Breeding Forage and Bioenergy Grasses for Enhanced Productivity and Stress Resistance

Dear Colleagues,

In the face of a growing global population and increasing demand for food, feed, and energy, the development of forage and bioenergy grasses with enhanced productivity and stress resistance has become a crucial task for agricultural scientists and breeders. These grasses play a vital role in sustainable agriculture, providing high-quality forage for livestock, as well as a renewable source of energy through biomass production. However, they can face various environmental stresses, such as drought, heat, salinity, and diseases, which can significantly reduce their productivity and quality. To address these challenges, breeding programs for improving the genetic potential of forage and bioenergy grasses are urgently needed. This Special Issue, titled “Breeding Forage and Bioenergy Grasses for Enhanced Productivity and Stress Resistance,” will bring together the latest research and advancements in this field, highlighting innovative breeding strategies, genetic and genomic tools, and field evaluation methods that contribute to the development of superior grass varieties. We invite researchers, breeders, and practitioners to submit original research articles, review papers, and short communications on the following topics:

• Genetic and Genomic Resources: Exploring and utilizing genetic diversity in forage and bioenergy grasses, as well as identifying key genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with productivity and stress resistance;
• Breeding Strategies and Techniques: Conventional and modern breeding approaches, including hybridization, selection, marker-assisted breeding, and genome editing, as well as the development of breeding populations and germplasm with improved traits;
• Phenotyping and Field Evaluation: High-throughput phenotyping platforms and methods for assessing productivity, biomass yield, forage quality, and stress tolerance in field conditions, as well as the establishment of field trials and experimental designs;
• Stress Physiology and Adaptation Mechanisms: Understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying stress resistance in forage and bioenergy grasses, as well as elucidating plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses.

Dr. Chen Lin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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