The Fourth Special Issue of The Horticulture Journal—Reproductive Biology of Fruit and Nut Tree Crops—

 

The Japanese Society for Horticultural Science has published special issues of The Horticulture Journal (Hort. J.) to further enhance the value and attractiveness of this journal. The theme of the fourth special issue is “Reproductive biology of fruit and nut tree crops.”

Reproductive development in plant species involves a series of dynamic and interesting biological events. In fruit and nut tree crops, reproductive events are essential for fruit and nut production because the reproductive organs develop into edible parts and are a source of products. A comprehensive understanding of reproduction in fruit and nut tree crops will lead to the improvement of fruit productivity, the development of seedless fruit, the practical and technical improvement of pollination and fertilization, and others. On the other hand, some fruit tree crops have inherent barriers that interrupt fertilization for hybrid formation, such as self-incompatibility and male or female sterility, which are intriguing topics in the basic science of plant reproduction, and an understanding of those topics will contribute to the breeding and creation of new cultivars. In addition, ongoing climate changes, namely, global warming, have affected reproductive processes in perennial trees, ultimately influencing fruit and nut production. In this regard, the study of the physiology of reproductive development has become increasingly important in recent years from the perspective of coping with such environmental changes.

Research of the reproductive system and process in fruit and nut trees has long been pursued and remains active as one of the central topics in horticultural research. This special issue has been launched for the purpose of disseminating recent research outcomes from society members to the academic community of horticulture and fruit and nut industries worldwide.