Molecular Research and Insights in Rapeseed Abiotic Stress
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: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 679
Editor
Interests: plant abiotic stress physiology; phytohormone signaling; molecular mechanisms of drought and heavy metal tolerance; nano‑biotechnology in agriculture; omics (transcriptomics, metabolomics) in crop stress adaptation
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, heavy metal toxicity, and nutrient deficiency significantly limit the growth, yield, and quality of rapeseed (Brassica napus), a vital global oilseed crop. In the face of climate change and increasing demands for vegetable oil and biofuel, elucidating the molecular basis behind rapeseed’s responses to these stresses has become an urgent research priority.
Recent advances in molecular biology and genomics have begun to uncover key mechanisms underlying abiotic stress tolerance in rapeseed, including stress-responsive transcription factors, hormone signaling networks, epigenetic regulation, and osmoprotectant biosynthesis. The integration of multi-omics approaches such as transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics has provided systems-level insights into the complex regulatory networks that govern stress adaptation in this crop.
However, critical knowledge gaps remain. Many molecular components and their interactions under combined or sequential stresses have not yet been fully characterized in rapeseed. Moreover, translating molecular discoveries into field-ready solutions through molecular breeding, gene editing, or biotechnological interventions requires focused research efforts.
This Special Issue, “Molecular Research and Insights in Rapeseed Abiotic Stress”, will address these challenges by compiling cutting-edge studies that reveal novel molecular players, mechanisms, and integrated responses to abiotic stress in rapeseed. By highlighting recent advances in gene function, signaling cross-talk, omics profiling, and molecular breeding tools specific to rapeseed, this Special Issue will contribute to the development of more resilient, high-yielding varieties and sustainable cultivation practices.
We invite you to submit original research articles and comprehensive reviews that deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning abiotic stress responses in rapeseed. Submissions that integrate molecular discovery into practical applications for enhancing stress resilience in rapeseed are especially encouraged. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Stress perception, signaling, and hormone cross-talk in rapeseed;
- Transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic regulation under abiotic stress;
- Omics-driven insights (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) in rapeseed stress biology;
- Functional genomics and gene editing (e.g., CRISPR/Cas) for stress tolerance;
- Molecular breeding and biotechnology approaches tailored to rapeseed;
- Cross-stress responses and priming mechanisms at the molecular level.
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this Special Issue, which aims to bridge molecular innovation with practical strategies for improving rapeseed productivity and sustainability in a changing climate.
Dr. Ahsan Ayyaz
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- rapeseed (Brassica napus)
- abiotic stress
- drought tolerance
- salinity stress
- heavy metal toxicity
- molecular mechanisms
- stress signaling
- omics (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics)
- molecular breeding
- CRISPR-Cas9
- stress-responsive genes
- hormone cross-talk
- epigenetic regulation
- stress resilience
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