Recent Advances in Plant Genetics and Breeding

Dear Colleagues,

Advancements in plant genetics and breeding are fundamental to enhancing crop productivity, improving nutritional quality, and ensuring sustainable agricultural systems. In the face of global challenges such as climate change, population growth, and environmental degradation, the development of resilient and high-yielding crop varieties through modern genetic and breeding techniques has become increasingly important. These innovations not only contribute to food security but also support the transition toward healthier and more sustainable diets.

This Topic aims to bring together research on the latest developments in plant genetics and breeding, including the application of genomic tools, gene editing technologies, marker-assisted selection, and genomic prediction. We welcome studies that explore the genetic basis of important agronomic traits, the development of stress-tolerant and nutrient-efficient crops, and the integration of breeding programs with sustainable farming practices. Additionally, this Topic encourages contributions that assess the socio-economic, environmental, and health impacts of these advances.

The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following subjects:

• Genomic selection and marker-assisted breeding;
• Gene editing and CRISPR applications in plants;
• Trait discovery and functional genomics;
• High-throughput phenotyping;
• Breeding for biotic and abiotic stress resistance;
• Nutritional quality and biofortification;
• Climate-resilient crop development;
• Integration of genomics with sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Fangping Gong
Dr. Dongmei Yin
Topic Editors