Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Kernel Development in Cereal Crops

Dear Colleagues,

Cereal crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and barley form the foundation of food security, and their kernel size, weight, composition, and overall yield are complex traits determined by a tightly coordinated developmental program. This program encompasses a series of critical events, including floral initiation and patterning, pollination, double fertilization, endosperm development and cellularization, starch and protein synthesis and accumulation, and grain filling and maturation.

Understanding the molecular networks that regulate these events is paramount for future genetic improvement and breeding strategies. This collection of research and review articles aims to provide a comprehensive platform for the latest advancements in this field. The key topics explored include the roles of key transcriptional regulators, phytohormone signaling pathways, epigenetic modifications, and nutrient partitioning during grain development.

By integrating innovative research from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, this Special Issue seeks to uncover the fundamental principles of kernel development. The ultimate goal is to identify novel genes and molecular markers that can be leveraged to breed next-generation cereal cultivars with enhanced yield potential, improved nutritional profiles, and greater resilience to climate change, thereby addressing the pressing challenges of sustainable agriculture and global food demand).

Dr. Jiechen Wang
Prof. Dr. Zhiyong Zhang
Guest Editors

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