About this Research Topic

Background

Genomics-assisted vegetable breeding integrates genomics, genetics, and breeding to enhance breeding programs. Traditional breeding methods in vegetable crops often rely solely on phenotypic selection, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and limited in scope. This approach may not efficiently capture the genetic variation underlying complex traits, hindering the development of improved vegetable varieties with desired agronomic traits, disease resistance, and stress tolerance. Additionally, the genetic basis of many important vegetable traits remains poorly understood, further impeding breeding progress.

Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing and genome-wide studies like GWAS and QTL mapping have provided breeders with genome-wide genetic insights, unraveling genetic complexities and aiding in the discovery of novel variations using molecular markers. Despite these advancements, there is still a need for more precise and efficient breeding strategies to address the challenges of sustainable agriculture, food security, and global nutrition.

This Research Topic aims to explore and advance the application of genomics-assisted breeding in vegetable crops. By integrating genomic tools such as next-generation sequencing, high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping, bioinformatics analysis, and quantitative molecular genetics, the goal is to gain deeper insights into the genetic architecture of vegetable crops. This will facilitate the identification and characterization of genomic regions associated with key traits, enabling the implementation of marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) strategies. The ultimate objective is to streamline the breeding process, enhance selection efficiency, and accelerate the development of improved vegetable varieties with desired traits.

To gather further insights in the field of genomics-assisted vegetable breeding, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Studies elucidating the genetic diversity and population structure of vegetable crops using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), SNP arrays, or other high-throughput genotyping methods.

- Investigations into the evolutionary history, gene flow, and genetic relationships among different vegetable germplasm collections.

- Research identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with important agronomic traits in vegetables, including yield, quality, pest and disease resistance, and abiotic-stress tolerance.

- Studies focusing on marker discovery and development for trait-specific molecular breeding applications, such as MAS and genomic selection.

- Investigations into the functional characterization of candidate genes underlying target traits through transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics approaches.

- Studies employing functional genomics tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and RNA interference (RNAi), to validate gene function and dissect regulatory networks in vegetable crops.

- Research utilizing GWAS approaches to identify genomic regions associated with complex traits in vegetable crops across diverse germplasm collections and environmental conditions.

- Studies exploring genotype-phenotype associations and marker-trait relationships to improve our understanding of the genetic basis of trait variation.

- Investigations evaluating the effectiveness of genomic selection approaches for trait improvement and cultivar development in vegetable breeding programs.

- Research integrating genomic data with traditional breeding methods to enhance selection efficiency, accelerate breeding cycles, and improve genetic gain.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Genomics; Omics Tools, Molecular Breeding, Under-Utilized Vegetables, Germplasm, Molecular Markers, Marker-Assisted Selection, Genomic Selection, Genetic Diversity Analysis and traits discovery, Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL), Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP), Genomic-Assisted Breeding, Genetic Mapping, High-Throughput Sequencing, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), Genomic Resources, Genebank genomics, landscape genomics.

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.

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