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Plants
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Plant Fruit Development and Abiotic Stress
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Plant Fruit Development and Abiotic Stress

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 4980

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Guoming Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing, China
Interests: fruit development; abiotic stress; physiological mechanisms; molecular mechanisms; multi-omics analysis
Dr. Tao Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing, China
Interests: fruit development; abiotic stress; physiological mechanisms; molecular mechanisms; multi-omics analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Abiotic stress poses a formidable challenge to plant survival, productivity, and fruit development, exerting significant pressure on global agriculture and food security. As climate change intensifies stressors like drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and soil contamination, plants are increasingly exposed to conditions that hinder their growth, yield, and fruit quality. In addition, the rising global population necessitates enhanced food production, compelling agricultural systems to optimize output even under suboptimal conditions. Fruit development, a critical phase in a plant’s lifecycle, is particularly sensitive to abiotic stress, which can lead to a reduced fruit size, altered nutrient composition, and compromised quality. Understanding the complex physiological and molecular responses of plants to these stress factors is essential for developing strategies to mitigate their impact on fruit development. Recent advances in plant science have shed light on the intricate mechanisms by which plants perceive and respond to abiotic stress, especially during fruiting stages. This knowledge is crucial for the development of innovative approaches, such as the use of biostimulants, to enhance plant resilience and ensure optimal fruit development. However, a deeper understanding of these solutions’ precise modes of action under varying stress conditions is needed. This Special Issue emphasizes the importance of integrating physiological studies with fruit development research to devise novel strategies that bolster plant resilience and maintain fruit quality in an increasingly unpredictable climate.

Dr. Guoming Wang
Dr. Tao Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • fruit development
  • abiotic stress
  • physiological mechanisms
  • molecular mechanisms
  • multi-omics analysis

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 3137 KiB  
Article
Productive, Physiological, and Soil Microbiological Responses to Severe Water Stress During Fruit Maturity in a Super High-Density European Plum Orchard
by Arturo Calderón-Orellana, Gonzalo Plaza-Rojas, Macarena Gerding, Gabriela Huepe, Mathias Kuschel-Otárola, Richard M. Bastías, Tamara Alvear, Andrés Olivos and Mauricio Calderón-Orellana
Plants 2025, 14(8), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14081222 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 647
Abstract
The super high-density (SHD) production system has recently been introduced to the Chilean European plum (Prunus domestica L.) industry, but the potential of applying regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) in this system remains unexplored. As irrigation water availability in Chile has been strongly [...] Read more.
The super high-density (SHD) production system has recently been introduced to the Chilean European plum (Prunus domestica L.) industry, but the potential of applying regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) in this system remains unexplored. As irrigation water availability in Chile has been strongly jeopardized by climate change, there is an urgent need to validate water-conserving practices in modern production systems. A field study was conducted in a commercial SHD European plum orchard (cv. French grafted on Rootpac-20 rootstock) for two consecutive seasons in Peralillo, O’Higgins Region, Chile. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a late water deficit (LD) on water productivity, fruit quality, plant water relations, and soil microbiota. The results showed that implementing LD enhanced water productivity by 40% without compromising fresh and dry fruit quality. Moderate to severe water stress induced no changes in physiological parameters such as stomatal conductance and photochemical efficiency. Additionally, the LD treatment significantly reduced soil moisture but increased the abundance of certain groups of beneficial soil microbiota and fine roots. These results highlight the potential of LD as a viable water-conserving practice in modern SHD European plum orchards, particularly in regions facing water scarcity due to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Fruit Development and Abiotic Stress)
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15 pages, 3149 KiB  
Article
Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis Uncovers Core Drought Responsive Genes in Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
by Mengxin Hou, Yongrong Li, Jiping Xuan, Yan Zhang, Tao Wang, Min Zhai, Guoming Wang, Longjiao Hu and Zhenghai Mo
Plants 2025, 14(6), 833; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14060833 - 7 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 770
Abstract
Drought severely affects the growth and production of pecan (Carya illinoinensis), while genes conferred drought adaptation are yet to be fully elucidated. Here, an in-depth exploration of the two different RNA-seq projects regarding drought stress (designated as P1 and P2) was [...] Read more.
Drought severely affects the growth and production of pecan (Carya illinoinensis), while genes conferred drought adaptation are yet to be fully elucidated. Here, an in-depth exploration of the two different RNA-seq projects regarding drought stress (designated as P1 and P2) was performed via weighted gene co-expression network analysis. For the two projects, there existed one pair of modules (P1 turquoise module and P2 blue module) that was probably associated with drought resistance, as the paired modules both exhibited an increased expression profile with increasing water shortage stress and were annotated to be involved in oxidative stress response and the signaling pathways of abscisic acid and jasmonic acid. There were 441 and 1258 hub genes in the P1 turquoise module and P2 blue module, respectively, among which, 140 were overlapped and thus were recognized as core drought responsive genes. An additional drought stress experiment was conducted for RT-qPCR validation, and the results showed that the 20 core genes selected for detection were highly responsive to water deficit. Together, our results will be helpful for understanding the molecular mechanism of drought response and improving drought resistance in pecan. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Fruit Development and Abiotic Stress)
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17 pages, 8364 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Genomic Analysis of the CDPK Gene Family in Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) and Their Potential Roles in Salt Stress Response
by Guoming Wang, Longjiao Hu, Jiyu Zhang, Min Zhai, Zhanhui Jia, Zhenghai Mo and Jiping Xuan
Plants 2025, 14(4), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040540 - 10 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 767
Abstract
Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are crucial for plant development and stress responses. In this study, we performed a comprehensive genomic analysis of the CDPK gene family in pecan (Carya illinoinensis) and evaluated their potential roles in salt stress responses. A total [...] Read more.
Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are crucial for plant development and stress responses. In this study, we performed a comprehensive genomic analysis of the CDPK gene family in pecan (Carya illinoinensis) and evaluated their potential roles in salt stress responses. A total of 31 CiCDPK genes were identified and classified into four subgroups through phylogenetic analysis. Structural and promoter analyses revealed conserved motifs and regulatory elements linked to stress responses. Gene duplication analysis showed that WGD and DSD events were primary drivers of CiCDPK expansion, shaped by purifying selection. GO and KEGG annotations highlighted roles in kinase activity, calcium binding, and signal transduction, while interaction networks suggested involvement in ROS regulation and ATP-dependent phosphorylation. Tissue-specific expression patterns indicated distinct roles of CiCDPKs, with CiCDPK20 and CiCDPK31 predominantly expressed in male flowers and seeds, respectively. Transcriptome data showed that CiCDPKs exhibited distinct responses to abiotic and biotic stress, highlighting their functional specialization under various conditions. qRT-PCR analysis further confirmed the involvement of 16 CiCDPKs in salt stress adaptation, supporting their critical roles in signal transduction pathways during salinity stress. This study provides insights into CiCDPK functions, offering potential applications in breeding pecan varieties with enhanced salt tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Fruit Development and Abiotic Stress)
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18 pages, 2263 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Role of GhP5CS1 in Cotton Salt Stress Tolerance: A Comprehensive Genomic and Functional Analysis of P5CS Genes
by Hui Fang, Xin Gao, Yunhao Wu, Ke Zhang, Ying Wu, Junyi Li, Dongmei Qian, Ruochen Li, Haijing Gu, Teame Gereziher Mehari, Xinlian Shen and Baohua Wang
Plants 2025, 14(2), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14020231 - 15 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1098
Abstract
Proline, a critical osmoregulatory compound, is integral to various plant stress responses. The P5CS gene, which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in proline biosynthesis, known as ∆1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, is fundamental to these stress response pathways. While the functions of P5CS genes in plants have [...] Read more.
Proline, a critical osmoregulatory compound, is integral to various plant stress responses. The P5CS gene, which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in proline biosynthesis, known as ∆1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, is fundamental to these stress response pathways. While the functions of P5CS genes in plants have been extensively documented, their specific roles in cotton remain inadequately characterized. In this study, we identified 40 P5CS genes across four cotton species with diverse sequence lengths and molecular weights. Phylogenetic analysis of 100 P5CS genes from nine species revealed three subgroups, with Gossypium hirsutum closely related to Gossypium barbadense. Collinearity analysis highlighted significant differences in collinear gene pairs, indicating evolutionary divergence among P5CS genes in tetraploid and diploid cotton. Exon–intron structures and conserved motifs correlated with phylogenetic relationships, suggesting functional differentiation. Stress-responsive elements in P5CS promoters suggest involvement in abiotic stress. Expression analysis under salt stress revealed differential expressions of GhP5CS genes, with GhP5CS1 emerging as a potential key regulator. Virus-induced gene silencing confirmed the pivotal role of GhP5CS1 in cotton’s salt stress response, as evidenced by increased salt sensitivity in the silenced plants. This study enhances our understanding of the functional diversity and roles of P5CS genes in cotton under stress conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Fruit Development and Abiotic Stress)
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18 pages, 4799 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Analysis In Silico of KCS Genes in Maize Revealed Their Potential Role in Response to Abiotic Stress
by Xinyi Chen, Aixia Zhang, Chenyan Liu, Muhammad Saeed, Junyi Li, Ying Wu, Yunhao Wu, Haijing Gu, Jinchao Yuan, Baohua Wang, Ping Li and Hui Fang
Plants 2024, 13(24), 3507; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13243507 - 16 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1101
Abstract
β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) enzymes play a pivotal role in plants by catalyzing the first step of very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthesis. This process is crucial for plant development and stress responses. However, the understanding of KCS genes in maize remains limited. In [...] Read more.
β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) enzymes play a pivotal role in plants by catalyzing the first step of very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthesis. This process is crucial for plant development and stress responses. However, the understanding of KCS genes in maize remains limited. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of ZmKCS genes, identifying 29 KCS genes that are unevenly distributed across nine maize chromosomes through bioinformatics approaches. These ZmKCS proteins varied in length and molecular weight, suggesting functional diversity. Phylogenetic analysis categorized 182 KCS proteins from seven species into six subgroups, with maize showing a closer evolutionary relationship to other monocots. Collinearity analysis revealed 102 gene pairs between maize and three other monocots, whereas only five gene pairs were identified between maize and three dicots, underscoring the evolutionary divergence of KCS genes between monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. Structural analysis revealed that 20 out of 29 ZmKCS genes are intronless. Subcellular localization prediction and experimental validation suggest that most ZmKCS proteins are likely localized at the plasma membrane, with some also present in mitochondria and chloroplasts. Analysis of the cis-acting elements within the ZmKCS promoters suggested their potential involvement in abiotic stress responses. Notably, expression analysis under abiotic stresses highlighted ZmKCS17 as a potential key gene in the stress response of maize, which presented an over 10-fold decrease in expression under salt and drought stresses within 48 h. This study provides a fundamental understanding of ZmKCS genes, paving the way for further functional characterization and their potential application in maize breeding for enhanced stress tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Fruit Development and Abiotic Stress)
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