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Announcements
4 June 2026
Open Access, Broadly Recognized: 363 MDPI Journals Receive CiteScores for 2025
The 2025 CiteScore metrics have been officially released by Scopus, and the results confirm what has become a consistent pattern for MDPI's journal portfolio: broad recognition across disciplines, steady improvement across the majority of ranked titles, and a growing presence at the top of subject category rankings.
CiteScore, published annually by Elsevier's Scopus database, measures the average citations received by articles published in a journal over a four-year window. As a complement to the Journal Impact Factor, which uses a two-year window based on the Web of Science database, CiteScore provides an alternative, long-term perspective on citation performance.
The 365 MDPI journals in Scopus (as of May 2026) are indexed across a wide range of subject categories, ensuring that open access research remains highly discoverable to a global readership through one of the most widely used platforms in academic publishing.
Data Summary (2025 CiteScores)
- New Additions: 41 MDPI journals received a CiteScore for the first time.
- Trending Upward: 234 of 322 previously ranked journals (73%) saw an increase in their CiteScore compared to last year.
- High Visibility: 314 journals (86%) rank in Q1 or Q2 in at least one subject category.
- Elite Performance: 42 journals rank in the top 10% of their subject categories.
Portfolio Performance
Among the 322 journals that held a CiteScore in 2024, 234 saw an increase this year. Quartile improvements outnumbered declines across the portfolio, with 52 journals moving to a higher quartile and only 20 seeing a decline. Furthermore, no previously ranked journals were removed. The 42 journals now ranked in the top 10% of their subject categories are drawn from a strong foundation of 178 journals holding a Q1 position.
With the large majority of our indexed portfolio ranked in the top half of research fields, researchers can confidently choose MDPI to meet funder mandates for high-quality, fully compliant Open Access publishing.
Exceptional Achievements for Foods and Life
Notably, both Foods and Life achieved a 99th percentile ranking in their respective subject categories for the 2025 CiteScores. This outstanding placement positions them as leading outlets in their fields and highlights the high visibility and global impact of the open access research they publish.
Journal Metrics and Beyond
Journal-level metrics describe outlets, not individual articles. An increasing number of funders and institutions—including signatories of DORA and the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment—now explicitly encourage evaluation at the article level rather than by the journal in which research appears. MDPI supports this direction: we report CiteScore alongside the Journal Impact Factor, Journal Citation Indicator, and article-level usage data because no single number captures the full reach and contribution of published research.
Thank You
These results reflect the sustained effort of thousands of editors-in-chief, editorial board members, reviewers, and authors across every field MDPI serves. The metrics are the outcome; the work is yours.
1 June 2026
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO’s Letter #35 – 30 Years of Open Science, Open Access Policies, Spain Summit, MMCS 2026 & Antibiotics 2026
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts

30 Years of Open Science, Built Together
This month, we officially launched MDPI’s 30th Anniversary campaign and dedicated anniversary website, marking an important milestone in our journey as an open access publisher. What began in 1996 with a single journal and the simple belief that scientific knowledge should be shared openly and freely has grown into a global publishing organization supporting more than 500 journals, 68,000 Editorial Board Members, and millions of researchers worldwide.
The anniversary page, entitled 30 Years of Open Science, Built Together, reflects on the people, milestones, and partnerships that have shaped MDPI over the past three decades. It includes a retrospective of our development, key moments in the evolution of open access, landmark research articles, journal anniversaries, an interview with the CEO, and perspectives from colleagues and partners who have contributed to our success.

Looking back, one of the most striking aspects of our journey is not simply our growth, but the broader transformation of scholarly publishing itself.
Open access has moved from a niche concept to a widely adopted publishing model, helping make research more accessible, discoverable, and impactful for researchers, institutions, policymakers, and society.
MDPI has been part of this transition and continues to invest in the people, technology, partnerships, and research integrity infrastructure needed to support high-quality open science at scale.
While anniversaries naturally encourage reflection, they are also an opportunity to look ahead. The challenges facing scholarly publishing today, including research integrity, artificial intelligence, accessibility, and global participation in science, will require continued collaboration across the research ecosystem. As we celebrate 30 years of publishing, our focus remains on supporting researchers, strengthening trust in open science, and helping shape the future of scholarly communication together.
I encourage you to visit the anniversary page, explore the milestones, and take a moment to reflect on the role each of us has played in contributing to MDPI’s story.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Impactful Research

Highlights from MMCS 2026 in Beijing (14-17 May)
From 14–17 May, MDPI hosted The 5th Molecules Medicinal Chemistry Symposium (MMCS 2026) in Beijing, China, bringing together academia and industry to explore advances in chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery.
The conference hosted more than 230 attendees from 37 countries and regions, alongside 257 submissions and 145 accepted abstracts. With a significant increase in attendance – up by 100 participants compared with the previous edition – the popularity of MMCS continues to grow in terms of its international profile and scientific relevance within this rapidly evolving field.

The scientific program covered seven themes:
- Chemical Biology for Drug Discovery
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Progress
- Natural Products in Drug Discovery
- AI-enabled Drug Discovery
- GPCR & Ion Channel Targeted Drug Development
- Innovative Proximity-Based Drug Modalities
- Biocatalysis for Natural Product & Drug Synthesis
The event featured three plenary speakers, 14 keynote speakers, 35 selected oral presentations, and 98 poster presentations, creating opportunities for open scientific exchange and collaboration. Conference Chair Prof. Dr. Diego Muñoz-Torrero described this edition as one of the most successful MMCS events to date.
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Thanks to our Sponsors
MMCS 2026 secured sponsorship support from 12 industrial partners, 11 of which set up on-site exhibition booths. Covering biopharmaceutical R&D, life science supplies, pharmaceutical experimental instruments, and industrial service sectors, exhibitors were able to connect their businesses directly with attendees and make connections at the conference.

30th Anniversary Celebration of Molecules
During the conference, we also celebrated the 30th anniversary of Molecules, one of MDPI’s flagship journals. The celebration brought together Section Editors-in-Chief, Editorial Board Members, MDPI leadership, and editorial colleagues to reflect on the journal’s development, achievements, and continued future growth.

Events such as MMCS 2026 highlight the important role conferences play in creating scientific exchange and collaboration, and in connecting our research communities in person.
They also reflect the continued development of MDPI’s conference portfolio and our commitment to supporting academic engagement beyond publishing alone. Thanks to everyone involved in organizing and contributing to the success of this event.
Inside MDPI

Open Access Policies Continue to Accelerate Globally
One of the clearest indicators of the continued momentum behind open access is the growing number of national and institutional policies supporting, and increasingly requiring, open dissemination of research.
Around the world, governments, funding agencies, and universities are building their open access mandates, with increasing focus on transparency, rights retention, and public accessibility of publicly funded research. While these policies vary across regions, the broader direction is clear: expectations around openness and compliance continue to accelerate.
For researchers, navigating these evolving requirements can be complex and time-consuming. Supporting the research community therefore means not only publishing high-quality open access content but also helping stakeholders better understand changing requirements and emerging opportunities. At MDPI, we see this as an important part of our role within scholarly communication.
“Expectations around openness and compliance continue to accelerate”
Through the MDPI Blog, our Content team continues to publish monthly articles overviewing different countries’ relationships with open access, exploring their histories, policies, opportunities, and statistics. All this information is centralized into an article which contains brief summaries of each country, with links to all the full articles, and is updated monthly.
Recent Policy Developments
South Africa
In 2026, South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation introduced the South African Open Science Policy. The policy states that: “Open access shall be required for publications arising from publicly funded research, and desirable for research from all sources of funding.”
The policy envisions a coordinated and broad approach to open science that will sustainably and ethically drive socio-economic development by increasing the practice of open science through policy, training, incentivization, and infrastructure.
Canada
In Canada, the Tri-Agency OA Policy on Publications was revised, removing the 12-month embargo for research that must be deposited in a repository with an open license and with author rights retained.
The Agencies argue that “societal advancement is made possible through widespread and barrier-free access to cutting-edge research and knowledge.”
Chile
Chile is a collaborative and engaged member of the global open access movement.
The National Research and Development Agency (Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, or ANID) is Chile’s main funding agency for R&D. It mandates that all beneficiaries must deposit the final version of their published scientific output, with an embargo period of up to 12 months, into a repository.
ANID also supports the InES Open Science funding program, which allows universities to request funding for capacity and infrastructure building. Further, Chile is an active participant in various international initiatives, such as Redalyc, SciELO, and Red de Repositorios Latinoamericanos.
Openness Beyond Research
At MDPI, openness remains one of our core values, ensuring that research outputs are freely accessible to anyone. This commitment also extends to sharing knowledge about the scholarly publishing landscape itself, which we practice on the MDPI Blog through various topics, including open access, recent advances in science, and opportunities for researchers.
As the open access landscape continues to evolve, helping researchers, institutions, editors, and partners navigate these changes will remain an important priority for us.

Thank You
I would like to thank Jack McKenna (Senior Content Specialist, MDPI) from our Content team for his ongoing work on the MDPI Blog series covering global open access policy developments. Initiatives such as this help make complex policy discussions more accessible and useful to the wider research community.
Coming Together for Science

Reflections from the MDPI Spain Summit 2026 in Valencia (21 May)

On 21 May, we hosted the MDPI Spain Summit 2026 in Valencia.
The Summit brought together 30 Editorial Board Members and MDPI colleagues for a discussions on the future of publishing, research integrity, peer review, artificial intelligence, and the evolving research landscape in Spain.
We hosted participants from leading Spanish institutions and spoke on the importance of Spain as a major contributor to global open access (OA) research. In 2025 alone, Spain ranked among the leading countries worldwide for OA publishing, with more than 85% of publications made openly accessible. MDPI also continues to play a significant role within the Spanish research ecosystem.
MDPI in Spain
Spain remains one of MDPI's most important academic markets and a leading contributor to OA research globally. Ever since our Barcelona office opened in 2016 (Happy 10th Anniversary!), MDPI Spain has been actively supporting researchers, institutions, societies, and academic partners across the country. Today, the office plays an important role in creating engagement with the Spanish scholarly community through editorial support, partnerships, conferences, training initiatives, and outreach activities.
A cluster of high-level indicators highlight both the strength of the local research ecosystem and MDPI’s role within it:
- 43,218 total publications in Spain in 2025, of which 35,728 (83%) were open access (49% Gold OA).
- 211,200+ total publications (2021–2025), with 84% published open access.
- 13,444 MDPI publications from Spanish institutions in 2025, representing 14% of all open access publications in Spain.
- More than115,100 MDPI publications from Spanish institutions since 1996.
- More than 4,500 Editorial Board Members from Spain, including more than 150 Chief Editors and 57 Associate Editors.
- 42 institutional partners participating in MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP).
- Spain ranks second globally for MDPI society affiliations, with 26 affiliated society agreements currently in place.
Program Overview
What made this summit special was the openness of the discussions around the research landscape in Spain and the role MDPI plays within the market. General topics of the presentations included:
- MDPI Introduction – Stefan Tochev (CEO).
- Engagement with the Academic Community – Dr. Marta Colomer (External Affairs Lead).
- Latest Developments in the Editorial Process – Dr. Jordi Martinez (Deputy Managing Editor).
- Research integrity and Publication Ethics – Slavomir Nikodijevic (Research Integrity Specialist).
- A 360 View of Academic Publishing – Prof. Dr. Luis Angel Ruiz Fernandez (EBM of Remote Sensing).
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Panel Discussion
We also hosted a panel discussion moderated by Marta, entitled “The Future of Academic Publishing” with Prof. Luis Ruiz, Prof. Marta Feliz (EBM of the journal Catalysts), Dr. Enric Sayas (Product Owner, AI & Technology Innovation), and myself. The discussion looked at the evolving role of editors, the future of peer review, and the growing importance of maintaining trust, ethics, and research integrity in an era increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.
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Themes from the Summit
Several themes emerged throughout the discussions, reflecting broader conversations taking place across publishing:
- The academic community values efficient publishing workflows, but expectations around scientific quality and editorial rigor continue to rise.
- Reviewer fatigue and long-term sustainability of peer review remain major challenges across the industry.
- AI is rapidly changing scholarly communication and requires transparent and responsible governance.
- Reputation and trust continue to depend on long-term engagement, transparency, and quality-focused decision-making.
“Maintaining an open dialogue with researchers, editors, reviewers, and institutions remains a priority for MDPI”
It was constructive to see the willingness of participants to engage directly and candidly with us. These conversations provide insights that help inform how we continue to develop our editorial processes, engagement activities, and support for the research community. While certain discussions included concerns, there was also recognition that open dialogue between publishers and the research community is essential if we want to improve scholarly communication together.
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Events such as this are increasingly important for MDPI. They allow us to present our perspective, to listen to the experiences, expectations, and concerns of editors, reviewers, and researchers, and to address these accordingly.
Thank You
Thank you to our Barcelona Office and all colleagues involved in organizing the summit, as well as all participants for contributing to these thoughtful and constructive discussions.
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As publishing continues to evolve, maintaining an open dialogue with researchers, editors, reviewers, and institutions remains an important priority for MDPI. Events such as the Spain Summit play an important role in helping us to build relationships, foster trust, and better understand the needs of our community.
Closing Thoughts

Highlights from Antibiotics 2026 in Barcelona (11–14 May)
This week, MDPI hosted the Antibiotics 2026 — Advances in Antimicrobial Action and Resistance conference in Barcelona, bringing together academics and industry experts to discuss one of the most important scientific and public health challenges of our time: antimicrobial resistance.
The conference welcomed 145 attendees from 42 different countries and territories, alongside 265 submissions and 127 accepted abstracts, showing the international reach of the event and the strong scientific interest in this rapidly evolving field.

Scientific Exchange on a Global Challenge
Antimicrobial resistance continues to be a global concern, creating collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and regions. The conference program focused on a range of topics including:
- Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms
- One Health approaches to antimicrobial stewardship
- Discovery of novel antimicrobial agents
- Innovation in clinical strategies and treatment approaches
- Ethnopharmacology and emerging therapies
Through keynote plenaries, invited lectures, oral presentations, and poster sessions, the conference created a platform for dialogue and scientific exchange.
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International Participation and Collaboration
One of the highlights of the event was the diversity of participation across both geography and expertise. Researchers and speakers from Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Latin America took part in discussions throughout the conference, highlighting the global nature of both the challenge and the scientific response.
The scientific program included:
- 2 keynote speakers
- 10 invited speakers
- 36 selected talks
- 78 posters
The conference brought together perspectives from academia, healthcare, and industry, helping facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration around future approaches to antimicrobial research and resistance management.
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The Role of Conferences in Scholarly Communication
Conferences are an important platform for collaboration, scientific exchange, and community-building. Events such as Antibiotics 2026 show the value of bringing researchers together in person to discuss emerging challenges, share new findings, and strengthen international networks across disciplines and regions.

Thank You
I would like to thank the conference chairs, speakers, participants, sponsors, and the entire MDPI conference team for their work in making this event a success. The engagement and positive feedback from attendees highlight the importance of our events in addressing some of the most pressing scientific challenges facing society today.

Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
25 May 2026
Agronomy | Top Viewed Papers Published in 2025
We are pleased to invite you to explore our most influential and widely read research by delving into the top-viewed papers published in 2025 in Agronomy (ISSN: 2073-4395). This curated selection represents cutting-edge themes and urgent questions shaping modern agronomy. For more top viewed papers, please visit: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy/most_cited.
- “Humic Substances: Bridging Ecology and Agriculture for a Greener Future”
by Angela Maffia, Mariateresa Oliva, Federica Marra, Carmelo Mallamaci, Serenella Nardi and Adele Muscolo
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020410
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/410 - “Microplastics in Soil–Plant Systems: Current Knowledge, Research Gaps, and Future Directions for Agricultural Sustainability”
by Zhangling Chen, Laura J. Carter, Steven A. Banwart and Paul Kay
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1519; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071519
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1519 - “Utilizing Different Crop Rotation Systems for Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability: A Review”
by Zainulabdeen Kh. Al-Musawi, Viktória Vona and István Mihály Kulmány
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1966; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081966
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/8/1966 - “The Role of Ligninolytic Enzymes in Sustainable Agriculture: Applications and Challenges”
by Agnieszka Gałązka, Urszula Jankiewicz and Sławomir Orzechowski
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020451
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/451 - “Agronomy and Environmental Sustainability of the Four Major Global Vegetable Oil Crops: Oil Palm, Soybean, Rapeseed, and Sunflower”
by Denis J. Murphy
Agronomy 2025, 15(6), 1465; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15061465
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1465 - “Microbially Enhanced Biofertilizers: Technologies, Mechanisms of Action, and Agricultural Applications”
by Sylwia Figiel, Piotr Rusek, Urszula Ryszko and Marzena Sylwia Brodowska
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051191
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1191 - “Review—Seed Treatment: Importance, Application, Impact, and Opportunities for Increasing Sustainability”
by Simona Paulikienė, Domas Benesevičius, Kristina Benesevičienė and Tomas Ūksas
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1689; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071689
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1689 - “Turning Waste Wool into a Circular Resource: A Review of Eco-Innovative Applications in Agriculture”
by Francesca Camilli, Marco Focacci, Aldo Dal Prà, Sara Bortolu, Francesca Ugolini, Enrico Vagnoni and Pierpaolo Duce
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020446
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/446 - “Somaclonal Variation and Clonal Fidelity in Commercial Micropropagation: Challenges and Perspectives”
by Sweety Majumder, Abir U. Igamberdiev and Samir C. Debnath
Agronomy 2025, 15(6), 1489; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15061489
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1489 - “Soil Moisture Sensing Technologies: Principles, Applications, and Challenges in Agriculture”
by Danilo Loconsole, Michele Elia, Giulia Conversa, Barbara De Lucia, Giuseppe Cristiano and Antonio Elia
Agronomy 2025, 15(12), 2788; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122788
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/12/2788 - “Unveiling the Multifaceted Roles of Root Exudates: Chemical Interactions, Allelopathy, and Agricultural Applications”
by Alice Zambelli, Fabio Francesco Nocito and Fabrizio Araniti
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040845
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/4/845 - “Climate, Soil, and Microbes: Interactions Shaping Organic Matter Decomposition in Croplands”
by Muhammad Tahir Khan, Skaidrė Supronienė, Renata Žvirdauskienė and Jūratė Aleinikovienė
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1928; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081928
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/8/1928 - “Digital Tools and Decision Support Systems in Agroecology: Benefits, Challenges, and Practical Implementations”
by Dimitra Petraki, Ioannis Gazoulis, Metaxia Kokkini, Marios Danaskos, Panagiotis Kanatas, Andreas Rekkas and Ilias Travlos
Agronomy 2025, 15(1), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010236
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/236 - “Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Root Nodule Formation and Activity”
by Katarzyna Nuc and Przemysław Olejnik
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1552; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071552
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1552 - “Maize Row Spacing and Seeding Rate Informed by Space-per-Plant Geometry”
by Reagan Noland, Michasia Dowdy and Glendon Harris
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020374
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/374
25 May 2026
Meet Us at the 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas, 12–17 July 2026, Cairns, Australia
Conference: 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas
Date: 12–17 July 2026
Location: Cairns, Australia
From 12 to 17 July 2026, MDPI will be attending the 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.
The International Mycorrhiza Society, the umbrella society of the biennial International Conference on Mycorrhiza (ICOM), is dedicated to advancing education, research and development in the field of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Our work is of international significance; our conference attracts delegates from across the globe, with members from over 40 countries and an attendance of 450 to 600 people from academia, government and industry.
We look forward to welcoming you to Cairns for an unforgettable experience at the 13th International Conference on Mycorrhizas!
The following MDPI journals will be represented:
- JoF;
- Plants;
- Microorganisms;
- Agronomy;
- Nitrogen;
- Applied Microbiology;
- Crops;
- Horticulturae;
- IJPB;
- JGBG;
- Life;
- Bacteria;
- Agriculture.
22 May 2026
Meet Us at the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science, 7–12 June 2026, Nanjing, China
Conference: The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science
Date: 7–12 June 2026
Location: Nanjing, China
MDPI will be attending the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science as an exhibitor, and we are welcoming researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.
The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science brings together leading researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world to exchange the latest advances in soil science. The congress focuses on promoting sustainable soil management and addressing key global challenges such as soil health, climate change, land degradation, and ecosystem resilience. It provides a dynamic platform for scientific discussion, knowledge sharing, and interdisciplinary collaboration across all areas of soil research.
The following MDPI journals will be represented:
If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.23wcss.org.cn.
21 May 2026
International Day for Biological Diversity —“Acting Locally for Global Impact”, 22 May 2026
The International Day for Biological Diversity, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity, is celebrated on 22 May. The theme of the 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity is “Acting Locally for Global Impact”. Biodiversity is critical to life—healthy ecosystems provide food, clean water, climate regulation, and disease control, supporting all forms of existence on Earth. Local actions such as restoring habitats, protecting endangered species, and promoting sustainable agriculture collectively generate global benefits for nature and people. However, rapid biodiversity loss continues to undermine these vital contributions, with profound impacts on human well-being and planetary stability. Echoing the mission of protecting biodiversity for a resilient future, established MDPI journals in the Biology&Life Sciences subject serve as platforms for scientific communication, fostering collaboration and innovation in biodiversity conservation to tackle the global nature crisis.


Invited speakers:
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Prof. Dr. Edward L. Braun, Department of Biology, University of Florida, USA |
Dr. Isabel L. Maurício, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal |
Dr. Vittorio Capozzi, Institute of Sciences of Food Production, Italian National Research Council, Italy |
Register for this webinar for free here!

“Distribution Patterns and Habitat Preferences of Five Globally Threatened and Endemic Montane Orthoptera (Parnassiana and Oropodisma)”
by Apostolis Stefanidis, Konstantinos Kougioumoutzis, Konstantina Zografou, Georgios Fotiadis, Luc Willemse, Olga Tzortzakaki and Vassiliki Kati
Ecologies 2025, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6010005
“Spatial Cumulative Assessment of Impact Risk-Implementing Ecosystem-Based Management for Enhanced Sustainability and Biodiversity in the Black Sea”
by Elena Bisinicu, Valeria Abaza, Laura Boicenco, Filimon Adrian, George-Emanuel Harcota, Oana Marin, Andra Oros, Elena Pantea, Alina Spinu, Florin Timofte et al.
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4449; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114449
“Using Citizen Science to Document Biodiversity on a University Campus: A Year-Long Case Study”
by Peter M. Baker, Brendon Samuels and Timothy J. A. Hain
Conservation 2024, 4(3), 533-546; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4030032
“Illegal Activities for Survival: Understanding the Influence of Household Livelihood Security on Biodiversity Conservation in Tanzania”
by Gasto Jerome Lyakurwa, Edwin Sabuhoro and Mercy Chepkemoi Chepkwony
Conservation 2024, 4(3), 339-356; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4030022
“Algal Biodiversity of Nine Megaliths in South-East Bulgaria”
by Maya Stoyneva-Gärtner, Miroslav Androv, Blagoy Uzunov, Kristian Ivanov and Georg Gärtner
Life 2024, 14(8), 948; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14080948
“Shifts in Microbial Community Structure and Co-occurrence Network along a Wide Soil Salinity Gradient”
by Yan Li, Juan Wang, Eryang Li, Xiaodong Yang and Jianjun Yang
Microorganisms 2024, 12(7), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12071268
“Exploring mtDNA Databases to Evaluate the Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of Tursiops truncatus in the Atlantic Ocean: Implications for the Conservation of a Small, Offshore Populatio”
by Gasto Jerome Lyakurwa, Edwin Sabuhoro and Mercy Chepkemoi Chepkwony
Ecologies 2024, 5(2), 170-187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5020011
“Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobium Improve Nutrient Uptake and Microbial Diversity Relative to Dryland Site-Specific Soil Conditions”
by Rosalie B. Calderon and Sadikshya R. Dangi
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040667
“Diversity of Parasitoid Wasps and Comparison of Sampling Strategies in Rice Fields Using Metabarcoding”
by Liyang Wang, Hongxuan Wu, Wei He, Guihong Lai, Junxi Li, Siling Liu and Qiang Zhou
Insects 2024, 15(4), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15040228
“Weed Species’ Diversity and Composition as Shaped by the Interaction of Management, Site, and Soil Variables in Olive Groves of Southern Greece”
by Petros Vahamidis, Demosthenis Chachalis, Antigoni Akrivou, Evangelos Karanasios, Maria Ganopoulou, Apostolia Argiri, Athanasia Mandoulaki, Evangelos Hatzigiannakis, Georgios Arampatzis, Andreas Panagopoulos et al.
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030640
“Opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation via Urban Ecosystem Regeneration”
by Gad Perry and Robert D. Cox
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030131
“Global Subterranean Biodiversity: A Unique Pattern”
by Louis Deharveng, Anne Bedos, Tanja Pipan and David C. Culver
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030157
“Odonata Assemblages in Urban Semi-Natural Wetlands”
by Marina Vilenica, Andreja Brigić, Ana Štih Koren, Toni Koren, Mirela Sertić Perić, Bruno Schmidt, Tomislava Bužan and Sanja Gottstein
Insects 2024, 15(3), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15030207
“The Influence of Sugar Beet Cultivation Technologies on the Intensity and Species Biodiversity of Weeds”
by Barbora Kotlánová, Pavel Hledík, Stanislav Hudec, Petra Martínez Barroso, Magdalena Daria Vaverková, Martin Jiroušek and Jan Winkler
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020390

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“Diversity and Phylogeny of Fungi” |
“Effect of Biological Invasion on Aquatic Ecosystem” |
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“Microbial Diversity in Different Environments” |
“Diversity, Adaptation, and Biogeography of Gastropods” |
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“Island Ecosystems as Natural Laboratories: Biodiversity, Threats, and Conservation Opportunities” |
“Changing Coral Reef Biodiversity and Function in the Anthropocene” |

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21 May 2026
Agronomy | Special Issue Reprints Published in 2025
We are delighted to share with you nine reprints of Special Issues published in 2025 in Agronomy (ISSN: 2073-4395). They were selected by the Agronomy Editorial Office, each with 10 or more articles published. You can read more reprints of the Special Issues published by Agronomy.
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1. “Advances in Crop Molecular Breeding and Genetics” Guest Editors: Zhiyong Li, Chaolei Liu and Jiezheng Ying ISBN 978-3-7258-2910-1 (Hardback) ISBN 978-3-7258-2909-5 (PDF) https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-2909-5 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/10478-advances-in-crop-molecular-breeding-and-genetics |
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2. “Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality” Guest Editors: Mariola Staniak, Ewa Szpunar-Krok and Małgorzata Szostek ISBN 978-3-7258-3646-8 (Hardback) ISBN 978-3-7258-3645-1 (PDF) https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-3645-1 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/10710-conservation-agricultural-practices-for-improving-crop-production-and-quality |
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3. “Plant Tissue Culture and Plant Somatic Embryogenesis” Guest Editors: Justyna Lema-Rumińska, Danuta Kulpa and Alina Trejgell ISBN 978-3-7258-3682-6 (Hardback) ISBN 978-3-7258-3681-9 (PDF) https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-3681-9 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/10784-plant-tissue-culture-and-plant-somatic-embryogenesis |
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4. “Current Research on Hyperspectral and Multispectral Imaging and Their Applications in Precision Agriculture II” Guest Editors: Jinling Zhao and Chuanjian Wang ISBN 978-3-7258-3017-6 (Hardback) ISBN 978-3-7258-3018-3 (PDF) https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-3018-3 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/10879-current-research-on-hyperspectral-and-multispectral-imaging-and-their-applications-in-precision |
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5. “Flowering and Flower Development in Plants” Guest Editors: Jinzhi Zhang and Avi Sadka ISBN 978-3-7258-3801-1 (Hardback) ISBN 978-3-7258-3802-8 (PDF) https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-3802-8 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/10997-flowering-and-flower-development-in-plants |
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6. “It Runs in the Family The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species” Guest Editor: Antonios Chrysargyris ISBN 978-3-7258-4433-3 (Hardback) ISBN 978-3-7258-4434-0 (PDF) https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-4434-0 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/11078-it-runs-in-the-family |
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7. “Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems” Guest Editor: Dirceu Pratissoli ISBN 978-3-7258-4580-4 (Hardback) ISBN 978-3-7258-4579-8 (PDF) https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-4579-8 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/11248-biological-pest-control-in-agroecosystems |
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8. “Climate Change and Agriculture” Guest Editors: Jinlong Dong, Junjie Lin, Yang Yang, Zhongxiu Sun and Nazim Gruda ISBN 978-3-7258-5253-6 (Hardback) ISBN 978-3-7258-5254-3 (PDF) https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-5254-3 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/11550-climate-change-and-agriculture |
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9. “Recent Advances in Legume Crop Protection” Guest Editors: Kai Li, Yu Gao and Zhaofeng Huang ISBN 978-3-7258-5443-1 (Hardback) ISBN 978-3-7258-5444-8 (PDF) https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-5444-8 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/11677-recent-advances-in-legume-crop-protection |
21 May 2026
Meet Us at the 61st Croatian and 21st International Symposium on Agriculture, 31 May–5 June 2026, Brač, Croatia
MDPI will be attending the 61st Croatian and 21st International Symposium on Agriculture in Brač, Croatia, which will take place from 31 May to 5 June 2026. This event is organized by the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer, University of Osijek, and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, in collaboration with numerous esteemed partners. The conference aims to showcase groundbreaking scientific, professional, and educational contributions from both Croatian and international experts, facilitating their effective translation into agricultural practice. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration among scientists from various universities, research institutes, university alliances, and industry specialists—including producers from Croatia, Europe, and around the world—all united by a shared commitment to advancing science and agricultural innovation. If you are attending the conference, please visit our booth; our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have.
The following open access journals will be represented at the conference:
- Agriculture (leading);
- Crops (leading);
- Agronomy;
- Agrochemicals;
- Foods;
- AgriEngineering;
- Life;
- Horticulturae;
- Grasses;
- Poultry;
- Plants.
15 May 2026
Meet Us at the 32nd Intentional Horticultural Congress (IHC2026), 23–28 August 2026, Kyoto, Japan
Conference: The 32nd Intentional Horticultural Congress
Organization: The Japanese Society for Horticultural Science
Date: 23–28 August 2026
Place: The Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto) in Kyoto, Japan
Compared to other agricultural and plant science fields, horticultural science is the field of science that focuses on a great diversity of plants from domesticated plants (crop plants) to wild plants. Furthermore, horticulture covers a wide range of fields from social sciences to medical sciences. It also covers a wide range of professions in the horticultural industry, including scientists, growers, distributors, and marketers.
The theme of IHC2026 is “Exploring the Diversity of Horticulture”, which seeks to highlight the diversity of horticulture and share its applications to contribute to the richness of future human life.
Please come explore with us the integrated science of horticulture, combining social science, natural science, the best in basic agricultural practices, the latest technological advances in robotics, genetics, and applications. From small household operations for local farmer’s markets, to large-scale integrated supply chain management and logistics for global production, the IHC2026 will present the latest horticultural findings, practices, and future directions.
The following MDPI journals will be represented:
- Plants;
- Horticulturae;
- Agronomy;
- Agriculture;
- Life;
- International Journal of Plant Biology (IJPB);
- Seeds.
If you are attending this conference, please feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.
12 May 2026
International Day of Plant Health—“Plant Biosecurity for Food Security”, 12 May 2026
Observed annually on 12 May, the International Day of Plant Health is a United Nations initiative that calls global attention to the critical role of healthy plants and the urgent need to protect them from pests and diseases. The theme for 2026, “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security”, positions plant biosecurity as the first line of defense for the world’s food systems.
As a committed academic partner in plant protection, crop science, microbiology, and sustainable agriculture, MDPI leverages its open‑access publishing platform to disseminate cutting‑edge research. On the International Day of Plant Health 2026, MDPI journals in in the Biology & Life Sciences actively supports cross‑disciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange on plant health, crop biosecurity, and food systems by showcasing relevant articles, Special Issues, and journals. Our goal is to help strengthen phytosanitary capacities across countries and regions, thereby building a solid barrier for the security and stability of global food supply chains.

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“Plant Hormone Regulation of Competitive Growth: Implications for Agriculture and Inclusive Fitness”
by Jasmina Kurepa and Jan A. Smalle
Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5020024
“Genomic and Phylogenetic Evidence for a Novel Emaravirus Infecting Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Amazonas, Peru”
by Angel F. Huaman-Pilco, Nicola Fiore, Oscar P. Hurtado-Gonzales, Larissa Carvalho Costa, Xiaojun Hu, Manuel Oliva-Cruz, Jorge R. Díaz-Valderrama and Alan Zamorano
Int. J. Plant Biol. 2025, 16(4), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb16040142
“Linking Soil Microbial Functional Profiles to Fungal Disease Resistance in Winter Barley Under Different Fertilisation Regimes”
by Mariana Petkova, Petar Chavdarov and Stefan Shilev
Plants 2025, 14(20), 3199; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203199
“Antioxidant Defense Systems in Plants: Mechanisms, Regulation, and Biotechnological Strategies for Enhanced Oxidative Stress Tolerance”
by Faustina Barbara Cannea and Alessandra Padiglia
Life 2025, 15(8), 1293; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081293
“Deciphering Cowpea Resistance to Potyvirus: Assessment of eIF4E Gene Mutations and Their Impact on the eIF4E-VPg Protein Interaction”
by Fernanda Alves de Andrade, Madson Allan de Luna-Aragão, José Diogo Cavalcanti Ferreira, Fernanda Freitas Souza, Ana Carolina da Rocha Oliveira, Antônio Félix da Costa, Francisco José Lima Aragão, Carlos André dos Santos-Silva, Ana Maria Benko-Iseppon and Valesca Pandolfi
Viruses 2025, 17(8), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17081050
“Unlocking Plant Resilience: Metabolomic Insights into Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crops”
by Agata Głuchowska, Bartłomiej Zieniuk and Magdalena Pawełkowicz
Metabolites 2025, 15(6), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15060384
“Microbially Enhanced Biofertilizers: Technologies, Mechanisms of Action, and Agricultural Applications”
by Sylwia Figiel, Piotr Rusek, Urszula Ryszko and Marzena Sylwia Brodowska
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051191
“Effective Strategies for Managing Wheat Diseases: Mapping Academic Literature Utilizing VOSviewer and Insights from Our 15 Years of Research”
by Ioannis Vagelas
Agrochemicals 2025, 4(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/agrochemicals4010004
“Humic Substances: Bridging Ecology and Agriculture for a Greener Future”
by Angela Maffia, Mariateresa Oliva, Federica Marra, Carmelo Mallamaci, Serenella Nardi and Adele Muscolo
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020410
“Plant Biostimulants to Enhance Abiotic Stress Resilience in Crops”
by Luciana Di Sario, Patricia Boeri, José Tomás Matus and Gastón A. Pizzio
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031129
“ROS, an Important Plant Growth Regulator in Root Growth and Development: Functional Genes and Mechanism”
by Jialin Su, Yumei Liu, Fengqing Han, Fuxin Gao, Fangyi Gan, Ke Huang and Zhansheng Li
Biology 2024, 13(12), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121033
“Exploring the Origins of Hexaploid Wheats: Typification of Archaeological Triticum vulgare var. antiquorum and Description of Modern Triticum sphaerococcum subsp. antiquorum (Poaceae: Triticeae)”
by Diego Rivera, Pedro Pablo Ferrer-Gallego, Concepción Obón, Francisco Alcaraz, Emilio Laguna and Nikolay P. Goncharov
Taxonomy 2024, 4(4), 780-794; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4040042
“Cadmium Stress Signaling Pathways in Plants: Molecular Responses and Mechanisms”
by Valentina Vitelli, Agnese Giamborino, Andrea Bertolini, Alessandro Saba and Andrea Andreucci
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(6), 6052-6068; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46060361

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“Plant Health in the Context of Fungal and Other Microbial Threats: Systematics, Pathogenesis and Integrated Management” |
“Fungal Diseases of Cereals” |
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“Plant Life: Integrating Multi-Omic Approaches from Molecules to Environment” |
“Plant Stress Resilience: Unveiling Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies” |
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“Biological Control: Insect-Plant Interactions for Sustainable Pest Management” |
“Monitoring, Management and Ecotoxicological Implications of Plant Fungal Disease Control” |
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The 3rd International Online Conference on Agriculture
Click here to read the full list of papers. |

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