The Impact of Environmental Factors on the Quality of Horticultural Commodities

Horticultural production is one of the most intensive sectors of agriculture, which develop very dynamically. As yields increase and quality criteria increase, greater emphasis is being placed on the biological balance of ecosystems. Therefore, new environmentally friendly production systems are being developed, in which growing methods and techniques are strongly based on environmental conditions. This involves breeding new cultivars with improved resistance to adverse factors, using crop rotation to limit exposure to pathogens in soil, controlled fertilization and organic mulching, stimulating biological processes in the rhizosphere, and applying biological preparations for plant protection and nutrition to improve product quality. Just like other food products, fruit, vegetables, edible flowers, and other horticultural commodities products offered to consumers should be of good quality and, above all, safe to eat. Each step from field to the table must be subject to procedures that ensure that relevant quality requirements are met. Aside from the growing method, pruning, pollination, protection and fertilization, product quality is affected by environmental conditions, the most notable of which include all macro- and microclimatic elements and soil environment.