Advances in Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Plant Species, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Due to the success of the first volume of the Special Issue and the undiminished enthusiasm for this topic, we are launching its second volume.

The world is currently being confronted with an increasing population, food insecurity, and climate change. As of April 2019, the world population was estimated at 7.7 billion, and it is forecast to grow to more than 9 billion by 2050. Because the world’s population is growing at an unprecedented rate, feeding this population is becoming a big challenge, and there is a need to increase the world’s food production by 60–110%. Industrialization has brought economic prosperity; additionally, it has resulted in a larger population and urbanization. However, it has played a significant role in climate change as well. Climate change is causing a hazardous scenario for global food security by reducing food production by disturbing the cropping pattern and lowering the resistance of crops to biotic and biotic stress. Researchers have applied plant breeding as the most effective tool for dealing with these issues. However, the role of plant breeding in genetic erosion is also universally accepted. Therefore, our current food cultivars are not performing well under these unprecedented climatic conditions because of a genetic bottleneck. To mitigate all these problems, there is a need to harness plant diversity.

Exploring and managing genetic resources is a valuable approach, encompassing the collection, preservation, and characterization of genetic materials. This strategy proves instrumental in unraveling both genotypic and phenotypic variations, offering a rich resource for the breeding community. Addressing the limited genetic diversity of our food crops is achievable through the inclusion of landraces, crop wild relatives, and the often-overlooked plant species. Diversifying the genetic base lays the foundation for developing novel crop varieties resilient to diverse biotic and abiotic stress factors while concurrently enhancing yield and nutritional quality. The judicious combination of both traditional and cutting-edge breeding technologies expedites this process. By tapping into the vast reservoir of genetic resources, the creation of a new generation of crops emerges—ones characterized by heightened resistance, improved nutritional content, and an enhanced taste profile. Ultimately, the strategic utilization of plant diversity has the potential to revolutionize dietary patterns and contribute to improved public health. The exploration and incorporation of genetic resources open doors to the development of foods and ingredients that not only cater to enhanced nutritional needs but also elevate the overall sensory experience, thereby promoting the well-being of the population.

This Special Issue will focus on highlighting the importance of plant biodiversity and genetic resources for a sustainable agricultural production system. We welcome original research papers, reviews, perspectives, opinions, and modeling approaches regarding plant genetic diversity, breeding, omics, biotechnological technologies, and the biodiversity conservation of plant species.

Dr. Muhammud Qasim Shahid
Prof. Dr. Xiangdong Liu
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.

• germplasm characterization
• phenotypic evaluation
• molecular characterization
• molecular breeding
• germplasm conservation
• phenotypic markers
• molecular markers
• functional markers
• molecular breeding
• next generation sequencing
• genotyping by sequencing
• marker-assisted selection
• genetic mapping
• QTL mapping
• GWAS
• plants
• cereals
• legumes
• oilseeds
• medicinal plants
• endangered species
• horticultural crops
• genetic erosion
• biodiversity conservation and enhancement
• valuing plant genetic diversity
• plant wild relatives
• genetic improvement of crops
• DNA banking for plant breeding
• climate change resilience
• cultivar development
• agricultural productivity
• omics and biotechnological technologies

• Advances in Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Plant Species in Plants (14 articles)