Next-Generation Breeding of Fruit Trees: Integrating Genome Editing, Tissue Culture, and Genomics for Enhanced Cultivar Development
A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 March 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: Molecular biology; gene expression; abiotic stress; olive; plant biotechnology; plant physiology; phenotyping; genotyping; GWAS study
Interests: Plant Biotechnology; Gene Editing; Molecular Biology; Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance; Transformation (Genetics); Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques; Mutation Breeding; Crop Physiology; Horticulture
Interests: Viticulture; Vine; Grapevine varieties; Orchard Systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Global climate change presents significant challenges to fruit tree cultivation, necessitating the development of novel genotypes with enhanced resistance to various environmental stresses. Traditional breeding approaches in woody perennial species are often hampered by prolonged juvenile phases, which substantially delay the introduction of improved cultivars.
Recent advances in plant biotechnology have accelerated the genetic improvement of fruit trees. Innovations in tissue culture have enabled efficient regeneration protocols, even for recalcitrant species. Furthermore, the advent of novel plant transformation techniques and genome-editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas systems, has markedly reduced the time required to develop new genotypes compared to conventional crossbreeding methods. These biotechnological tools facilitate precise genetic modifications, enabling the rapid incorporation of desirable traits, including stress tolerance, disease resistance, and improved fruit quality.
This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research in the genetic improvement of fruit trees, with a particular focus on the following topics:
- Genome editing and transformation technologies for trait enhancement.
- Advancements in tissue culture and regeneration protocols for difficult-to-transform species.
- Genomic selection and marker-assisted breeding strategies.
- Integration of biotechnological and conventional breeding approaches to accelerate cultivar development.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and case studies that highlight recent progress and prospects in the application of breeding, gene editing, and biotechnology for the improvement of fruit tree species.
Dr. Ivano Forgione
Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Bashir
Prof. Dr. Antonino Pisciotta
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
- fruit tree breeding
- genome editing
- CRISPR/Cas
- plant transformation
- tissue culture
- genetic improvement
- genomic selection
- marker-assisted selection
- biotechnology
- stress resistance
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