Advancement in Genetics, Biotechnology and Breeding of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Crops

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: 13 March 2026 | Viewed by 1641

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Interests: Litchi; longan; grape; Calcium; photosynthesis; carbohydrates; water relation; shoot growth cycle; flowering; fruit development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Interests: tropical and subtropical; fruit flowering regulation; shoot development; bud domancy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fruit trees are among the most economically significant crops globally, and research on these trees is carried out worldwide. However, compared with temperate deciduous fruit trees, the study of tropical and subtropical fruit trees remains relatively limited, despite their unique biological characteristics. For instance, most tropical and subtropical fruit trees are classified as evergreen, and their shoots can grow multiple times a year without substantial changes in their growth cycles. This phenomenon is a result of long-term natural selection and evolution. In recent years, an increasing number of tropical and subtropical evergreen fruit trees, such as bananas, citrus, litchi, and longan, have attracted considerable research interest. 

This Special Issue, titled “Advancement in Genetics, Biotechnology And Breeding of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Crops”, aims to present the latest research developments in the field, reported by researchers from around the globe. We welcome innovative articles pertaining to any aspect of tropical or subtropical fruit tree research. 

Yours faithfully,
Prof. Dr. Xuming Huang
Dr. Renfang Zeng
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

  • tropical and subtropical fruit
  • breeding
  • genetics
  • fruit growth and development
  • developmental biology
  • molecular biology techniques

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

13 pages, 1803 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Polyploid Embryoid Lines Induced via Unfertilized Ovule Culture of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)
by Shuming Wang, Tingting Ruan, Yin Zhang, Peng Wang, Jiangbo Dang, Yan Xia, Danlong Jing, Guolu Liang, Qigao Guo and Qiao He
Horticulturae 2025, 11(7), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11070727 - 23 Jun 2025
Viewed by 335
Abstract
Polyploidy plays a significant role in loquat breeding, particularly in triploid breeding for seedless fruit production. Currently, loquat polyploid breeding primarily relies on natural seedling selection and sexual hybridization approaches. In this study, unfertilized ovules from four loquat varieties were in vitro cultured. [...] Read more.
Polyploidy plays a significant role in loquat breeding, particularly in triploid breeding for seedless fruit production. Currently, loquat polyploid breeding primarily relies on natural seedling selection and sexual hybridization approaches. In this study, unfertilized ovules from four loquat varieties were in vitro cultured. Gynogenesis and embryoid regeneration were achieved in ‘Xingning 1’ and ‘Huabai 1’, with ‘Xingning 1’ demonstrating the highest gynogenesis efficiency (21.63%). Flow cytometry and chromosome counting revealed that the obtained embryoid lines included haploid, diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid, and chimeric ploidy types. Further characterization of ‘Xingning 1’-derived embryoid lines through SSR markers and whole-genome resequencing confirmed that the haploid, diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploidy embryoid originated from haploid–somatic chimeras, diploid, doubled diploid and tripled diploid, respectively. Metabolic analysis showed a positive correlation between ploidy level and the content of both soluble sugars and organic acids. This study explored a novel platform for polyploid induction in loquat and may provide methodological insights for improvement of other perennial fruit trees. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4161 KiB  
Article
Genotypic Performance of Coffea canephora at Transitional Altitudes for Climate-Resilient Coffee Cultivation
by Renan Baptista Jordaim, Tafarel Victor Colodetti, Wagner Nunes Rodrigues, Rodrigo Amaro de Salles, José Francisco Teixeira do Amaral, Laiane Silva Maciel, Fábio Luiz Partelli, José Cochicho Ramalho and Marcelo Antonio Tomaz
Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060595 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 531
Abstract
The Coffea canephora market has grown significantly, driven by its economic relevance and improvements in beverage quality. Developing varieties adapted to local edaphoclimatic conditions is essential for supporting smallholder farmers, increasing productivity, and ensuring quality in the face of environmental challenges. This study [...] Read more.
The Coffea canephora market has grown significantly, driven by its economic relevance and improvements in beverage quality. Developing varieties adapted to local edaphoclimatic conditions is essential for supporting smallholder farmers, increasing productivity, and ensuring quality in the face of environmental challenges. This study evaluated 27 genotypes under two irrigation regimes using a split-plot design in a completely randomized block arrangement, with four replicates and three plants per plot. Growth and yield parameters were assessed. Genotypes 102, 103, 105, 106, 202, 209, 301, 303, and 305 showed significantly higher yields under full irrigation—up to 60% greater than under minimal irrigation—demonstrating strong responsiveness to water availability. In contrast, genotypes 203 and 206 performed better under minimal irrigation, with 29% higher yields, suggesting lower water requirements or greater drought tolerance. These findings highlight the potential for selecting genotypes suited to transitional altitudes that can benefit from targeted irrigation strategies. The combined use of irrigation and altitude-specific cultivation represents a viable and necessary approach to maximizing genetic potential, optimizing water use, and enhancing the sustainability of C. canephora cultivation in regions facing climate variability. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4567 KiB  
Article
Characterization of SPL Family Genes in Banana Reveals the Critical Role of MaSPL1 in Regulating Fruit Ripening
by Bo Wang, Tongxin Dou, Ou Sheng, Weidi He, Guiming Deng, Fangcheng Bi, Chunyu Li, Tao Dong, Qiaosong Yang, Chunhua Hu, Huijun Gao, Siwen Liu, Cancan Liu, Jihong Liu, Ganjun Yi and Yaoyao Li
Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060576 - 23 May 2025
Viewed by 511
Abstract
SPLs (SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like) are pivotal in regulating plant development and stress responses. Although SPL genes have been characterized in a series of plant species, no systematic analysis has been performed on bananas, one of the most consumed tropical fruits with immense [...] Read more.
SPLs (SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like) are pivotal in regulating plant development and stress responses. Although SPL genes have been characterized in a series of plant species, no systematic analysis has been performed on bananas, one of the most consumed tropical fruits with immense economic importance worldwide. Here, 55 putative MaSPL genes were identified in Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis var. Pahang and classified into seven groups based on phylogenetic analysis. The RNA-seq analysis revealed that the expression of MaSPLs presented distinct spatiotemporal patterns in different tissues at different developmental stages, indicating a potential role in banana growth and development. Furthermore, MaSPL1 was found to be predominantly expressed in banana fruits during the fruit development and the early postharvest stages. Notably, the transient overexpression of MaSPL1 accelerated the fruit ripening in bananas. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive information for further investigation of the specific roles of SPL genes in banana developmental processes, particularly during fruit development and post-harvest stages, and may implement molecular strategies to regulate maturation and enhance fruit quality in bananas. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop