Reproductive Biology of Mediterranean, Subtropical and Tropical Crops

Dear Colleagues,

The challenge of feeding an increasing world population demands an increase in food production. The conversion of a flower in a fruit, and ovules into seeds, is a process mediated by pollen–pistil interaction. This interaction is often made possible by efficient pollen transport by insects, more rarely by other animals and by abiotic vectors such as wind and water. The reproductive biology of crops determines in most cases fruit production, size and quality, although parthenocarpic seedless fruits are also becoming increasingly attractive to consumers. Whatever the case, while the reproductive biology of temperate-zone crops has been well known for decades, an emerging complexity arises for Mediterranean, subtropical and tropical crops that were often neglected in the past. The remarkable improvement in fruit and vegetable production in countries located between the tropics suggests better knowledge on the reproductive biology of these crops (including vegetables and fruit trees) deserves better diffusion by means of a dedicated Special Issue. For this reason, we call on researchers worldwide, especially those from areas where these crops are produced, to submit their investigations as manuscripts to this Special Issue on Reproductive Biology of Mediterranean, Subtropical and Tropical Crops. Topics of interest include pollen transport, pollinator behavior, pollen–pistil interaction, flower induction and development, and reproductive systems such as self-incompatibility, dichogamy, herkogamy, distily and tristily and parthenocarpy; cutting-edge research that expands our knowledge of the processes involved in the conversion of a flower in food is most welcome.

Prof. Dr. Julián Cuevas González
Prof. Dr. Virginia Pinillos
Guest Editors

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