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Plant Reproductive Genetics and Genomics in Crop Breeding

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 529

Editor


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Guest Editor
Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Revolución, Uruapan 60150, Michoacán, Mexico
Interests: genetics and heredity; agronomy; maize breeding

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the most important stages in crop production is plant reproduction, specifically the effective period of fruit or grain filling, which determines final yield. Plant reproduction is also used to develop genotypes with greater adaptation to restrictive conditions, water efficiency, and tolerance to pests and diseases, as well as higher yield and quality. In general, understanding the genetic patterns and frequencies involved in plant reproduction allows us to leverage and improve the expression of traits of anthropocentric importance.

This Special Issue, entitled “Plant Reproductive Genetics and Genomics in Crop Breeding,” highlights advances in the molecular mechanisms controlling reproductive success. We invite original articles and comprehensive reviews that connect reproductive biology with crop genetic improvement.

We invite you to contribute your outstanding research results to this journal, fostering understanding and replication of scientific innovations that can ensure the future of agriculture worldwide.

Dr. Alejandro Garcia Ramirez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • genetics
  • heredity
  • agronomy
  • maize breeding

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 10372 KB  
Article
Structural Characterization and Expression Profiling of Ethylene Biosynthetic Genes During AgNO3-Induced Sex Reversal in Bitter Gourd
by Da Zhang, Kanghua Du, Zhong Dan, Xiaomei Li, Lingfeng Bao, Guangping Chen, Jie Jin, Jixian Ma and Wanfu Mu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(13), 5980; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27135980 - 3 Jul 2026
Viewed by 287
Abstract
Ethylene biosynthetic enzymes, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO), participate in the floral sex differentiation of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia). However, the relationship between their structural features and developmental expression patterns remains to be further clarified. In this study, [...] Read more.
Ethylene biosynthetic enzymes, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO), participate in the floral sex differentiation of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia). However, the relationship between their structural features and developmental expression patterns remains to be further clarified. In this study, eight McACS and five McACO genes were identified using the Dali-11 reference genome. AlphaFold 3-based modeling showed structural differences between the two families, particularly regarding the diverse C-terminal flexibilities of McACS proteins. Targeted qRT-PCR profiling during the critical 1.0–3.0 mm early floral bud stage revealed that McACS7, a structurally stable Type III member, along with McACS1, McACS12, and McACO2, were significantly upregulated during natural female flower development. Furthermore, treatment with silver nitrate (AgNO3), an ethylene perception inhibitor, suppressed the transcription of these synthesis genes to basal levels and induced hermaphroditic flower formation. Instead of fully elucidating the downstream molecular mechanisms, these findings provide robust candidate-gene evidence and transcriptional profiling that link the ethylene biosynthetic machinery to the chemically induced sex reversal process, thereby laying a solid foundation for future functional characterization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Reproductive Genetics and Genomics in Crop Breeding)
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