Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.1
3.0
Journals
Horticulturae
Special Issues
Quality Control and Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in the Post-Genomic...
share announcement

Quality Control and Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in the Post-Genomic Era

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: 28 November 2025 | Viewed by 4393

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Huasen Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agriculture University, Qingdao 266109, China
Interests: molecular biology of vegetables; vegetable growth and development; ideotype; sex differentiation; plant biotic and abiotic stresses; mineral element absorption
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yanting Zhao

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
Interests: secondary metabolism of vegetables; nutrition and quality of vegetables; molecular biology of vegetables
Dr. Na Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Vegetables, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
2. College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agriculture University, Qingdao 266109, China
Interests: functional genomics of vegetables; vegetable growth and development; vegetable biotic and abiotic stresses

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Horticultural plants, including fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops, contain many health-promoting substances and play a vital role in sustaining human life. Among them, fruit and vegetable crops are main sources of nutrition, and some of them are staple foods for human health. With the worsening global environment, the fast growth of the global population and the improvement in people's living standards, the market demand for high-quantity and high-quality fruit is expanding dramatically. The conventional breeding practices for horticultural plant improvement are far from meeting the demands of the times, especially with the declining genetic base and the crossing of barriers in wild and cultivated species. In the post-genomic era，improving the quality of horticultural crops can be achieved through various methods, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS)，multi-omics integrated analysis, functional genomics, and gene-editing technologies. It is worth noting that phenotypic identification is an indispensable foundation for gene function research in the post-genomic era. Through phenotypic identification, gene functions can be accurately determined and validated, enabling genomic information to be effectively translated into practical biological and agricultural applications.

This Special Issue on “Quality Control and Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in the Post-Genomic Era” welcomes the submission of review and research papers or short communications on the following topics: crop traits, quality，metabolism, biotic stress, and abiotic stress. The identification of traits, gene mapping, multi-omics and bioinformatics analyses on both genes or transcript factors, and function verification in horticultural crops are sought after. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide new key genes and valuable reference genes for revealing molecular regulation mechanisms of horticultural crop quality through the advanced technologies of molecular genetics.

Prof. Dr. Huasen Wang
Dr. Yanting Zhao
Dr. Na 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

  • horticultural plants
  • genome-wide identification
  • expression analysis
  • genetic improvement

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 (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 10206 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Transcriptomics, Hormone Metabolomics, and Physiological Analysis Reveal the Mechanism of Exogenous GA4+7 Breaking the Seed Dormancy in Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua
by Mi Qiu, Jionglan Wan, Chunxiang Hao, Zixin Zeng, Yalong Hu, Guoqun Yang, Hua Yang and Xiaoyun Zhou
Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060627 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 452
Abstract
Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (P. cyrtonema) is a medicinal plant with high pharmaceutical value. Due to morphological and physiological dormancy mechanisms in P. cyrtonema seeds, natural germination rates remain exceptionally low. This biological constraint necessitates the development of protocols to shorten germination timelines and [...] Read more.
Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (P. cyrtonema) is a medicinal plant with high pharmaceutical value. Due to morphological and physiological dormancy mechanisms in P. cyrtonema seeds, natural germination rates remain exceptionally low. This biological constraint necessitates the development of protocols to shorten germination timelines and improve germination efficiency, which are critical requirements for advancing P. cyrtonema breeding programs. In this study, exogenous gibberellin A4 + A7 (GA4+7) was applied to break dormancy in P. cyrtonema seeds. Transcriptomic, hormone metabolomic, and physiological analyses were then employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Germination tests revealed that 50 mg·L−1 GA4+7 was the optimal concentration to break dormancy in P. cyrtonema seeds. Transcriptome analysis indicated that exogenous GA4+7 induced the expression of genes involved in GA and ABA biosynthesis and signaling. A total of 19 differential hormone metabolites were identified through hormone metabolomics, with significantly increased levels of active GA1 and GA4, but decreased levels of ABA content. These findings were consistent with the up-regulation of transcript levels of GA biosynthesis-related genes and the down-regulation of ABA biosynthesis-related genes, which resulted in an increase in active GA/ABA ratio. At the same time, it was found that exogenous GA4+7 treatment induced sucrose and starch metabolism and pectin catabolic pathways. We measured the relevant physiological indicators and found that the content of soluble sugar and α-amylase activity increased, but the pectin content decreased. These findings establish a theoretical foundation for applying GA4+7 in the standardized production of P. cyrtonema, particularly for accelerating breeding cycles in medicinal germplasm development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality Control and Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in the Post-Genomic Era)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 4733 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Analysis and Expression Profiling of Watermelon VQ Motif-Containing Genes Under Abiotic and Biotic Stresses
by Yanjun He, Jia Shen, Xinyang Xu and Weisong Shou
Horticulturae 2025, 11(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11010081 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 807
Abstract
Valine-glutamine (VQ) motif-containing proteins play important roles in diverse plant developmental processes and signal transduction in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, no systematic investigation has been conducted on VQ genes in watermelon. In this study, we identified 31 watermelon VQ genes, [...] Read more.
Valine-glutamine (VQ) motif-containing proteins play important roles in diverse plant developmental processes and signal transduction in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, no systematic investigation has been conducted on VQ genes in watermelon. In this study, we identified 31 watermelon VQ genes, which were classified into six subfamilies (I–VI). All of the deduced proteins contained a conserved FxxxVQxL/F/VTG motif. Eleven ClVQs were involved in segment duplication, which was the main factor in the expansion of the VQ family in watermelon. Numerous stress- and hormone-responsive cis-elements were detected in the putative promoter region of the ClVQ genes. Green fluorescent protein fusion proteins for ten selected ClVQs were localized in the nucleus, but three ClVQs also showed signals in cell membranes and the cell wall, thus confirming their predicted divergent functionality. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that the majority of ClVQ genes were specifically or preferentially expressed in certain tissues or organs, especially in the male flower. Analyses of RNA-sequencing data under osmotic, cold, and drought stresses and Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) infection revealed that the majority of ClVQ genes, especially those from subfamily IV, were responsive to these stresses. The results provide useful information for the functional characterization of watermelon ClVQ genes to unravel their biological roles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality Control and Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in the Post-Genomic Era)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 5019 KiB  
Article
A SMALL AUXIN UP-REGULATED RNA Gene Isolated from Watermelon (ClSAUR1) Positively Modulates the Chilling Stress Response in Tobacco via Multiple Signaling Pathways
by Duo Wang, Gangli Ma, Jia Shen, Xinyang Xu, Weisong Shou, Zhengying Xuan and Yanjun He
Horticulturae 2025, 11(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11010052 - 7 Jan 2025
Viewed by 728
Abstract
SMALL AUXIN UP-REGULATED RNA (SAURs) genes are acknowledged as auxin-responsive genes that play crucial roles in modulating adaptive growth under abiotic stress conditions. Low temperatures constitute a primary limiting factor that significantly impairs the development, growth, and fruit quality of watermelon [...] Read more.
SMALL AUXIN UP-REGULATED RNA (SAURs) genes are acknowledged as auxin-responsive genes that play crucial roles in modulating adaptive growth under abiotic stress conditions. Low temperatures constitute a primary limiting factor that significantly impairs the development, growth, and fruit quality of watermelon plants during the winter and spring seasons. Despite their potential importance, SAURs have not yet been thoroughly investigated or characterized in watermelon. In this study, we identified a positive regulator of the chilling stress response among watermelon SAURs, designated as ClSAUR1. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that the protein is directed to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that ClSAUR1 is ubiquitously expressed across various watermelon tissues, with pronounced expression in the roots and leaves. Moreover, qRT-PCR and promoter::β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining assays revealed that the expression of ClSAUR1 is significantly upregulated in response to exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and chilling stress. The overexpression of ClSAUR1 in tobacco lines was contrasted and analyzed, revealing an increased tolerance to chilling stress. This was evidenced by a reduced degree of wilting and chlorosis compared to wild-type (WT) plants. Furthermore, the overexpressed lines showed reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. The qRT-PCR results further indicated that the expression levels of genes associated with abscisic acid (ABA), antioxidant enzymes, and CBF–COR cold-responsive pathways were upregulated in the transgenic tobacco lines. This study provides new insights into the role of ClSAURs in enhancing the cold resistance of watermelon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality Control and Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in the Post-Genomic Era)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3081 KiB  
Article
Profiling Metabolites Distribution among Various Leaf Layers of Chinese Cabbage
by Yanting Zhao, Huasen Wang, Ying Mei, Zhichen Yue, Juanli Lei, Peng Tao, Biyuan Li, Jianjun Zhao and Qizan Hu
Horticulturae 2024, 10(9), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10090988 - 18 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1305
Abstract
Chinese cabbage is an important vegetable from both a nutritional and an economic standpoint, with the leafy head serving as the primary harvested organ. However, the nutrient accumulation as well as influencing factors within the leafy head have not yet been elucidated. Thus, [...] Read more.
Chinese cabbage is an important vegetable from both a nutritional and an economic standpoint, with the leafy head serving as the primary harvested organ. However, the nutrient accumulation as well as influencing factors within the leafy head have not yet been elucidated. Thus, the distribution of metabolites (soluble sugars, minerals, carotenoids, vitamin C, flavonoid compounds, glucosinolates, and total phenolic compounds) were investigated in different leaf layers of Chinese cabbage with varying head types. The results showed that the inner leaves consistently displayed markedly higher levels of fructose and glucose when contrasted with the outer leaves. Similarly, there was an accumulation of glucosinolates in the inner leaves. By contrast, however, the antioxidants content exhibited a consistent decline from the outer leaves towards the central core, in line with the diminishing antioxidant capacity. This descending trend was also apparent in the mineral content, encompassing calcium, sodium, magnesium and sulfur. These results will provide dietary instruction, especially for consumers who have particular dietary needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality Control and Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in the Post-Genomic Era)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 663 KiB  
Review
Crosstalk of Abscisic Acid with Other Hormones and Signaling Molecules in Tomato Cold Stress Tolerance
by Fei Ding, Xiulan Fan, Rongrong Tian, Meiling Wang and Zhihong Sun
Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060647 - 6 Jun 2025
Viewed by 674
Abstract
Cold stress adversely impacts tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production, particularly in temperate regions, by impairing growth, development, and yield. Abscisic acid (ABA), a key phytohormone, plays a central role in mediating tomato’s response to cold stress through a complex crosstalk network with [...] Read more.
Cold stress adversely impacts tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production, particularly in temperate regions, by impairing growth, development, and yield. Abscisic acid (ABA), a key phytohormone, plays a central role in mediating tomato’s response to cold stress through a complex crosstalk network with other hormones and signaling molecules. This review examines ABA’s interactions with hormones such as ethylene, jasmonates, auxin, gibberellins, salicylic acid, brassinosteroids, and strigolactones, as well as signaling molecules like hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, and calcium. These interactions regulate various physiological processes, including osmolyte accumulation, membrane stability, and oxidative stress mitigation, and influence the expression of cold-responsive genes, such as CBFs, COR, and LEA. Critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly in understanding ABA’s context-specific interactions with other hormones and the integration of calcium signaling with ABA pathways under cold stress. By synthesizing current research, this review enhances our understanding of tomato’s cold stress response and provides insights for genetically improving cold tolerance, supporting sustainable tomato production amid climate challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality Control and Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in the Post-Genomic Era)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop