Genetic innovation in industrial crops: from genomics to breeding strategies

Industrial crop research is at the forefront of efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, serving as a critical foundation for industries such as fiber, oil, bioenergy, and pharmaceuticals. Despite the growing importance of industrial crops beyond traditional food systems, their genetic improvement has often lagged behind major staple crops. Recent advancements in genome sequencing and high-throughput genotyping have revolutionized the analysis of industrial crop germplasm, enabling the rapid identification of genes underlying complex quantitative traits. While notable progress has been made in cataloging genetic diversity and mapping traits associated with yield, stress tolerance, and morphological characteristics, challenges remain in fully leveraging these insights for efficient and targeted breeding. Existing gaps persist in understanding the regulation of key genes and translating genomic discoveries into practical breeding solutions for improved crop resilience and adaptability.This Research Topic aims to highlight and accelerate the integration of genomics with molecular breeding in industrial crops by fostering multidisciplinary contributions. The objective is to uncover the regulatory networks, genetic variants, and novel methodologies that underpin key agronomic traits, with an emphasis on improving plant architecture, grain yield, and responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. We seek to encourage research that not only expands the basic knowledge of industrial crop genomics but also demonstrates real-world breeding applications that address pressing agricultural and environmental challenges. Ultimately, this research aims to bridge the gap between genomics research and breeding innovation, promoting sustainable crop improvement for industrial applications.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses studies focused on industrial crops, emphasizing both foundational genomic discoveries and their application in breeding strategies. Submissions that utilize novel molecular, physiological, or computational approaches are particularly encouraged. To gather further insights in these areas, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:1 Comprehensive characterization and innovative utilization of industrial crop germplasm resources to unlock genetic potential2 Identification and functional analysis of genetic loci, genes, and regulatory networks by leveraging genomic technologies3 Dissection of mechanisms underlying adaptive development and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, informed by genomic data4 Application of genomics for the development of sustainable crop management practices and enhanced resistance breeding strategies5 Cutting-edge methodological and technological advances that facilitate trait mapping, molecular breeding, and large-scale functional genomics in industrial cropsOriginal research articles, reviews, methodological papers, and perspectives are all invited as contributions to this Research Topic. Topic editors: Qi Wang, Xiaoxu Li, Cun Guo, Mehanathan Muthamilarasan Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77113/genetic-innovation-in-industrial-crops-from-genomics-to-breeding-strategies