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Plants
Special Issues
Plants 2025—from Seeds to Food Security
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Plants 2025—from Seeds to Food Security

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 6143

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando

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Guest Editor
Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Interests: canola and wheat pathology; epidemiology of plant pathogens; evolution/genetic variation of fungal pathogens; biological control of plant diseases; breeding for disease resistance microbial; ecology and microbial interactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Fermín Morales

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Professor, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología, CSIC-Gobierno de Navarra, Mutilva, Spain
Interests: agronomy; elevated CO2; elevated temperature; grapevine biology; photosynthesis; plant adaptation to climate change; plant nutrition; plant physiology; plant stress physiology; water stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Oscar Vicente

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for the Conservation and Improvement of Valencian Agrodiversity (COMAV), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera 14, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: plant abiotic stress; abiotic stress tolerance; drought; salinity; halophytes; plant biochemistry and molecular biology; plant reproductive biology; plant biotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is related to the conference “Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security”, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain, 31 March–2 April 2025. The aim of the conference is to bring together plant scientists, researchers, and experts from around the world to share cutting-edge research, foster collaboration, and explore innovative solutions for the future of agriculture and plant science.

This Special Issue will align with the conference’s seven main themes, inviting submissions that explore the following key areas:

  • Plant Responses to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change;
  • Plant–Microbe Interactions;
  • Emerging Technologies in Plant Health;
  • Emerging Technologies in Plant Breeding;
  • Emerging Technologies in Biotechnology and Molecular Research;
  • Seed Technologies and Seed Enhancement;
  • Plant Nutrition.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that highlight innovative approaches and advancements in plant science. Contributions highlighting the latest scientific discoveries and advances in addressing global challenges, such as increasing crop yields, improving food quality, reducing agrochemical contamination, and enhancing forest cover, are highly encouraged. Submissions from conference participants, as well as researchers who are unable to attend, are welcome.

This Special Issue will provide a comprehensive collection of high-quality research, reflecting the latest scientific discoveries and future directions in plant science. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, we aim to inspire collaboration and drive progress towards a more sustainable and food-secure future.

Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando
Prof. Dr. Fermín Morales
Prof. Dr. Oscar Vicente
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • climate change
  • abiotic stress
  • biotic stress
  • breeding
  • plant nutrition
  • plant-microbe interactions
  • plant molecular biology
  • plant health

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  • 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 (5 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 2622 KB  
Article
Advances in Potassium Silicate-Induced Drought Tolerance in Tropical Tree Seedlings: Effects on Morphological Traits, Physiological Responses, and Biochemical Regulation
by Sylvia Henintsoa Nomenaharinaivo, Dario Donno, Lorenzo Rosso, Giovanni Gamba, Harilala Andriamaniraka and Gabriele Beccaro
Plants 2025, 14(24), 3760; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14243760 - 10 Dec 2025
Abstract
Water stress is among the most important abiotic constraints affecting forest ecosystem functioning and regeneration, a phenomenon expected to intensify with climate change. It impacts photosynthesis, growth, and seedling survival, therefore threatening biodiversity and accelerating forest degradation. The use of silicon-based biostimulants has [...] Read more.
Water stress is among the most important abiotic constraints affecting forest ecosystem functioning and regeneration, a phenomenon expected to intensify with climate change. It impacts photosynthesis, growth, and seedling survival, therefore threatening biodiversity and accelerating forest degradation. The use of silicon-based biostimulants has emerged as a way of mitigating the effects of water stress by improving water status and stimulating mechanical and biochemical defense. However, its effectiveness on forest tree species remains poorly explored. This study examines how potassium silicate (PS) alleviates the effects of drought on Canarium madagascariense, with the aim of improving our understanding of the resilience mechanisms of tropical forest species. To do this, an experiment with 135 two-year-old C. madagascariense saplings has been conducted, testing three irrigation levels in combination with the addition of potassium silicate (PS) at concentrations of 5 and 10 mM, via foliar spraying and soil application. Morphometric and physiological parameters were monitored, followed by the biochemical profiling of the induced responses. Linear mixed models were computed to assess the effects of the different factors on the different growth performance, physiological functioning parameters over time, and ANOVA was used for evaluating the punctual data on the biochemical compounds. Drought had a significant impact on the morphological and physiological behaviour of the seedlings. However, the application of PS modified the drought-induced changes, even at a low concentration of 5 mM. Biochemical defenses were also improved further with PS application. Hormone profiling revealed a predominance of auxins, while abscisic acid was lower in the water stress treatments under drought. Therefore, using PS could support the production of robust seedlings that are more tolerant of, and adaptive to, the challenges of climate change, making restoration more efficient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plants 2025—from Seeds to Food Security)
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21 pages, 2225 KB  
Article
Biochemical Responses of Atacama and Blesbok Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Cultivars to Early Drought Stress
by Fikile N. Makhubu, Lebogang E. Siviya, Molemi E. Rauwane, Sunette M. Laurie, Ntakadzeni E. Madala and Sandiswa Figlan
Plants 2025, 14(22), 3532; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223532 - 19 Nov 2025
Viewed by 449
Abstract
Sweet potato is a nutrient-dense crop with the potential to improve food security, yet its productivity is constrained by drought stress. Metabolic profiling in sweet potato, particularly in response to abiotic stress, remains poorly understood, with limited knowledge on the metabolites contributing to [...] Read more.
Sweet potato is a nutrient-dense crop with the potential to improve food security, yet its productivity is constrained by drought stress. Metabolic profiling in sweet potato, particularly in response to abiotic stress, remains poorly understood, with limited knowledge on the metabolites contributing to drought response. The study aimed to profile and compare metabolites in drought-tolerant (cv Atacama) and drought-susceptible (cv Blesbok) sweet potato cultivars under water-deficient conditions. The cultivars were grown in a rainout shelter during the 2024 growing season at the Agricultural Research Council-Vegetable and Industrial Medicinal Plant (ARC-VIMP). The trial was laid out in a randomized block design with a plot size of 242 m squared with three drought treatment conditions, i.e., 30%, 50%, and 70% field capacity (FC). After two weeks of drought stress imposition, leaf samples were collected and analyzed for metabolite changes using untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Using chemometrics analysis, mainly using principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), significant separation was shown between the three drought stress conditions and the two cultivars, highlighting variable metabolic accumulation. Ten significantly regulated metabolites were identified (VIP > 1, p < 0.05), with the most pronounced log2 fold changes observed for kaempferol-3-O-galactoside (3.48), chlorogenic acid (3.34), glc-glc-octadecatrienoyl-sn-glycerol (3.14), and apigenin-7-O-β-D-neohesperidoside (2.71). Metabolite concentration varied in the two cultivars, although most were positively correlated with Atacama. Enriched pathways included flavonoid biosynthesis, zeatin biosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism. These findings highlight cultivar-specific metabolic responses and propose candidate biomarkers for breeding drought-tolerant sweet potato. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plants 2025—from Seeds to Food Security)
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24 pages, 2686 KB  
Article
Linking Soil Microbial Functional Profiles to Fungal Disease Resistance in Winter Barley Under Different Fertilisation Regimes
by Mariana Petkova, Petar Chavdarov and Stefan Shilev
Plants 2025, 14(20), 3199; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203199 - 18 Oct 2025
Viewed by 2366
Abstract
Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a major fodder crop whose productivity is often reduced by phytopathogens, especially during early growth. Understanding how soil fertility management and microbial communities influence disease outcomes is critical for developing sustainable strategies that reduce fungicide dependence and [...] Read more.
Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a major fodder crop whose productivity is often reduced by phytopathogens, especially during early growth. Understanding how soil fertility management and microbial communities influence disease outcomes is critical for developing sustainable strategies that reduce fungicide dependence and enhance crop resilience. This study evaluated the resistance of the winter barley cultivar “Zemela” to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei), brown rust (Puccinia hordei), and net blotch (Pyrenophora teres f. maculata). The crop was cultivated under two soil management systems—green manure and conventional—and five fertilisation regimes: mineral, vermicompost, combined, biochar, and control. Phytopathological assessment was integrated with functional predictions of soil microbial communities. Field trials showed high resistance to powdery mildew (RI = 95%) and brown rust (RI = 82.5%), and moderate resistance to net blotch (RI = 60%). While ANOVA indicated no significant treatment effects (p > 0.05), PCA explained 82.3% of the variance, revealing clear clustering of microbial community functions by soil management system and highlighting the strong influence of fertilisation practices on disease-related microbial dynamics. FAPROTAX analysis suggested that organic amendments enhanced antifungal functions, whereas conventional systems were dominated by nitrogen cycling. FUNGuild identified higher saprotrophic and mycorrhizal activity under organic and combined treatments, contrasting with greater pathogen abundance in conventional plots. Overall, results demonstrate that soil fertilisation practices, together with microbial functional diversity, play a central role in disease suppression and crop resilience, supporting sustainable barley production with reduced reliance on chemical inputs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plants 2025—from Seeds to Food Security)
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22 pages, 5591 KB  
Article
Morphological Acclimation of Durum Wheat Spikes in Response to Foliar Micronutrient Applications
by Despina Dimitriadi, Georgios P. Stylianidis, Ioannis Tsirogiannis, Lampros D. Bouranis, Styliani N. Chorianopoulou and Dimitris L. Bouranis
Plants 2025, 14(19), 3079; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14193079 - 5 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 589
Abstract
A cultivation of durum wheat that established in a field with soil poor in micronutrients received foliar applications at the initiation of the dough stage towards biofortifying the spikes with micronutrients. The morphology of the spike is crucial in determining grain yield, and [...] Read more.
A cultivation of durum wheat that established in a field with soil poor in micronutrients received foliar applications at the initiation of the dough stage towards biofortifying the spikes with micronutrients. The morphology of the spike is crucial in determining grain yield, and the spikelets, the components of the inflorescence, influence each other. The number and arrangement of these spike components affect spike length, spike weight, spike chaff (the non-grain biomass in the spike), grain number per spike, grain weight per spike, and spikelet number per spike, and all contribute to final grain yield per spike. The spike’s developmental program responded to the interventions regarding the morphological traits; this response was analyzed for each spike component, and an acclimation program seemed to be activated by each intervention. Cysteine or methionine has been added as a potential enhancer of the biofortification process, and the application mixtures were coupled with selected surfactants, an organosilicon ethoxylate or an alcohol ethoxylate one, while products with targeted composition for biofortification with micronutrients have also been studied. Their effect on the developmental acclimation program of the treated spike is presented and discussed. The action of this program provided grains of similar weight, regardless of the intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plants 2025—from Seeds to Food Security)
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Review

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14 pages, 1642 KB  
Review
Biochar-Assisted Agriculture: From Healthy Soil to Healthy Plants
by Cheng Liu, Chao Wang, Shijie Shang, Jingyu Ma, Shengdao Shan, Qian Yue, Lianqing Li and Genxing Pan
Plants 2025, 14(21), 3273; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213273 - 27 Oct 2025
Viewed by 690
Abstract
Land application of biochar appears to be the most promising tool for managing soil and plant health in agriculture for food production. Biochar induces plant resistance and root growth, deactivates fungitoxic compounds, supports better habituation of beneficial microorganisms, and alters soil properties to [...] Read more.
Land application of biochar appears to be the most promising tool for managing soil and plant health in agriculture for food production. Biochar induces plant resistance and root growth, deactivates fungitoxic compounds, supports better habituation of beneficial microorganisms, and alters soil properties to facilitate moisture and nutrient availability. This review assimilates lessons from the authors’ experience with biochar application in agriculture, in addition to the previous literature, to elucidate the role of biochar in crop production, from soil health to plant health (root growth, disease control, yield, and quality), and its link to food health. This review provides bottom–up evidence for developing biochar-assisted agriculture in the context of ONE Health applied to soil–plant–food, contributing to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plants 2025—from Seeds to Food Security)
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