Selection and Breeding of Woody Species: From Field Trials to Genetic Improvement

Woody plant species, including forest trees, fruit crops, and perennial vines, are of major importance for agricultural production, bio-based industries, and ecosystem sustainability. Enhancing yield, quality, and environmental adaptability in these species represents a central challenge due to climate change, biotic and abiotic stresses, and increasing demands for sustainable production systems. Breeding of woody species has traditionally relied on long term phenotypic evaluation and field trials, reflecting their complex life cycles and perennial nature. In recent years, advances in applied genetics have supported more efficient selection strategies through the analysis of quantitative traits, the use of molecular markers, and multi environment testing. This Research Topic focuses on genetic and breeding approaches that substantially engage genomics to improve woody species across diverse production systems, integrating classical breeding methodologies with genomics enabled tools.The improvement of woody crops is challenged by long breeding cycles, complex quantitative traits, and strong interactions between genotype and environment. Despite their economic and ecological importance, breeding efforts in many woody species remain constrained by the time and resources required for reliable selection. This Research Topic aims to address these challenges by bringing together studies that apply effective breeding and genetic evaluation strategies across diverse woody crops, including forest trees, fruit species, and perennial vines. Emphasis will be placed on approaches that combine robust phenotypic assessment, field trials conducted under contrasting environments, and the use of molecular marker assisted selection to support decision making in breeding programs. In scope contributions should pair robust phenotyping and multi environment trials with genetic data and analyses, for example genome wide marker datasets, genomic prediction, QTL mapping, or association approaches, with clear relevance to selection decisions in breeding programs. By integrating classical selection methodologies with applied genetic tools, this Research Topic seeks to highlight practical solutions that improve selection efficiency, enhance trait stability, and support the development of resilient and productive woody varieties suitable for sustainable agricultural and forestry systems.This Research Topic welcomes contributions focusing on genetic improvement and breeding of woody crops, including forest trees, fruit species, and perennial vines. The scope includes studies addressing phenotypic and genetic variation of quantitative traits related to yield, growth, quality, and adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. Particular emphasis is placed on breeding strategies based on field trials, multi environment testing, genotype by environment interactions, and selection approaches supported by molecular markers. We particularly welcome studies that use genomics as a core component, including genome wide genotyping, GWAS, QTL mapping, genomic selection and prediction, haplotype-based analyses, and other genomics informed approaches that strengthen trait dissection and accelerate selection. Contributions may also explore clonal selection, genetic evaluation methods, and applied quantitative genetics relevant to breeding programs. The Research Topic accepts Original Research articles, Reviews, and Brief Research Reports that present solid experimental designs, applied genetic analyses, and practical implications for breeding and selection.Note: Studies based only on phenotypic evaluation or public field trial data without a substantive genetic component are outside the scope of this Research Topic. Topic editors: Chiara Biselli Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77533/selection-and-breeding-of-woody-species-from-field-trials-to-genetic-improvement