Crop Improvement by Modern Breeding Strategies
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 616
Special Issue Editors
Interests: sobyean and sunflower diseases; artificial infections
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: soybean; breeding; conventional breeding; seed nutritional quality; trait stability; genotype adaptability; seed production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Accelerating climate change, human population growth, and the degradation of agricultural soils are present-day global challenges that cause food insecurity and necessitate constant innovations in crop improvement. The response to predicted future and existing food scarcity lies in producing more high-quality agricultural products while addressing frequent and unpredictable abiotic and biotic stresses. Conventional breeding methods, while foundational, are no longer sufficient to meet the rapidly evolving demands placed on agriculture. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as advanced imaging and data analytics for phenotyping, advanced computational tools (e.g., AI and machine learning) for predictive breeding, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genomic selection, CRISPR-based genome editing to fine-tune specific traits with high precision, RNA interference (RNAi) for silencing specific genes to reduce unwanted trait expression, doubled haploidy for producing uniform progeny in one generation, and speed breeding, researchers and breeders are developing crops with superior traits of interest—high-performing crops that also demonstrate plasticity and wide adaptability. Modern breeding strategies have already significantly improved crop productivity, resilience, and nutritional quality, leading to the development of disease- and drought-tolerant varieties for staple crops. However, genetic modifications used in modern breeding have raised concerns among consumers. The controversy surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops is one of the most contentious debates in modern agriculture, science, and public policy. Critics of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) express concerns about environmental impacts, human health risks, and ethical issues, leading to a polarized public discourse. Although genetic modification holds promise for addressing global food security challenges, these debates highlight the need for transparency and responsible regulation. Addressing and overcoming the issues related to agricultural biotechnology, while ensuring the progress of breeding superior crops, remains one of the most important challenges for modern agriculture. Therefore, this Special Issue invites research on advanced breeding methods, alongside case studies and practical applications, encouraging readers to engage with the innovative techniques and genetic tools shaping the future of crop improvement, and fostering sustainable and resilient food systems for a growing global population.
Dr. Tomislav Duvnjak
Dr. Aleksandra Sudarić
Dr. Maja Matoša Kočar
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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
- crop improvement
- breeding
- biotechnology
- agricultural innovation
- sustainable agriculture
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- 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.
