Special Issues

Plants publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Plant Nematode Resistance: Molecular Mechanisms, Gene Identification, and Breeding Strategies
edited by Naoufal Lakhssassi
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 175 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant– pathogen interaction; nematodes; plant/pathogen resistance mechanism; gene discovery; resistance mechanism; molecular breeding/breeding by design; gene pyramiding
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Molecular Biology)
Sustainable Plantation Systems in Desert and Marginal Lands
edited by Yajuan Zhu and
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 153 | Submission Open
Keywords: plantation structure; plantation function; degradation; restoration; tree; shrub; herb; arid land  
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Ecology)
Genetic Modification Techniques in Crop Breeding
edited by Jae Bok Heo and
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 136 | Submission Open
Keywords: crop improvement; functional genomics; GM and GE regulation; GM and GE risk assessment; crop breeding; genome evolution
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
Recent Advances in Plant Proteolysis
edited by and Małgorzata Adamiec
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 129 | Submission Open
Keywords: proteases; proteolysis; protein degradation; protein homeostasis; protein turnover; cellular protein quality control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Cell Biology)
Florivory: The Ecology and Evolution of Flower Predation
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 126 | Submission Open
Keywords: pollen robbing; flower predation; plant defense; reproductive success; plant– predator interactions; herbivory
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Growth, Development, and Stress Response of Horticulture Plants/Crops—2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 124 | Submission Open
Keywords: horticulture; growth and development; biotic stress; abiotic stress; epigenetic modification; temperature; light quality
(This special issue belongs to the Section Horticultural Science and Ornamental Plants)
Plant Nutrient Management for Sustainable Agriculture
edited by , William Natale, and
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 115 | Submission Open
Keywords: tissue nutrient diagnosis; nutrient diagnosis in soil; discriminant analysis; fertilization; compositional nutrient diagnosis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Nutrition)
Functional Genomics and Molecular Techniques for Crop Improvement
edited by , Amos Emitati Alakonya and
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 103 | Submission Open
Keywords: high-throughput sequencing; transcriptomic profiling; genome editing and heterologous gene expression; disease resistance; heat; drought and salinity tolerance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
Phytochemical Characterization and Bioactivity of Medicinal Plants: From Analytical Techniques to Therapeutic Potential submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 87 | Submission Open
Keywords: medicinal plants; phytochemical characterization; metabolomics; bioactive compounds; antioxidant; antimicrobial; anti-inflammatory; metabolic disorders; neurobehavioral effects
(This special issue belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
Signaling Pathways in Photomorphogenic Root Development submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 84 | Submission Open
Keywords: photomorphogenesis; photoreceptor; shade; root architecture; plant nutrition; rhizosphere; microbiota; root exudates; etiolation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism)
Plant-Based Therapeutics for Metabolic Disorders
edited by and Angela de Castro Resende
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 84 | Submission Open
Keywords: metabolic disorders; diabetes; obesity; dyslipidemia; metabolic syndrome; medicinal plants; bioactive compounds; phytotherapy; functional foods
(This special issue belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Non-Host Immunity
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 81 | Submission Open
Keywords: passive and active immunity; PTI; ETI; ROS; antioxidants systems; HR; signals; receptors
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
The Antioxidant Properties and Pharmacology of Plant Natural Products
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 80 | Submission Open
Keywords: antioxidant properties; pharmacology; plant natural products; traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); bioactive constituents
(This special issue belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
Plant Phytochemicals and Therapeutic Potential submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 77 | Submission Open
Keywords: phytochemicals; plant extract; bioactive compounds; traditional medicines; herbal medicine; bioactivity; therapeutic potential; pharmacological activity
(This special issue belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
Epigenetic and Hormonal Regulation of Plant Development submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 74 | Submission Open
Keywords: epigenetics; genetics; plant development; hormonal regulation; plant hormone; molecular mechanism; gene functioning and regulation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism)
Metabolism and Biosynthesis of Plant Polysaccharides
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 72 | Submission Open
Keywords: nonstarch-polysaccharide structure; polysaccharide metabolism; metabolic regulation; biosynthesis; polysaccharide bioactivity
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism)
Molecular Systematics and Chemophenetics of Plants submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 70 | Submission Open
Keywords: molecular markers; simple sequence repeat; inter simple sequence repeat; sequence-related amplified polymorphism; single nucleotide polymorphism; amplified fragment length polymorphism; next generation sequencing; cpDNA; mtDNA; nrDNA; phylogeny; phytogeography; ecology; conservation; alkaloids; terpenoids; phenolics; flavonoids; essential oils; fatty acid derivatives; chemophenetics; chemotaxonomy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Systematics, Taxonomy, Nomenclature and Classification)
Molecular Mechanisms of Root Meristem Development
edited by Emanuele Scacchi and
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 65 | Submission Open
Keywords: root meristem; stem cell niche; transcriptional regulation; epigenetic control; cell– cell communication; root development; molecular genetics; systems biology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Development and Morphogenesis)
Characterization of Chemical Compounds and Nutrients in Plant-Based Foods
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 63 | Submission Open
Keywords: edible plants; plant-based foods; chemical composition; nutrient composition; plant-based diets
(This special issue belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
Emerging Technologies for Modifying Plant-Based Proteins submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 60 | Submission Open
Keywords: vegetable protein; techno-functional properties; structure properties; emerging food processing technologies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Nutrition)
Integrated Management of Plant Pathogens
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 57 | Submission Open
Keywords: integrated pathogen management; plant disease; sustainable agriculture; plant disease management; host resistance; biological control; chemical control; disease detection; disease monitoring; fungicide resistance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Biotechnological Advances in Biopesticides for Integrated Pest Management
edited by and Maria Liza López
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 51 | Submission Open
Keywords: biopesticides; microbial biopesticides; plant-derived biopesticides; nanotechnology; bioactive compounds; integrated pest management (IPM); pest control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Alkaloids: Chemical Structures with Pharmaceutical Potential—2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 51 | Submission Open
Keywords: alkaloids; extraction and isolation; chemical profile; structural elucidation; biological activities; pharmacological potential
(This special issue belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
The Genetic Diversity, Biotechnological Tools, and Phenotypic Trait Variation of Olea europaea L.: Studies to Support Breeding Programs—2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 49 | Submission Open
Keywords: Olea europaea; genetic diversity; genotyping and phenotyping; plant biotechnology; sequencing; mapping; markers; classical and molecular breeding
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
Phytohormones and Plant Stress: Regulatory Networks in Abiotic and Biotic Stress Responses
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 43 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant stress tolerance; phytohormone crosstalk; abiotic stress responses; abiotic stress responses; hormonal regulation mechanisms; defence signalling pathways
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism)
Berries and Health: Bioactive Compounds in Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 40 | Submission Open
Keywords: berries; berry by-products; functional foods; nutraceuticals
(This special issue belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
Diagnostics and Monitoring of Plant Diseases
edited by Ljiljana Krstin and
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 35 | Submission Open
Keywords: digital tools; disease detection; molecular methods; pathogen monitoring; plant pathogens; sustainable plant protection
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Mechanisms of Herbicide Resistance in Weeds—2nd Edition
edited by and Hailan Cui
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 35 | Submission Open
Keywords: weeds; herbicide resistance; resistance mechanisms to herbicides; omics technique; weed management 
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Therapeutic Potential of Plant-Derived Carbohydrates and Iminosugars
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jun 2026 | Viewed by 25 | Submission Open
Keywords: iminosugar; azasugar; carbohydrate; anti-cancer activity; immune modulation; anti-microbial; anti-inflammatory; therapeutic; food supplement; cosmetic uses
(This special issue belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
Bioactive Compounds from Plant Natural Products: Ethnopharmacology and Phytochemistry—2nd Edition submission deadline 20 Jul 2026 | Viewed by 73 | Submission Open
Keywords: phytochemistry; ethnopharmacology; plant natural products; bioactive compounds; secondary metabolites; traditional medicine; pharmacological activity; functional foods; nutraceuticals; green chemiustry
(This special issue belongs to the Section Phytochemistry)
Advances in Vegetable Crop Breeding: From Functional Gene Discoveries to Enhanced Productivity, Stress Tolerance, and Nutritional Quality
edited by Yong Pyo Lim and
submission deadline 20 Jul 2026 | Viewed by 63 | Submission Open
Keywords: vegetable crops; functional gene mapping; stress response; mechanism; molecular breeding
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
Plant Protection: Advances in Disease Detection, Diagnosis and Management
edited by
submission deadline 20 Jul 2026 | Viewed by 30 | Submission Open
Keywords: plants protection; crop diseases; disease detection; disease diagnosis; food security
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Microbial Plant Biostimulants for Agricultural Sustainability: Progress and Challenges
edited by and Bilal Ahmed
submission deadline 30 Jul 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3285 | Submission Open
Keywords: microbial biostimulants; biotic; abiotic; crop improvement; omics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant–Soil Interactions)
Innovative Biotech Approaches in Legume Crop Improvement
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 551 | Submission Open
Keywords: legume crops; biotechnology; gene editing; molecular breeding; genomics; transcriptomics; proteomics; crop improvement; sustainable agriculture; abiotic stress tolerance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
Harnessing Beneficial Microbes and Water-Saving Strategies for Crop Stress Resilience
edited by
submission deadline 30 Jul 2026 | Viewed by 58 | Submission Open
Keywords: PGPR; water-saving strategies; stress tolerance; microbial biotechnology; sustainable agriculture; crop resilience; omics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant–Soil Interactions)
Management, Development, and Breeding of Coffea sp. Crop submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 6532 | Submission Open
Keywords: Coffea sp.; coffee breeding; physiology of stress; coffee production; post-harvest processing; coffee growth and development; crop management
(This special issue belongs to the Section Crop Physiology and Crop Production)
Insights and Regulation of Plant Growth and Metabolism submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5506 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant growth; specialized metabolism; physiological response; biosynthesis pathway; gene regulation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism)
Functional Plants for Ecological Control of Agricultural Pests submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5162 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional plants; agricultural pests; ecological control of pests; green control of pests; landscape layout; diversity utilization; plant chemistry; plant-derived pesticides; resistance and susceptibility of plants (including transgenic resistant crops; e.g.; transgenic Bt crops); conservation for natural enemies; refuge effect for natural enemies; bridge effects for natural enemies; attraction and repellence of plant VOCs; plant– insect interaction; insect biodiversity; pest monitoring; ecological agriculture
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Biological Control of Agricultural and Forestry Plant Diseases
edited by Ben Fan and Jia-Jin Tan
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2557 | Submission Open
Keywords: biological control; plant beneficial rhizobacteria; Bacillus velezensis; Bacillus subtilis; plant probiotics; forest pathology; plant nematology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Interactions and Co-Evolution Between Plant Hosts and Pathogens
edited by
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2289 | Submission Open
Keywords: coevolution; disease resistance breeding; effectors; environmental stress; host adaptation; host defense mechanisms; immune signaling pathways; microbiome interactions; molecular plant pathology; pathogen epidemiology; pathogen evolution; pathogen virulence; plant disease resistance; plant immunity; plant microbiota; plant-microbe co-evolution; plant-pathogen interactions
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Molecular Biology)
Sustainable Vegetable Production in the Era of Climate Change
edited by , Theodora Ntanasi and
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2126 | Submission Open
Keywords: vegetable crops; nutrient management; hydroponics and soilless culture; precision farming; vertical farming; sustainable agriculture; organic farming; salinity stress; drought stress; biofertilizers; biofortification; postharvest quality; antioxidant defense mechanisms
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)
Plant Stress Physiology and Ecophysiological Responses to Environmental Challenges
edited by
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1241 | Submission Open
Keywords: adaptation; antioxidant enzymes; cellular damage; crop production; crop protection; crops; free radicals; oxidative damage
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)
Advances in Genome-Wide Studies of Complex Agronomic Traits in Crops
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1123 | Submission Open
Keywords: genome-wide association study (GWAS); quantitative trait  loci (QTL); complex traits; artificial intelligence (AI); machine learning; crop genomics; multi-omics integration; genomic prediction; agronomic traits; population genomics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
Remote Sensing Technologies in Crop Monitoring and Plant Phenotyping
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1054 | Submission Open
Keywords: remote sensing; crop monitoring; plant phenotyping; trait analysis; precision agriculture; smart breeding
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Modeling)
Machine Learning for Plant Phenotyping in Crops
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 801 | Submission Open
Keywords: machine learning; deep learning; multi-scale phenotype; multi-data analysis; modeling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Modeling)
Integrating Plant Immunity and Ecological Strategies for Sustainable Disease Management
edited by Xianchao Sun and
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 801 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant immunity; plant– microbe interactions; ecological disease management; sustainable crop protection; biocontrol agents; agroecology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Genomewide SNP Identification and Use for Resolving Population Structure and GWAS of Traits of Interest—3rd Edition submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | Viewed by 768 | Submission Open
Keywords: SNP mining and InDELs; population structure analysis; GWAS; high-density QTL mapping; haplotype networking; genomics of wild crop relatives
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics in Modern Plant Science—2nd Edition
edited by Mingquan Ding
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 715 | Submission Open
Keywords: functional genomics; bioinformatics; abiotic stress; plant development; genome sequence analysis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
Plant Metabolites and Their Synthetic Derivatives as Potential Candidates for the Development of Drugs submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 399 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant extracts; plant-derived compounds; biological activity; antibacterial activity; drugs development; synthetic natural product derivatives; multidrug resistance
Cereal Crop Breeding, 2nd Edition
edited by and Yamei Wang
submission deadline 31 Jul 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 385 | Submission Open
Keywords: cereals; genetic dissection; breeding; disease resistance; stress tolerance; yield; quality; biotechnology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
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