Basic research into the fundamental aspects of plant structure, function, and development has been mainly focused on model species such as Arabidopsis and has significantly increased our knowledge and understanding of the processes and mechanisms common to all plants. However, many of these findings cannot be easily translated into crops. Many crops are polyploids, highly heterogeneous, and possess complex traits that may be difficult to enhance. Thus, it takes considerable effort to translate the discoveries in basic research into applied research for crop trait improvement. As a result, although various genes have been discovered to enhance plant drought tolerance in growth chambers or greenhouses, only one cultivar has been released to the market for field production; Monsanto’s DroughtGard TM maize, which is generated by the transformation of a cold shock protein B (CspB) gene from Bacillus subtilis.
Because the genetic makeups and optimal growth conditions of crops are often so different to that of model plants, we need to incorporate creative thinking to translate results from model plants to crops. Translational research should take a holistic and cross-disciplinary approach. This requires extensive knowledge of the genetic components and mechanisms of the relevant traits, whose character depends on the interactions among genetics, epigenetics, and environmental conditions. Novel genes or gene components (e.g. promoters, promoter motifs, exons, introns, UTRs, etc.) could also be used to enhance crop traits. Additionally, innovative biotechnologies could be developed to conduct translational research. Synthetic biology could also be employed to bioengineer crops.
For this Research Topic, we encourage authors to submit original translational research on crop trait improvement including studies in Arabidopsis and other model plants. Manuscripts with a field trial component that demonstrate the effects of trait improvement in an agricultural setting are strongly encouraged. Particularly, we wish to include manuscripts on the following themes:
• Crop breeding traits (such as yield, quality, biotic stress resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance);
• Crop management traits (including herbicide tolerance, fertilization, etc.)
Keywords:
translational research, arabidopsis, model plants, crops, crop yield, stress
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.
Basic research into the fundamental aspects of plant structure, function, and development has been mainly focused on model species such as Arabidopsis and has significantly increased our knowledge and understanding of the processes and mechanisms common to all plants. However, many of these findings cannot be easily translated into crops. Many crops are polyploids, highly heterogeneous, and possess complex traits that may be difficult to enhance. Thus, it takes considerable effort to translate the discoveries in basic research into applied research for crop trait improvement. As a result, although various genes have been discovered to enhance plant drought tolerance in growth chambers or greenhouses, only one cultivar has been released to the market for field production; Monsanto’s DroughtGard TM maize, which is generated by the transformation of a cold shock protein B (CspB) gene from Bacillus subtilis.
Because the genetic makeups and optimal growth conditions of crops are often so different to that of model plants, we need to incorporate creative thinking to translate results from model plants to crops. Translational research should take a holistic and cross-disciplinary approach. This requires extensive knowledge of the genetic components and mechanisms of the relevant traits, whose character depends on the interactions among genetics, epigenetics, and environmental conditions. Novel genes or gene components (e.g. promoters, promoter motifs, exons, introns, UTRs, etc.) could also be used to enhance crop traits. Additionally, innovative biotechnologies could be developed to conduct translational research. Synthetic biology could also be employed to bioengineer crops.
For this Research Topic, we encourage authors to submit original translational research on crop trait improvement including studies in Arabidopsis and other model plants. Manuscripts with a field trial component that demonstrate the effects of trait improvement in an agricultural setting are strongly encouraged. Particularly, we wish to include manuscripts on the following themes:
• Crop breeding traits (such as yield, quality, biotic stress resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance);
• Crop management traits (including herbicide tolerance, fertilization, etc.)
Keywords:
translational research, arabidopsis, model plants, crops, crop yield, stress
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.