Dear Colleagues,

Research interest in Plant Reproduction dates back to the early studies of angiosperm mating systems conducted by Darwin in the 1870s. The reproductive biology of plants displays greater variety than that of most other organismic groups. In particular, flowering plants—compared to most animals—show complex forms of mating, which are characterized by their level of self- vs. cross-fertilization, the latter often with various partners simultaneously. Accordingly, angiosperms exhibit an enormous diversity of reproductive organs, where female and male sex organs can be combined and spatially and temporally arranged in multiple ways within the flower, inflorescence, and entire population. The type and efficiency of biotic or abiotic pollen dispersal vectors as well as postpollination mechanisms of partner discrimination further shape the reproductive outcome. Plant reproduction has important implications for (meta-)population demography, micro- and macroevolution, as well as community ecology.

The complexity of plant reproductive biology is reflected by the wide range of research topics addressed in its context, such as morphology of reproductive organs, nectar and scent biochemistry, flower-, breeding system, and life-history evolution, fitness consequences (female vs. male reproductive success, offspring fitness), hybridization, pollination and community ecology, plant–plant facilitative and competitive interactions or phenology. Formal mathematical theory, underlying molecular genetics and physiology as well as environmental aspects (e.g., pollination disruption under climate change) further expands the pallet of issues addressed. This Special Issue on “Plant Reproduction” in Plants welcomes primary research papers as well as reviews of the wide range of topics related to plant reproduction. It aims at providing a snapshot of contemporary plant reproductive biology with the goal of targeting novel debate and research avenues.

Dr. Susanne Lachmuth
Guest Editor

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