Manipulation of Plant Architecture for Crop Production

Plant architecture has been of interest to plant breeders for centuries, as it has a significant impact on the performance of crops. It refers to the physical structure of the plant, which is determined by the coordinated morphogenetic processes that result in changes in the shape, size, and number of cells in different body parts, and is characterized by the three-dimensional body. For each plant, the growth habit, internode length, stem shape, branching pattern, leaf size and shape, angle to the stem, and arrangement of the organs all contribute to the architecture. Understanding how plant architecture affects productivity enables the development of crops with improved architecture, and so far, model plant species have provided fundamental knowledge on this. Recent advances in genome editing have also provided a high throughput technology for targeted molecular-based modification of the genetic makeup. To tackle issues of plant density, lodging, yield increase, and harvesting requirements, a cross-disciplinary collaboration between plant breeders and biotechnologists is essential, as breeders focus on the macro scale while biotechnologists focus on the molecular. Manipulating plant architecture has the potential to revolutionize the way we grow plants, leading to more efficient and productive practices, as well as the development of resilient crops that can withstand various environmental stresses.

The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight recent advances in plant architecture based on genetic engineering and/or bioengineering of the environment. This may include research in plant molecular biology, RNA interference, transgenic plants, and genome editing. In view of this, we invite scientists working on plant architecture of crop species to contribute original research papers, critical reviews, and opinion articles to this topic.

We particularly encourage authors to submit manuscripts on the following themes:

- Novel approaches to understanding the genetic and molecular basis of plant architecture;
- Novel approaches to manipulating plant architecture;
- Interactions between environmental and genetic factors that influence plant architecture;
- Systematic approaches to identify genes associated with plant architecture;
- Advances in techniques to measure and analyze plant architecture;
- Advances in techniques to manipulate plant architecture;
- Integration of genetic and environmental approaches to manipulate plant architecture;
- Applications of plant architecture to increase yields and improve the sustainability of cropping systems;
- Applications of plant architecture to improve abiotic and biotic stress tolerance;
- Applications of plant architecture to increase the use of resources such as water, light, and fertilizer.

We believe that this Research Topic will provide a platform for researchers to share their latest findings, exchange ideas, and explore new research initiatives in the area of plant architecture.