Application of Biotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture

Dear Colleagues,

In the field of agriculture, biotechnology has become an important scientific discipline, providing creative answers to the urgent problems of environmental sustainability, resource conservation, and global food security. This interdisciplinary field develops instruments and methods that improve agricultural output, lessen their negative effects on the environment, and help to establish sustainable farming systems by utilizing genetic engineering, biological processes, and cutting-edge technology. Fundamentally, biotechnology in agriculture uses our understanding of biological systems to create and modify living things for our own ends. In order to improve agricultural attributes, increase resistance to pests and diseases, and maximize resource usage, methods including genetic modification, tissue culture, and molecular breeding are applied. The development of precision agricultural techniques and a greater understanding of plant biology have been made possible by the rapid advancements in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. Beyond conventional breeding techniques, biotechnology approaches have become more integrated into agriculture, enabling researchers to explore the molecular details of plant physiology. For example, genetic engineering makes it possible to introduce particular genes into crops to give them desired characteristics like resistance to diseases, improved nutritional value, or drought tolerance. The ability to precisely manipulate genetic material not only speeds up the breeding process but also makes it possible to create crops with specific traits that fit a variety of environmental circumstances.

This research area is important for the following aspects: enhancing crop productivity, environmental conservation, resource efficiency, climate change resilience, improving nutritional content, and preserving biodiversity.

In conclusion, the frontier where scientific innovation meets the necessity of feeding a growing population while protecting the environment is the junction of biotechnology and sustainable agriculture. This field of study not only has the potential to revolutionize agriculture, but it also emphasizes the necessity of using biotechnology in an ethical and responsible manner in order to maintain a balance between social well-being, environmental stewardship, and productivity. The prospect of developing a food system that is more robust, sustainable, and equitable is becoming more and more apparent as scholars continue to explore this area.

This Special Issue's main goal is to give academics, scientists, and industry professionals a thorough forum to discuss their most recent developments, discoveries, and innovations in the use of biotechnology to improve agricultural sustainability. The goal of this Special Issue is to promote a better understanding of how biotechnological breakthroughs might be used to address issues related to resource usage, environmental impact, and global food security within the framework of sustainable agriculture.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. Biotechnological tools and precision agriculture:

Biotechnological tools have significantly contributed to the development and implementation of precision agriculture, revolutionizing the way crops are cultivated and managed. Precision agriculture involves the use of advanced technologies to optimize various aspects of farming, such as crop yield, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability

2. Microbial biotechnology for soil health:

Microbial biotechnology plays a crucial role in enhancing soil health and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The use of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and archaea, can have a positive impact on soil fertility, structure, nutrient cycling, and overall ecosystem health.

3. Climate-adaptive vegetables:

Biotechnological approaches to handle issues like heat stress and drought and produce crops that are resistant to climate change.

4. Enhancing nutrition through biofortification:

Application of biotechnology to improve agricultural nutrition and alleviate dietary inadequacies and malnutrition.

5. Biotechnology and agroecology:

Integration of biotechnological approaches in agroecological practices, promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly farming systems.

6. Sustainable Farming Systems:

Exploration of biotechnological interventions that contribute to the development of sustainable and regenerative farming systems.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Marko Vinceković
Dr. Darija Lemić
Guest Editors

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• sustainability
• food production
• agriculture
• biotechnology
• food security
• food safety
• plant nutrition
• plant protection