Horticultural Science

ISSN 0862-867X (Print)
ISSN 1805-9333 (On-line)

An international open access peer-reviewed journal published by the Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences and financed by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. Published since 1976 (by 1999 under the title Zahradnictví)

The journal is administered by an international Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief: prof. Dr. Ing. Boris Krška
Co-editors: doc. Ing. Martin Koudela, Ph.D., Ing. Jana Ouředníčková, Ph.D., prof. Ing. Robert Pokluda, Ph.D., Ing. Jiří Sedlák, Ph.D.
Executive Editor: Ing. Eva Karská
Technical Editor: Ing. Adéla Fajčíková
The journal is published quarterly

Journal leaflet

Aims & Scope

The journal publishes results of basic and applied research from all areas of horticulture – fruit growing, orcharding, viticulture, vegetable growing, floriculture, ornamental gardening, mushroom growing, medicinal plants, garden, and landscape architecture. Original scientific papers, short communications, and review articles are published in the journal. Articles are published in English (British spelling).

Current issue

Sequential and combined spray of herbicides to tomato field on weed reduction, fruit parameters and carryover residuesOriginal Paper

Yerra Pavani, Ponnusamy Janaki, Palanisamy Murali Arthanari, Ramasamy Jagadeeswaran, Arjunan Sankari, Alaguthevar Ramalakshmi, Chandrasekaran Bharathi

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):91-102 | DOI: 10.17221/41/2024-HORTSCI

Tomatoes are in great demand worldwide and consumed due to their nutritional and sensory qualities. Weed infestation poses a great challenge in tomato production, prompting growers to employ two to three herbicides in combinations and sequences for comprehensive control. Consequently, this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of glyphosate, pendimethalin, and metribuzin when applied individually or in sequential combinations in tomato fields. The herbicides significantly reduced the weed density and dry biomass and enhanced the weed control efficiency (WCE) compared to control. A tank mix spray of pendimethalin and metribuzin following glyphosate...

Effect of compounds used for soaking narcissus bulbs on mycelium coverage of bulbs and substrateOriginal Paper

Adam Tadeusz Wojdyła, Jacek Stanisław Nowak, Jan Bocianowski, Monika Kałużna, Jacek Wiśniewski, Emilia Waszkiewicz

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):103-110 | DOI: 10.17221/42/2024-HORTSCI

In the experiments, two compounds were used: hydrogen peroxide with silver (H2O2-Ag+) and captan, pyraclostrobin + boscalid and methyl thiophanate + tetraconazole to soak narcissus bulbs before planting for the period of 20 minutes. The bulbs were planted in such a way that 2/3 of the bulb was above the surface of the substrate. All the pots with bulbs were subsequently placed in plastic boxes and transferred to a cooling chamber adjusted precisely for 9 °C and 94–99% air humidity. During the rooting of the bulbs in the cold room after 4, 8, 12 and 15 weeks, and then in the greenhouse after cutting the above-ground parts, the observations of...

Variations in bog bilberry fruit characteristics along an altitudinal gradient on Changbai Mountain, ChinaOriginal Paper

Jinhang Li, Qige Qi, Qichang Zhang, Meng Wang, Yichen Liu, Xinyu Sun, Yuting Mu, Chunlei Yang

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):111-119 | DOI: 10.17221/147/2023-HORTSCI

To better understand the influence of altitude on fruit characteristics of bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.), here we investigated the adaptation of its fruit morphological and chemical traits to the environment at six growing positions along an altitudinal gradient (706, 957, 1 226, 1 315, 2 000 and 2 190 m) on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, China. Fruit longitudinal diameter, fruit transverse diameter and fruit weight decreased significantly with increasing altitude. Vitamin B1 content reached its highest at 2 190 m, while both vitamin B2 and vitamin C contents reached their highest and lowest at 1 226 and 706 m, respectively....

Influence of phosphite and phosphate fertilizers at three different pH levels under floating system on the growth, yield, and nutrient concentration of broccoliOriginal Paper

Amin Jahanian, Seyed Jalal Tabatabaei, Nosratollah Najafi, Martina Bučková, Farzad Rasouli, Jiří Mlček, Sezai Ercisli

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):120-130 | DOI: 10.17221/16/2024-HORTSCI

This study was conducted to determine the effects of phosphite and phosphate fertilisers on broccoli’s yield, growth, and nutritional status (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica cv. ‘Fiorentino’). In factorial combinations, experiments were conducted at three pH levels (5.5, 7.0, and 8.5) and three phosphorus source levels [Pi (phosphate), Phi (phosphite), and Pi + Phi]. Phi had a statistically significant negative effect on yield, producing immature and button-like flower heads. Decreases in chlorophyll index, Fv/Fm [ratio of variable fluorescence (Fv) to maximum fluorescence (Fm)], and leaf area were observed using the...

Evaluation of different rooting stimulators and substrates to produce guava clone plants through softwood cuttingsOriginal Paper

Muhammad Tahir Akram, Rashad Qadri, Mehwish Liaquat, Naveed ur Rehman, Tanveer Hussain, Irfan Ali, Sarvet Jehan, Muhammad Azam, Muhammad Mumtaz Khan, Muhammad Ahsan Khatana, Arslan Achakzai, Israr Ali

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):131-143 | DOI: 10.17221/62/2024-HORTSCI

The clonal propagation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) is essential to avoid segregation, and its multiplication through cuttings is the easiest and cheapest way to raise a nursery, as other propagation techniques are laborious and need expertise. The current study was planned to evaluate the best rooting stimulators and rooting substrates for guava nursery propagation. In this experiment, the guava-prepared cuttings were treated with rooting stimulators, indole butyric acid (IBA) and paclobutrazol (PB) with concentrations (0, 200, 400, and 600 ppm) and were planted in independent rooting substrates (sand, silt and topsoil) under polytunnels....

Integrated effect of inorganic and bio-organic nutrients on alstroemeria growth, flowering and soil dynamicsOriginal Paper

Shweta Sharma, Anshul Kumar, Sabhya Pathania, B.P. Sharma, Bharati Kashyap, Abeer Hashem, Graciela Dolores Avila-Quezada, Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):144-154 | DOI: 10.17221/15/2024-HORTSCI

Optimum nutrition is essential for quality cut flower production and for improving soil health. The study aims to evaluate the interaction between bio-organic and inorganic nutrient sources in enhancing alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrida L.) cut flower production and soil health for sustainable cultivation practice. Randomised block methodology involving 20 treatment combinations of inorganic fertilisers (NPK) and biostimulants (Panchgavya and Jeevamrit) applied at varying concentrations. Significant outcomes emerged from the combined influence of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients. The application of the 100% recommended dose of fertiliser...

European rose chafer prevalence on cultivated highbush blueberriesOriginal Paper

Maxhun Shehaj, Erzen Shehaj, Elbasan Çekaj, Agrinë Naqa, Blerinë Krasniqi

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):155-161 | DOI: 10.17221/28/2024-HORTSCI

The purpose of this study was to detect the prevalence rate of European rose chafer (Cetonia aurata) on American highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum). The observation was made from the beginning of flowering to the end of harvest of the blueberry cultivars ‘Duke’, ‘Legacy’, and ‘Huron’. The incidence occurs during the first harvest of the ‘Duke’ cultivar. Three rows per cultivar, with 90 plants per row, were monitored during the research. Insects were collected on 15 infested plants per row, randomly selected, and counted. This procedure was repeated every second day, 3 times a day:...

Granular organic hydrosorbents increase water retention and resistance of boxwood seedlings during droughtOriginal Paper

Markéta Mayerová, Martin Stehlík, Tomáš Šimon, Petr Hutla, Ilona Gerndtová

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):162-172 | DOI: 10.17221/72/2024-HORTSCI

Sufficient available water in the soil is critical for plant growth, especially soon after planting. Water absorbed by organic hydrosorbents has the potential to reduce drought stress after planting and improve seedling survival. This research evaluates the effectiveness of granular organic hydrosorbents (GOH) in increasing soil-water retention in a pot experiment with boxwood (Buxus sempervirens L.) seedlings. The leaf chlorophyll content was also evaluated to determine plant growth. The following fertilisers were used: GOH 1 comprised 50% biogas products and 50% wheat straw, and GOH 2 combined post-harvest grain, legume and oilseed residues....

Effect of Trichoderma harzianum against Fusarium oxysporum in resistant and susceptible tomato cultivarsOriginal Paper

Patcharaporn Suwor, Manthana Mueangkhong, Praphat Kawicha, Thanwanit Thanyasiriwat, Suchila Techawongstien, Sanjeet Kumar, Wen-Shi Tsai, Somsak Kramchote

Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2025, 52(2):173-181 | DOI: 10.17221/126/2023-HORTSCI

Fusarium wilt disease presents a substantial challenge to tomato production, especially in an open field environment. The peroxidase (POD) activity and total phenolic compounds (TPCs) play a crucial role in measuring the antioxidant capacity of plants. Understanding the variations in the POD and TPC levels during disease-induced stress becomes important for effectively managing Fusarium wilt and enhancing tomato production. This study investigates the impacts of Trichoderma harzianum inoculation through the root drip method on five tomato cultivars. It compares these cultivars to their non-treated counterparts when they are subjected to infection...