A Comprehensive Review on Protected Cultivation of Horticultural Crops: Advances and Sustainability

Abstract

Horticultural crop growing under protection has become a vital method in contemporary agriculture, providing several advantages like improved quality, higher yield, and defence against pests and unfavourable weather. The purpose of this thorough research is to outline the present state of protected cultivation methods and investigate their potential in horticulture going forward. The examination starts out by going over the many kinds of protected cultivation structures as well as their benefits and drawbacks, such as shade houses, high tunnels, and greenhouses. It then emphasizes how important protected farming is in tackling the issues of global food security by guaranteeing crop output all year round and lowering reliance on seasonal fluctuations. The review goes on to examine how protected cultivation methods, such as enhanced crop morphogenesis, better precipitation control, and the optimization of environmental parameters like temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels, affect the growth and development of horticultural crops. Additionally, the use of cutting-edge technologies such as vertical farming, hydroponics, and aeroponics in protected growing systems is investigated, with a focus on how they might maximize crop output while consuming the fewest resources possible. The study also explores the difficulties and limitations associated with putting protected cultivation into practice, such as financial concerns, energy needs, and the need for artificial inputs. It talks about eco-friendly and sustainable ways to lessen these problems and support ecological balance, like using renewable energy sources and switching to organic farming methods. The paper concludes by outlining some potential future developments and trends in protected cultivation, such as the application of artificial intelligence, precision agriculture methods, and smart farming technology. In the end, these developments could result in higher yield and quality improvements in the production of horticulture crops by further optimizing resource use, enhancing automation, and improving crop monitoring and management.