemical properties, e.g., octanol-water partition coefficient and organic carbon partition coefficient. The partition-limited model can accurately predict the contamination level of greenhouse vegetables to a certain extent based on the chemical's concentration in the corresponding soil. We assessed the hazard quotients of target compounds through daily intake of greenhouse vegetables, and found a low risk for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. This research emphasized the potential dietary exposure risks caused by greenhouse leafy vegetables, and proposed a method for evaluating the risk of greenhouse vegetables through soil monitoring.

Improving the Efficacy against Cucumber Root-knot Nematode and Alleviating the Phytotoxicity of Fluopyram by Optimizing the Application Method

The root-knot nematode disease (RKN) caused by Meloidogyne incognita is a devastating threat to the production of crops, especially greenhouse vegetables. Fluopyram, a new nematicide, has been widely used by root drenching one-by-one plants for the management of RKN. However, as a common non-fumigation nematicide, its distribution in soil was often the key limiting factor that determined the efficacy and efficiency. To optimize the utilization of fluopyram against RKN, the control efficacy of application methods including blending-of-soil, root-irrigation, drip-irrigation, and furrow-irrigation and the correlation between nematicide distribution and efficacy were studied. The toxicities of fluopyram and abamectin to nematodes collected from different sources and backgrounds exhibited limited differences from crop and region. Compared to the control, all nematicide treatments reduced root galling by M. incognita in cucumber and increased the yield of cucumber. Blending-of-soil treatment and root-irrigation treatment were more beneficial for increasing the distribution area of nematicides in soil, then promoting the control efficacy of nematicides against RKN and improving cucumber production. This work showed that the application of fluopyram by blending-of-soil has the same efficacy as by root-irrigation in controlling RKN in cucumber production, moreover is more efficient and can be an alternative option.

Nutrient Use Efficiency and Cucumber Productivity as a Function of the Nitrogen Fertilization Rate and the Wood Fiber Content in Growing Media.

A peat substrate is made from peat from drained peatlands, which is a limited resource. A realistic estimate is that 50% of the world's wetlands have been lost. Peat is used in horticulture, especially for the cultivation of vegetables in greenhouses. The consequences of peatland exploitation are an increase in the greenhouse effect and a decrease in carbon stocks. Wood fiber can be used as an alternative to peat. The chemical properties of growing media interact and change continuously due to the small volume of growing media, which is limited by the growing container. This study aims to gain new knowledge on the impact of nutrient changes in the microbial degradation of carbon compounds in wood fiber and mixtures with a peat substrate on the content and uptake of nutrients required by plants. The cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) variety 'Dirigent H' developed in the Netherlands was cultivated in growing media of a peat substrate and wood fiber: (1) peat substrate (PS); (2) wood fiber (WF); (3) wood fiber and peat substrate 50/50 v/v (WF/PS 50/50); (4) wood fiber and peat substrate 25/75 v/v (WF/PS 25/75). The rates of fertilization were the following: (1) conventional fertilization (CF); (2) 13 g N per plant (N13); (3) 23 g N per plant (N23); (4) 30 g N per plant (N30). The experiment was carried out with three replications. As the amount of wood fiber increased, the humidity and pH of the growing media increased. The fertilization of the cucumbers with different quantities of nitrogen influenced the nutrient uptake. The plants grown in the 50/50 and 25/75 growing media had the best Cu uptake when fertilized with N23. When the plants grown in the wood fiber media and the 50/50 media were fertilized with N13, N23, and N30, the Mn content in the growing media at the end of the growing season was significantly lower than the Mn content in the media with conventional fertilization. Thus, nitrogen improved the uptake of Mn by the plants grown not only in the wood fiber, but also in the combinations with a peat substrate. Growing plants in wood fiber and fertilizing them with N13 can result in the optimum uptake of micronutrients. The number and biomass of cucumber fruits per plant were influenced by the amount of wood fiber in the growing media and the application of nitrogen fertilizer. The highest number of fruits and biomass of fruits per plant obtained were significantly higher when the cucumbers were grown in WF/PS 50/50 growing media with additional N13 fertilization.

Analysis of the dynamics of development of greenhouse vegetables in Russia during the pre-sanctions and sanctions periods

This article examines the dynamics of acreage, the main elements of production costs, labor costs per unit of production, output and profitability of products as key indicators of the economic development of greenhouse vegetables. The analysis of causal relationships of changes and interpretation of indicators of economic development of the sub-sector is carried out. The main challenges and prospects for the development of greenhouse vegetables industry have been studied, including the dependence of the industry on foreign supplies of components and seeds, the need to expand the range of products and strengthen the export potential of the industry. The results of the study allowed us to conclude that the vegetable growing of greenhouses (horticulture) in Russia has made a significant leap in its development, over the period 2006–2022 significantly increased production volumes and, in general, judging by key economic indicators of development, overcomes sanctions pressure, expressed primarily in the rise in the cost of production and sales logistics.

Effects of Vegetable Planting Ages on Community Structure of Ammonia-oxidizing Archaea and Ammonia-oxidizing Bacteria in Greenhouse Vegetable Fields

The ammonia oxidation process driven by microorganisms is a dominant source for nitrous oxide （N2O） emissions. Here, we examined the influence of greenhouse vegetable planting ages on soil ammonia-oxidizing archaea （AOA） and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB）, which is of great significance for assessing the soil quality status and greenhouse gas transformations. A field study was conducted at different times （1, 5, 10, and 20 a） in greenhouse vegetable soils of Gaoyi, Hebei Province. Chemical analysis and Illumina NovaSeq high-throughput sequencing were used to analyze the soil physicochemical properties and community structures and diversity of AOA and AOB. The variation in AOA and AOB communities and the driving factors in greenhouse soils at different ages were also investigated. The results showed that the contents of total nitrogen, organic matter, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium first increased and then decreased with the prolongation of growth. The contents of nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, and electrical conductivity first decreased and then increased with the prolongation of growth. The pH value of soils decreased with the prolongation of growth. The abundance and diversity index of AOA and AOB first decreased and then increased with the prolongation of growth. Nitrososphaeria, unclassified Thaumarchaeota, and Candidatus Nitrosocaldus were the dominant species of AOA, while Betaproteobacteria and Nitrosospira were the dominant species of AOB. The composition of the soil AOA community varied greatly compared to that of AOB with the prolongation of growth. Correlation analysis showed that the changes in soil nutrient factors had a significant correlation with AOA and AOB communities. Redundancy analysis indicated that ammonium nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen were key factors of AOA communities, while electrical conductivity, available potassium, and nitrate nitrogen were key factors for AOB. In summary, long-term planting of greenhouse vegetables significantly affected the abundance and composition of soil AOA and AOB communities. Our results provide a theoretical basis for further studies on the greenhouse gas transformation and microbial mechanisms of the nitrogen cycle in greenhouse soils.

The repeatability of reusing peat as horticultural substrate and the role of fertigation for optimal reuse

Direct reuse of horticultural substrates may facilitate the transition from linear to circular greenhouse cultivation. Characteristics of spent growing media from strawberry cultivation were compared to substrates from ornamentals, mushrooms, microgreens, and greenhouse vegetables. Direct reuse of spent peat as a stand-alone material was tested in three trials under commercial conditions. In the first trial strawberry cultivation on reused growing media with included crop residues resulted in similar yield as for virgin blends in a spring cultivation. In the second trial repeated reuse of spent growing media was tested in an autumn cultivation, either with direct reuse or with reuse after shredding and steam treatment for sanitation. Nutrient retention did not increase further during repeated reuse. Yield was similar to virgin peat for the direct reuse and steam sanitation treatments. Under reuse deterioration in terms of physical properties was not observed. Biological stability remained high for all media during reuse. Reusing peat for strawberry 3 times did not lead to any problems for yield or substrate. In the third trial the effects of fertigation regimes with reduced P and K input on nutrient retention during direct reuse in a spring cultivation were limited. In contrast, significantly lower N, P, K, Mg and Ca contents in the substrate were measured when fertigation was replaced by water in the last two weeks of the cultivation. Cation exchange capacity in the spent peat in all trials remained high during reuse. Ca was the dominant cation on the exchange complex.

Hyperspectral imaging for pest symptom detection in bell pepper

BackgroundThe automation of pest monitoring is highly important for enhancing integrated pest management in practice. In this context, advanced technologies are becoming increasingly explored. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a technique that has been used frequently in recent years in the context of natural science, and the successful detection of several fungal diseases and some pests has been reported. Various automated measures and image analysis methods offer great potential for enhancing monitoring in practice.ResultsIn this study, the use of hyperspectral imaging over a wide spectrum from 400 to 2500 nm is investigated for noninvasive identification and the distinction of healthy plants and plants infested with Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) on bell peppers. Pest infestations were carried out in netted areas, and images of single plants and dissected leaves were used to train the decision algorithm. Additionally, a specially modified spraying robot was converted into an autonomous platform used to carry the hyperspectral imaging system to take images under greenhouse conditions. The algorithm was developed via the XGBoost framework with gradient-boosted trees. Signals from specific wavelengths were found to be associated with the damage patterns of different insects. Under confined conditions, M. persicae and F. occidentalis infestations were distinguished from each other and from the uninfested control for single leaves. Differentiation was still possible when small whole plants were used. However, application under greenhouse conditions did not result in a good fit compared to the results of manual monitoring.ConclusionHyperspectral images can be used to distinguish sucking pests on bell peppers on the basis of single leaves and intact potted bell pepper plants under controlled conditions. Wavelength reduction methods offer options for multispectral camera usage in high-grown vegetable greenhouses. The application of automated platforms similar to the one tested in this study could be possible, but for successful pest detection under greenhouse conditions, algorithms should be further developed fully considering real-world conditions.

Sustainable and Low-Input Techniques in Mediterranean Greenhouse Vegetable Production

In the modern agricultural landscape, numerous challenges, such as climate change, diminishing arable lands, and the reduction of water resources, represent significant threats. The Mediterranean greenhouse farming model relies on low-input strategies to maximize both yield and quality. Its protected horticulture is essential for the year-round cultivation of high-value crops, ensuring efficient and sustainable production. In the realm of future agricultural strategies, leveraging internet-based approaches emerges as a pivotal factor for real-time and remote control of various agricultural parameters crucial for crop growth and development. This approach has the potential to significantly optimize agronomic inputs, thereby enhancing the efficiency of targeted vegetable production. The aim of the present review is to underscore the challenges related to the intensive greenhouse production systems emphasizing various strategies leading to low-input greenhouse vegetable production. The goal is to promote more sustainable and resource-efficient approaches in the cultivation of greenhouse vegetables. This review highlights several key strategies for optimizing the greenhouse environment, including efficient water management through conservation tillage, drainage water reuse, and selecting the most appropriate irrigation systems and timing. Additionally, light modulation and temperature control—using solar energy for heating and pad-and-fan systems for cooling—are crucial for enhancing both crop performance and resource efficiency. The review also explores low-input agronomical strategies, such as pest and disease control—including solarization and optimized integrated pest management (IPM)—as well as fertilization and advanced growing techniques. These approaches are essential for sustainable greenhouse farming.

Design of precise fertilization method for greenhouse vegetables based on improved backpropagation neural network

Design of precise fertilization method for greenhouse vegetables based on improved backpropagation neural network

Development of autonomous navigation system based on neural network and visual servoing for row-crop tracking in vegetable greenhouses

Accurate navigation line localization strategy and robust path tracking control scheme are two key techniques for advancing precision agriculture and enhancing the sustainability of smart farms. In this paper, a superior and cost-effective autonomous navigation system for a visual servoing-based agricultural vehicle in the greenhouse scenario with a distinct layout of two crop rows in each ridge is presented. First, based on image segmentation techniques, a neural network model named DGLNet integrating recognition of crop rows and prediction of the effective area of the navigation line is designed. The linear equation of the navigation line we required is obtained through post-processing operations of linear fitting completed in the effective area. According to experimental results, directly teaching the neural network to learn navigation line localization features utilizes the semantic and spatial information in the feature map to establish a stronger relationship between crop rows and the navigation line, which greatly improves the generalization of the navigation line localization in the case of large-angle yaw scenarios without additional training datasets. In addition, the performance of the network is significantly enhanced by adding an attention mechanism in the backbone based on U-Net. Subsequently, a dataset of cabbage vegetable images covering a wide range of complexities in the greenhouse scenario is created, and is available to support future academic research now. Further, a path tracking control scheme based on point-feature and line-feature is proposed, which can control the agricultural vehicle using the information from camera images without the need to perform explicit localization or maintain a global map. Finally, extensive field experiments have been carried out to show that this autonomous navigation system can preserve the stability of the vehicle and ensure timely convergence of deviations in different complex scenarios, which indicates that this control scheme is reliable and robust. Meanwhile, benefit from the efficiency of this recognition algorithm and the unnecessity of the complete representation of the path in the control scheme, the system has high real-time performance in every scenario.

Does organic agriculture need eco-compensation? Evidence from Chinese organic farms using an eco-compensation model

Differentiated eco-compensation amounts are essential to food security through promoting the adoption of sustainable agriculture. This study enhances the eco-compensation model (ESBIET) by incorporating relative net ecosystem service value (RNESV) and eco-compensation efficiency. Organic farming significantly enhances RNESV, highlighting its ecological benefits. The improved model suggests that eco-compensation may be required for low-value crops such as rice due to market constraints, but not for high-value crops such as greenhouse vegetables and tea. These findings emphasize the vital role of eco-compensation in sustaining eco-friendly rice production and the potential for the effective utilization of eco-compensation funds. This research provides a fairer and more efficient method to quantify eco-compensation to aid policymakers promote sustainable agricultural production.

Technogenic and ecological hazards of using chemical plant protection products (on the example of copper-containing preparations)

Problems Statement and Purpose. The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture has led to significant environmental pollution and health risks, and it is important to consider the negative effects and explore potential solutions to reduce pesticide pollution and its impact on human health and ecosystems. The purpose of the research is to determine the technogenic and environmental hazards of the use of chemical plant protection products (on the example of copper-containing preparations). Materials and methods of research. To study the scale of use and storage of plant protection products in Ukraine and to identify their anthropogenic and environmental threat, the analysis of statistical data on the volume of purchases and use of pesticides, in particular in the Kharkiv region, was used, Experimental studies and chemical analysis of some types of agricultural products after pesticide treatment were carried out using atomic absorption. Results. The paper reveals the essence of the technogenic and environmental hazard of plant protection products for humans and the environment, analyses the scale of use and storage of plant protection products in Ukraine, in particular in the Kharkiv region; outlines ways to improve the technogenic and environmental safety of plant protection products; shows the hazard of using chemical plant protection products for vegetable products on the example of copper-containing preparations. The volume of accumulation and use of pesticides in Ukraine, including in warehouses in the Kharkiv region, is considered. The number of centralised warehouses has increased. There have been no banned or unusable plant protection chemicals since 2012. The research was conducted using vegetables, in particular green onions. In the green mass that came into direct contact with the preparation based on copper sulphate (CuSO4), the Cu content was found to exceed the MAC for vegetables. In the study of tomatoes and cucumbers, the content of copper in fruits was investigated. It was found that treatment with a preparation containing copper does not affect the Cu content in fruits throughout the experiment, including the day of treatment. The maximum Cu content in tomato fruits on the day of treatment does not exceed the MPC in the experimental and control samples. The increase in the concentration of Cu in the experimental samples compared to the control samples is not statistically significant, since all values were below the MAC for vegetables, which is 5.0 mg/kg. The study revealed a periodic increase in the content of this heavy metal in cucumber and tomato samples taken on the day of treatment compared to control samples. This may be due to the presence of the product on the surface of the treated crop that has not yet been washed off. Conclusions. 1) Vinnytsia, Ternopil, and Khmelnytskyi regions used the most pesticides, while Poltava, Cherkasy, and Sumy regions used less. Kharkiv region had 125 pesticide storage facilities, with 79 in good and 46 in satisfactory condition. 2) Copper-containing pesticides increase copper levels in greenhouse vegetables during growth, with significant peaks on the day of treatment. Green produce exceeded permissible copper levels by up to 6.9 times. 3) The results for early vegetable production in greenhouses can be applied to most agricultural practices in Ukraine.

Introduction - Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 1

Greenhouse vegetables cannot usually compete directly on a price basis in the same markets with field-grown vegetables. Greenhouse vegetable production is much more expensive and more intensive and the crops must be marketed as specialty produce. Since greenhouse production is very costly and intensive, and the market for the specialty items is volatile, the prospective grower must be keenly aware of the special and exacting requirements of greenhouse vegetable production. This publication presents the special considerations that must be understood by all new or perspective greenhouse vegetable growers. This document is a chapter of the Florida Greenhosue Vegetable Production Handbook, Volume 1, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First Publication Date: December, 1990

Intelligent Regulation of Temperature and Humidity in Vegetable Greenhouses Based on Single Neuron PID Algorithm

Intelligent Regulation of Temperature and Humidity in Vegetable Greenhouses Based on Single Neuron PID Algorithm

Precise Control and Prevention Methods for Whitefly in Greenhouse Vegetables

Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (greenhouse whitefly) are worldwide polyphagous pests of economic importance that damage solanaceous vegetables. Neonicotinoid pesticides and parasitoid Encarsia formmosa Gahan are the main management strategies applied worldwide, but precise control methods in greenhouse vegetables need to be developed to reduce the application amounts of pesticides and improve the suppression of whitefly populations. Therefore, we assessed the indoor acute toxicities and risk assessment of neonicotinoids for T. vaporariorum and E. formosa adults and pupae and compared the control effects of E. formosa and neonicotinoid acetamiprid. According to the acute toxicities results, most neonicotinoid insecticides were more toxic to E. formosa than T. vaporariorum, and pupae were much less susceptible than adults of both species. Moreover, acetamiprid had a low risk effect on E. formosa. Sole application of E. formosa and acetamiprid could effectively control T. vaporariorum, but their combined application resulted in antagonistic effects on the control of T. vaporariorum. The results showed that a combined application or sole use of E. formosa could reduce the use of insecticides, slow down the development of insecticide resistance in whiteflies, and improve the efficiency of controlling the growth of whitefly populations in greenhouse vegetable production.

Effects of Dark Treatment on Lignin and Cellulose Synthesis in Celery

To clarify the impact of continuous dark stress on lignin and cellulose synthesis in celery, shade-tolerant celery varieties were screened. Yellow celery variety ‘Qianhuang No.1’ and green celery variety ‘Qianlv No.1’ were separately grown in vegetable greenhouses. Dark treatments were applied using PVC shading sleeves for 4, 8, 12, and 16 d after celery had grown 10–13 true leaf blades. This study aimed to investigate the impact of varying periods of dark treatment on the morphological characteristics, lignin accumulation, and cellulose accumulation in celery. The results showed that dark treatment led to celery yellowing, a reduced stem thickness, and an increased plant height. Analysis of lignin and cellulose contents, as well as the expression of related genes, showed that dark treatment caused down-regulation of AgLAC, AgC3′H, AgCCR, AgPOD and AgCAD genes, leading to changes in lignin accumulation. Dark treatment inhibited the expression of the AgCesA6 gene, thus affecting cellulose synthesis. Under dark conditions, the expression of AgF5H and AgHCT genes had little effect on lignin content in celery, and the expression of the AgCslD3 gene had little effect on cellulose content. Analysis of morphological characteristics, lignin accumulation and cellulose accumulation after different lengths of dark treatment demonstrated that ‘Qianlv No.1’ is a shade-tolerant variety in contrast to ‘Qianhuang No.1’.

Detailed Land Use Classification in a Rare Earth Mining Area Using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Data for Sustainable Agricultural Development

In China, ion-adsorbing rare earth minerals are mainly located in the southern hilly areas and are important strategic resources. Extensive long-term mining has severely damaged the land cover in mining areas, caused soil pollution and terrain fragmentation, disrupted the balance between mining and agriculture, severely restricted agricultural development, and affected ecological development. Precise and detailed classification of land use within mining areas is crucial for monitoring the sustainable development of agricultural ecology in these areas. In this study, we leverage the high spatial and high spectral resolution characteristics of the Zhuhai-1 (OHS) hyperspectral image datasets. We create four types of datasets based on spectral, vegetation, red edge, and texture characteristics. These datasets are optimized for multifaceted features, considering the complex land use scenario in rare earth mining areas. Additionally, we design seven optimal combination schemes for features. This is performed to examine the impact of different schemes on land use classification in rare earth mining areas and the accuracy of identifying agricultural land classes from broken blocks. The results show that (1) the inclusion of texture features has the most obvious effect on the overall classification accuracy; (2) the red edge feature has the worst effect on improving the overall accuracy of the surface classification; however, it has a prominent effect on the identification of agricultural lands such as farmland, orchards, and reclaimed vegetation; and (3), following the combination of various optimization features, the land use classification yielded the highest overall accuracy, at 88.16%. Furthermore, the comprehensive identification of various agricultural land classes, including farmland, orchards, and greenhouse vegetables, yielded the most desirable outcomes. The research results not only highlight the advantages of hyperspectral images for complex terrain classification and recognition but also address the previous limitations in the application of hyperspectral datasets over wide mining areas. Additionally, the results underscore the reliability of feature selection methods in reducing information redundancy and improving classification accuracy. The proposed feature selection combination, based on OHS hyperspectral datasets, offers technical support and guidance for the detailed classification of complex land use in mining areas and the accurate monitoring of agroecological environments.

Study on the mechanism and degradation behavior of Encifer adhaerens DNM-S1 capturing dimethyl phthalate

The global concern surrounding pollution caused by phthalates is escalating, with dimethyl phthalate (DMP) emerging as one of the most prevalent contaminants within the phthalates (PAEs) category. Although the biodegradation of DMP is considered both safe and efficient, its underlying degradation mechanism is not yet fully elucidated, and the degradation performance can be somewhat inconsistent. To address this issue, our study isolated a DMP-degrading bacterium (DNM-S1) from a vegetable greenhouse. The resulting data revealed that DNM-S1 exhibited a remarkable degradation performance, successfully degrading 84.98% of a 2000 mg L−1 DMP solution within 72 h. Remarkably, it achieved complete degradation of a 50 mg L−1 DMP solution within just 3 h. DMP degradation by DNM-S1 was also found to be efficient even under low-temperature conditions (10 °C). Our research further indicates that DNM-S1 is capable of capturing DMP through the ester bond in the bacterium's cell wall fatty acids, forming hydrogen bonds through hydrophobic interactions. The DMP was then transported into the DNM-S1 protoplasm using an active transport mechanism. Interestingly, the secondary metabolites of DNM-S1 contained natural carotenoids, which could potentially counteract the damaging effects of PAEs on cell membrane permeability. In summary, these findings highlight the potential of DNM-S1 in addressing PAEs pollution and provide new insights into the metabolic mechanism of PAEs degradation.

Vegetable and potato growing in Kazakhstan as the main direction of agricultural production

The goal is to assess the development of potato and vegetable growing and their impact on the state of domestic and regional agricultural markets, to formulate proposals for stabilizing and improving the situation in the near future. Methods – comparative analysis, economicstatistical and structural approaches. Results – the authors note that in order to achieve the required level of food security, it is necessary to increase the volume of cultivation of these products in large agricultural enterprises, which will contribute to the growth of commercial production of vegetables and potatoes of proper quality. The state and potential of vegetable and potato farms, their regional characteristics, formation of vegetable market, and state support for vegetable growing industry at the national level are considered. The issues of regulating cultivation and sale of vegetable products are analyzed, the level of its consumption in the constituent entities of the Republic of Kazakhstan and factors determining it are shown. Monitoring of the areas of potatoes grown in open ground, tools and mechanisms for stimulating their expansion, the share of gross potato harvest for all categories of farms in the republic, the dynamics of prices of agricultural producers and consumer prices was carried out. Taking into account the scientific views and opinions of researchers, analysis of the category “sustainable development” is presented. Conclusions – it is necessary to carry out reclamation measures related to the involvement of agricultural land in circulation for vegetable and potato growing, increase in state support for agricultural producers, as well as funds to reimburse part of costs incurred for production of greenhouse vegetables, and technical re-equipment of production facilities. The implementation of investment projects is important, which will make it possible in the medium term to achieve complete food independence for vegetables and potatoes and ensure an acceptable price environment for their producers and consumers.

Enhancing Productivity and Improving Nutritional Quality of Subtropical and Temperate Leafy Vegetables in Tropical Greenhouses and Indoor Farming Systems

The total land used for land-based food farms is less than 1% in Singapore. As a result, more than 90% of Singapore’s food needs are imported. To strengthen food security, Singapore has set a target to develop the capability and capacity of the agri-food industry to locally produce 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030. To achieve this goal, technology is the key to helping farms to “grow more with less”. This review first discusses how aeroponic systems have been adapted for growing all kinds of leafy vegetables in the tropics through the manipulation of root-zone temperature and heat priming to save power energy. Growing vegetable crops indoors and in greenhouses not only allows the growers to achieve high productivity but also enables them to enhance nutritional values. The second part of this paper emphasizes how to achieve substantial yield through deficit irrigation with higher nutritional quality in a cost-effective manner. Growing crops vertically has become increasingly popular, as it increases land use. We establish a commercially viable LED-integrated aeroponic system to grow vegetables vertically. The last part of the paper discusses the impacts of LED spectral quality, quantity, and duration on vegetable production.