About this Research Topic
Pollen is a vital organ containing half of the genetic material needed for the next plant generation and microorganisms on its surface and within. Pollen can also carry a paucispecific community of endophytes transmitted to the following generation: inter- and intra-generation transmission. These pollen-associated microbes can interfere with several metabolic processes and benefit the plant throughout the development process, aiding in pollen germination. However, their mechanistic roles in regulating genes and transmission from generation to generation and their actual diversity across plant species and families are still unknown. Considering that the plant microbiome is recognized more and more as an essential component of the plant holobiont, further research effort is needed to extend our knowledge on this topic and to produce both basic and applied experimental evidence to integrate pollen microbiology into crop management in the context of a future, more sustainable, precision agriculture. Additionally, the pollen microbiome can influence human allergies by interacting with pollen proteins, potentially affecting allergenicity.
It would be beneficial to understand the function of microorganisms in regulating genetic and physiological variables under biotic and abiotic stress conditions by investigating the microbiology of pollen. It would also aid in identifying prospective microorganisms that may be used in breeding new plant varieties or in creating new habitats to meet future demand to increase crop yield and quality.
The scope of this collection is to use microbial techniques (both cultivation-dependent and independent), traditional breeding approaches, advanced molecular methods of crop improvement and ecology to address critical scientific questions in aspects of pollen microbiology including, but not limited to:
- Vertical and horizontal transfer of microorganisms from generation to generation.
- Harmful pollen microbes associated with allergies.
- Diversity of pollen microorganisms and their potential roles in the physiology of plants.
- Pollen microbiology for crop improvement.
- Advanced methods and techniques for the characterization of pollen microbiome.
- Specific breeding approaches for enhancing endophytic microbial populations.
- Ecological perspectives of pollen-associated microbes and their effects on crop growth and yield.
The following articles are welcome for submission: Original Research, Reviews, and Mini Reviews.
It would be beneficial to understand the function of microorganisms in regulating genetic and physiological variables under biotic and abiotic stress conditions by investigating the microbiology of pollen. It would also aid in identifying prospective microorganisms that may be used in breeding new plant varieties or in creating new habitats to meet future demand to increase crop yield and quality.
The scope of this collection is to use microbial techniques (both cultivation-dependent and independent), traditional breeding approaches, advanced molecular methods of crop improvement and ecology to address critical scientific questions in aspects of pollen microbiology including, but not limited to:
- Vertical and horizontal transfer of microorganisms from generation to generation.
- Harmful pollen microbes associated with allergies.
- Diversity of pollen microorganisms and their potential roles in the physiology of plants.
- Pollen microbiology for crop improvement.
- Advanced methods and techniques for the characterization of pollen microbiome.
- Specific breeding approaches for enhancing endophytic microbial populations.
- Ecological perspectives of pollen-associated microbes and their effects on crop growth and yield.
The following articles are welcome for submission: Original Research, Reviews, and Mini Reviews.
Keywords: Pollen, Microbiome, Crop Improvement, Endophytes, Stress Tolerance, Epigenetics, Methylome, Vertical Transmission, Human Allergies
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
