Genetics Studies on Crop Agronomy Traits Improvement

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 2460

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Germplasm Resources and Biotechnology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JAAS), Nanjing 210014, China
Interests: omics; molecular marker; plant stress tolerance; herbicide; crop germplasm; GMO; genome editing

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Interests: metabolism pathway; gene function; secondary metabolity; human health; Chinese tranditional medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The challenges of modern agriculture go beyond merely addressing human hunger; they also encompass the increasing demands for a higher quality of life, which translates into evolving market needs. Consequently, the quality of agricultural products—particularly the food produced—must meet the ever-growing expectations of consumers. This dynamic landscape presents new challenges for breeding and agricultural practices.

The Special Issue we are planning seeks to explore the application of genetic resources and advances in genetics to enhance agronomic traits in crops. This publication will primarily focus on the relationship between agronomic traits and genes, as well as the investigation of various functional genes, including their mutant isoforms, particularly the isozymes resulting from genetic variation.

The scope of this Special Issue includes studies that examine how the exploration of genetic resources can lead to improvements in crop performance, with an emphasis on yield, disease resistance, and quality. We invite research on genes improving crop agronomic traits such as yield, disease resistance, aroma, etc.

Additionally, we are concerned with the potential threats to human health arising from the application of agricultural chemicals, including herbicides, pestiscides, fertilizers, etc., as well as the use of genetically modified and gene-edited crops. This includes discussions on risk management and mitigation strategies to address these potentially harmful challenges, alongside the responsible use of genetic resources.

We encourage contributions addressing (but not limited to) the following key areas:

  • Identification and characterization of genes or gene variants associated with agronomic traits.
  • Development of molecular markers linked to desirable traits for marker-assisted selection.
  • Utilization of genomic tools and techniques to enhance breeding efficiency.
  • Analysis of the genetic basis of agronomic traits, including quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
  • Exploration of novel genetic resources for improving agronomic traits, particularly those related to yield, disease resistance, and quality.
  • Studies on the impact of genetic variations on the expression of agronomic traits, including the role of isozymes in these processes.
  • Agricultural risk control measures related to GMO or gene editing.

We welcome submissions from researchers engaged in both theoretical and applied aspects of crop genetics and genomics, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in utilizing genetic resources for crop improvement.

Dr. Weicong Qi
Dr. Sheng Xu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • crop
  • gene resource
  • genetics
  • quality
  • agronomy trait improvement
  • risk control

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2349 KiB  
Article
Mining Candidate Genes for Maize Tassel Spindle Length Based on a Genome-Wide Association Analysis
by Xudong Cao, Han Lu, Zhiwen Zhao, Yujie Lian, Hui Chen, Mengfan Yu, Fan Wang, Huayue Sun, Dong Ding, Xuehai Zhang, Xiaoyang Chen and Jihua Tang
Genes 2024, 15(11), 1413; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15111413 - 31 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Maize tassel spindle length is closely related to the number of pollen grains and the duration of the flowering stage, ultimately affecting maize yield and adaptations to stress conditions. In this study, 182 maize inbred lines were included in an association population. A [...] Read more.
Maize tassel spindle length is closely related to the number of pollen grains and the duration of the flowering stage, ultimately affecting maize yield and adaptations to stress conditions. In this study, 182 maize inbred lines were included in an association population. A genome-wide association study was conducted on maize tassel spindle length using the Q + K model. With p ≤ 1.0 × 10−4 applied as the significance threshold, 240 SNPs significantly associated with tassel spindle length were detected, which were associated with 99 quantitative trait loci (QTLs), with 21 QTLs detected in two or more environments. Moreover, 51 candidate genes were detected in 21 co-localized QTLs. A KEGG enrichment analysis and candidate gene expression analysis indicated that Zm00001d042312 affects plant hormone signal transduction and is highly expressed in maize tassels. A haplotype analysis of Zm00001d042312 revealed three main haplotypes, with significant differences between Hap1 and Hap2. In conclusion, we propose that Zm00001d042312 is a gene that regulates maize tassel spindle length. This study has further elucidated the genetic basis of maize tassel spindle length, while also providing excellent genetic targets and germplasm resources for the genetic improvement of maize tassel spindle length and yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics Studies on Crop Agronomy Traits Improvement)
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Review

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7 pages, 598 KiB  
Review
Genetic Variation, Polyploidy, Hybridization Influencing the Aroma Profiles of Rosaceae Family
by Xi Chen, Yu Zhang, Weihua Tang, Geng Zhang, Yuanhua Wang and Zhiming Yan
Genes 2024, 15(10), 1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15101339 - 18 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Background: The fragrance and aroma of Rosaceae plants are complex traits influenced by a multitude of factors, with genetic variation standing out as a key determinant which is largely impacted by polyploidy. Polyploidy serves as a crucial evolutionary mechanism in plants, significantly boosting [...] Read more.
Background: The fragrance and aroma of Rosaceae plants are complex traits influenced by a multitude of factors, with genetic variation standing out as a key determinant which is largely impacted by polyploidy. Polyploidy serves as a crucial evolutionary mechanism in plants, significantly boosting genetic diversity and fostering speciation. Objective: This review focuses on the Rosaceae family, emphasizing how polyploidy influences the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are essential for the aromatic characteristics of economically important fruits like strawberries, apples, and cherries. The review delves into the biochemical pathways responsible for VOC biosynthesis, particularly highlighting the roles of terpenoids, esters alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenolics, hydrocarbons, alongside the genetic mechanisms that regulate these pathways. Key enzymes, such as terpene synthases and alcohol acyltransferases, are central to this process. This review further explores how polyploidy and hybridization can lead to the development of novel metabolic pathways, contributing to greater phenotypic diversity and complexity in fruit aromas. It underscores the importance of gene dosage effects, isoenzyme diversity, and regulatory elements in determining VOC profiles. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights for breeding strategies aimed at improving fruit quality and aligning with consumer preferences. Present review not only elucidates the complex interplay between genomic evolution and fruit aroma but also offers a framework for future investigations in plant biology and agricultural innovation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics Studies on Crop Agronomy Traits Improvement)
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