Genetic Architecture of Kernel Development in Cereal Crops
A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Breeding and Genetics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2026 | Viewed by 1641
Special Issue Editors
Interests: seed development; yield improve; maize; plant disease resistance
Interests: seed development and germination; seed production
Interests: genomic-enhanced breeding; breeding tool development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Cereal crops, including wheat, rice, maize, barley, and sorghum, serve as the cornerstone of global food security, providing over 50% of the world’s caloric intake. The development of cereal kernels — encompassing grain size, composition, and nutritional quality — is a complex process governed by intricate genetic and molecular networks. Understanding the genetic architecture of kernel development is pivotal for advancing crop improvement strategies aimed at enhancing yield, and nutritional value under rapidly changing climatic conditions.
To address these challenges and opportunities, we are launching a Special Issue in Agronomy titled “Genetic Architecture of Kernel Development in Cereal Crops”. This Issue will focus on cutting-edge research that elucidates the genetic, genomic, and molecular mechanisms underlying kernel formation, maturation, and quality traits. We invite contributions spanning the following themes:
- Genetic and molecular regulation of key developmental stages in cereal kernels, from fertilization to grain filling;
- Innovative technologies (e.g., CRISPR, multi-omics integration) for dissecting kernel development pathways;
- Abiotic and biotic stress interactions affecting kernel development and strategies for resilience;
- Nutritional and safety improvements through the genetic modulation of starch, protein, lipid, and micronutrient biosynthesis.
This Special Issue aims to synthesize interdisciplinary knowledge from genetics, genomics, physiology, and agronomy to accelerate the design of next-generation cereal varieties. By bridging fundamental discoveries with applied breeding, we aspire to contribute to sustainable agriculture and food systems in the face of population growth and environmental pressures. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that advance our understanding of kernel development.
Dr. Yu Cui
Dr. Xuemei Du
Dr. Hongwei Zhang
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
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. Agronomy 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 2600 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.
Keywords
- kernel development
- endosperm
- embryo
- cereal
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