CALL FOR ARTICLES – Light on Flowering: the role of light spectrum in regulating flowering in horticultural crops

Horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, medicinal herbs, and aromatic spices, are pivotal in addressing diverse agricultural needs. Recent advances in understanding how different light spectra influence flowering in horticultural crops, especially with LED technology, have created new research opportunities, especially in controlled environments like greenhouses and vertical farms.

Optimizing the flowering processes in horticultural crops aligns with global sustainability efforts, reducing resource inputs and enhancing productivity. This research also has practical applications of value to horticulturalists, greenhouse managers, and vertical farming practitioners looking to maximize crop yields and quality. Additionally, this topic fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging scientific disciplines, such as plant physiology, plant breeding, molecular biology, and photobiology.

In this special issue, we welcome original research, comprehensive minireviews, technical focus papers, short communications, and viewpoints that explore the intricate relationship between light spectrum and flowering in horticultural crops. We welcome contributions on a wide range of horticultural species, including fruits, vegetables, ornamental, medicinal, and aromatic plants. We invite contributions in the following research areas, including but not limited to:

Photoperiodic regulation of flowering: Investigating the role of photoperiodism in the control of flowering in various horticultural species and how different (dynamic) light spectra influence the photoperiodic flowering process.

Photomorphogenesis, flower induction, and development: Analysing the effects of different light spectra, such as blue, red, far-red, green, and ultraviolet, on the initiation, progression, and development of flowering.

Light spectrum signals and flowering: Exploring the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying photomorphogenesis during flowering and the impact of light spectra on floral traits. Also, the molecular mechanisms that govern the interaction between light quality and flowering time pathways in horticultural crops.

Interaction of light spectra with environmental factors: Investigating how light spectra interact with other environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels, to shape flowering patterns.

 Role of daily light integral and light intensity in photoperiodic flowering: Studies investigating the physiological and molecular mechanisms behind the response of photoperiodic flowering and the development of floral traits in horticultural crops to daily light integral and light intensity.

 Crop-specific insights: Providing crop-specific case studies and insights into the photoperiodic and light spectrum requirements of flowering in horticultural species like fruits, vegetables, ornamental, medicinal and aromatic plants.

All submissions need to be sent via Wiley’s Research Exchange submission portal: wiley.atyponrex.com/journal/PPL.

Deadline: 31st october 2024

Good to know:
-no publication fee and free to view for two months (from Issue compilation)
-if you want to write a review: submit your abstract to the editorial office before end of April 2024. Based on the abstract, some reviews will be selected (to avoid review redundancies)

 

Guest editors