Innovative Approaches for Crop Improvement and Sustainable Management of Plant Disease in the Post-genomic Era

Dear Colleagues,

As the increasing food demand and climate changes are the main challenges facing agriculture, there is an urgent need to find new solutions for a sustainable crops development. In this scenario, new molecular approaches and biotechnology tools for better production, improved nutrient content and disease resistance crops are needed. In this context, we wish to point out the importance of two aspects: (1) the key role of developmental biology into crop domestication and production efficiency improvement (2) the crop protection against pathogens with low-impact solutions. As regards the first aspect, genetic improvement will benefit from the isolation and characterization of the genes involved in traits such as the shape and size of the plant organs, the architecture of the plant, the duration of the crop cycle and the increased tolerance to abiotic stresses. For the second topic, it will be essential to identify and characterize target genes involved in the host/pathogen interactions. Furthermore, as demonstrated in various occasions, developmental genetics and the host's response to harmful organisms can be related phenomena.

This Special Issue calls for original research articles, short communications, and review articles in all areas of sustainable management and crop improvement by innovative biotechnological strategies.

Dr. Claudio Pugliesi
Dr. Marco Fambrini
Dr. Susanna Pecchia
Guest Editors

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