Breeding and Production Practices for Root Vegetables and Tubers
A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Genetics, Genomics, Breeding, and Biotechnology (G2B2)".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 7
Special Issue Editors
Interests: tuber vegetables; abiotic stress; farming system optimization; molecular mechanism
Interests: genetics and breeding of vegetable crops; applied genomics; germplasm enhancement and utilization; biotechnology of vegetable crops
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Root vegetables and tubers, including potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, cassava, and yams, are vital components of global food systems, providing essential nutrients and calories to millions worldwide. Despite their agricultural and economic significance, these crops face challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, pest pressures, and evolving consumer demands. This Special Issue aims to explore innovative strategies in breeding and production practices to enhance the resilience, yield, and sustainability of root and tuber crops.
We invite contributions that address advancements in genetic improvement (e.g., marker-assisted selection, CRISPR/Cas9, and hybridization), agronomic practices (e.g., precision agriculture, water-use efficiency, and integrated nutrient management), and post-harvest technologies to reduce losses. Submissions may also focus on climate-smart breeding for drought, heat, or salinity tolerance, as well as biofortification to address micronutrient deficiencies. Additionally, we encourage studies on sustainable production systems, including topics such as organic farming, agroecological approaches, and the role of soil microbiome health in tuber development.
This issue will highlight interdisciplinary research bridging genomics, physiology, and agronomy, with an emphasis on translating laboratory discoveries into field applications. We welcome original research, reviews, and case studies that address gaps in knowledge, promote resource-efficient practices, and foster resilience in diverse agroecological zones. By compiling cutting-edge research, this Special Issue seeks to support global food security and empower stakeholders—from breeders to policymakers—to meet the demands of a growing population while safeguarding environmental health.
Dr. Yichen Kang
Prof. Dr. Liwang Liu
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- root vegetable breeding
- tuber crop resilience
- climate-smart agriculture
- sustainable agronomy
- biofortification
- genetic diversity
- soil health management
- post-harvest technologies
- disease resistance
- precision farming
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