Advances in Citrus Physiology and Molecular Biology: From Genes to Orchard Performance

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 November 2025 | Viewed by 74

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Horticultural Sciences Department, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), University of Florida, Immokalee, FL 34142-9515, USA
Interests: horticulture; citrus physiology; nursery propagation; seed physiology; scion-rootstock field performance; fruit maturation and quality; postharvest handling and storage

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Horticultural Sciences Department, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), University of Florida, Immokalee, FL 34142-9515, USA
Interests: horticulture; citrus physiology; hormonal regulation of citrus fruit abscission; citrus tree health; fruit maturation and quality; postharvest technology; fruit senescence

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Embrapa Cassava & Fruits, Cruz das Almas 44380-000, Brazil
Interests: horticulture; Citrus spp.; scion-rootstock genotype; citrus physiology; citrus cultural practices

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina—UEL, Londrina 86057-970, Brazil
Interests: sweet orange; citrus; rootstock; agronomic performance; fruit production; fruit quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Citrus crops are among the most widely cultivated fruit trees worldwide, playing a critical role in food security, human nutrition, and economic development across diverse agroecosystems. However, the sustainability and productivity of the citrus industry are increasingly challenged by environmental stresses, pathogens, pests, and changing climate conditions.

To address these pressing issues, a deeper understanding of citrus physiology, from molecular signaling pathways to field-level performance, is needed. This Special Issue of Horticulturae aims to showcase cutting-edge research that unravels the complex biological processes driving citrus growth, development, and stress responses.

We invite contributions that bridge fundamental and applied research, combining insights in gene expression, hormonal regulation, and defense mechanisms with physiological responses observed in controlled and field environments. Studies that integrate molecular tools with practical agronomic strategies are especially encouraged, offering valuable guidance for growers, breeders, and researchers. Research focusing on specific aspects within this spectrum is equally encouraged. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and short communications on, but not limited to, the following topics:

  • Effects of rootstock–scion combinations on citrus physiology and yield;
  • Citrus responses to abiotic and biotic stresses;
  • Resistance mechanisms and defense signaling pathways in citrus;
  • Hormonal control of growth, flowering, and fruit development in citrus;
  • Impact of cultural practices (e.g., irrigation, fertilization, pruning) on citrus growth and productivity;
  • Advances and innovations in citrus production systems;
  • Strategies for integrated management of citrus pests and diseases;
  • Sustainable practices to improve citrus production and resource use efficiency;
  • Physiology of fruit maturation, postharvest quality, and storage;
  • Field studies on yield, tree performance, and physiological traits;
  • Genetic and biotechnological tools to improve citrus stress tolerance and productivity

Dr. Deived Uilian De Carvalho
Dr. Fernando Alferez
Dr. Eduardo Augusto Girardi
Dr. Maria Aparecida Da Cruz Bejatto
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

  • citrus physiology
  • abiotic stress tolerance
  • biotic stress resistance
  • hormonal regulation
  • rootstock–scion interaction
  • sustainable citrus production
  • postharvest quality
  • crop management practices
  • molecular biology of citrus
  • 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

This special issue is now open for submission.
Back to TopTop