The growing media is one of the significant elements affecting microgreens’ yield and quality. This experiment investigated the possibility of waste utilization instead of employing peat moss to produce sunflower and water-spinach microgreens. The treatments consisted of peat moss (Control), coconut coir dust (CD), leaf compost (LC), food waste compost (FC), CD:LC = 1:1 v/v, CD:FC = 1:1 v/v, LC:FC = 1:1 v/v, and CD:LC:FC = 1:1:1 v/v. The results proved that the highest yield of sunflower microgreens was observed when cultivated in 1:1 v/v of CD:LC media (10,114.81 g m⁻²), whereas the highest yield of water spinach microgreens was recorded under the treatments of CD, Control, 1:1 v/v of CD:LC, and 1:1:1 v/v of CD:LC:FC media (10,966.67–9800.00 g m⁻²). The biochemical composition of the microgreens varied within the types. Our findings demonstrated that a tendency of an increase in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents depended on the growth of both microgreens under different growing media. All growing media did not cause excess nitrate residue or pathogenic contamination in both microgreens, namely Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast, almost all the growing media resulted in a higher population of Bacillus cereus contamination in both microgreens than the standard set limit, except for sunflower microgreens grown in the control and CD growing media. These findings could suggest that the 1:1 v/v of CD:LC and CD media were the most effective growing media for sunflower and water spinach microgreens, respectively, but further cleaning before consumption is recommended to avoid or reduce the foodborne incidences caused by B. cereus in microgreens.

The cultivation of lettuce in greenhouses is negatively impacted by high temperatures, especially in hot climates. Therefore, developing an efficient method to regulate the internal temperature of greenhouses is essential to sustain crop productivity throughout the year. This study intends to investigate differential temperature control systems for green romaine lettuce production in the greenhouse. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. The four treatments consisted of (1) control, (2) Fogging + ventilation fan, (3) Fogging + shading, and (4) Fogging + ventilation fan + shading. The different temperature control systems influenced the growth and yield parameters, in which shading operation appears to cause reductions in photosynthetic rate, leading to declines of marketable fresh weight. However, the operation of the fogging and ventilation fan was considered the appropriate method for improving indoor air temperature since this resulted in higher growth and yield and a greater sensory evaluation. Maintaining VPD values between 1.62 and 1.76 kPa and controlling light intensity within the 530–700 mol m⁻² s⁻¹ range were recommended to ensure a consistent lettuce yield of 65–82 g plant⁻¹ throughout the year.

Natural amendments from agricultural waste to improve soil physicochemical properties continuously attract research interest in promoting eco-friendly plant production. The present study evaluated the proper use of sawdust, biochar, and compost made from farm waste for kale production from seedling propagation to field conditions. From the seedling propagation process, the results demonstrate that the most suitable growing medium for kale seedings was 0.5:1:1 v/v of sawdust + biochar + compost, which gave the fastest mean germination times (2.71 days) and the highest seed germination percentage (78.33%). In addition to investigating the selected growing media as the soil amendments at five different rates (0, 6.25, 12.50, 18.75, 25.00, and 31.25 t ha⁻¹), the result reveals that the fresh weight of marketable leaves was significantly highest under the 31.25 t ha⁻¹ treatment. The application rate that yielded the highest gross profit margins was eight times higher than the control. Moreover, in some harvesting periods, the kale leaf yields under the treatment of 31.25 t ha⁻¹ showed higher total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents.

This study investigated the optimization of shading and organic fertilizer applications on vegetable fern growth and yield quality in order to develop guidelines for farmers interested in sustainable vegetable fern production. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design in RCBD with four replications. There were three main plots; no shading, 75% shading, and 96% shading. The five sub-plots consisted of no fertilizer application (control), chemical fertilizer at a rate of 92.80 kg N ha⁻¹, and cow manure at rates of 92.80, 185.60, and 278.40 kg N ha⁻¹. A comparison between different shading and fertilizer treatments, combined, demonstrated that 75% shading with the application of cow manure at the rate of 185.60 kg N ha⁻¹ was the most appropriate management for vegetable fern production, with the highest marketable yield recorded (1128.54 kg ha⁻¹ month⁻¹) and a 10-fold yield increase compared to the control (no shading and no fertilizer). This treatment also resulted in good yield quality (crunchy and tender), high concentrations of chlorophyll and vitamin C, and a safe amount of nitrate accumulation for consumers.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) represents a high-value horticultural crop in Thailand with significant export potential; however, optimizing productivity in tropical environments requires a precise understanding of how cultivation practices and harvest seasons influence marketability. Here, a split-plot experiment arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted to examine how different crop methods and harvest seasons affect asparagus yield and quality in Lopburi Province, Thailand. The main plots were categorized by harvest season—summer, rainy, and winter—while the subplots included three crop methods: conventional, GAP, and organic. Summer produced the highest yield and asparagus with the greatest levels of total chlorophyll, phenolics, and DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to other seasons. Although the conventional methods yielded the most spears per plant, these spears contained higher levels of contaminants, including cadmium, lead, and nitrate. In contrast, spears from GAP and organic methods had higher phosphorus levels. However, no pesticide residues were found in any spear samples. Economically, the organic method had the shortest payback period, owing to lower production costs; despite a lower annual yield, stable market prices kept it profitable. In addition, organic soils had the highest levels of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Overall, while conventional methods enhance the yield and certain qualities, organic farming, particularly when harvested in summer, yields the highest economic returns and the most sustainable system among those tested.