Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Stress Resistance and Quality Formation in Root and Tuber Crops

Root and tuber crops (e.g., potato, sweet potato, cassava) are critical global food and economic resources, feeding billions and supporting rural livelihoods. However, their productivity and quality are severely threatened by abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, cold) and changing climates, which disrupt growth, reduce yields, and degrade nutritional value. Despite decades of research, the molecular mechanisms underlying stress resistance (e.g., osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense) and quality formation (e.g., starch biosynthesis, anthocyanin accumulation) in these crops remain poorly characterized, particularly regarding multi-gene regulatory networks, epigenetic modifications, and crosstalk between stress signaling and metabolic pathways. Elucidating these mechanisms is pivotal to developing targeted breeding strategies for climate-resilient, high-quality root and tuber varieties, thereby ensuring global food security and agricultural sustainability.

This Research Topic aims to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying stress resistance and quality formation in root and tuber crops. We seek to identify key regulatory genes, elucidate crosstalk between stress signaling pathways and metabolic processes, and characterize epigenetic modifications that influence these traits. By integrating multi-omics data and functional validation, we aim to provide actionable insights for breeding climate-resilient, high-quality root and tuber varieties.

We welcome submissions of original research papers, reviews, and methods focused on the molecular mechanisms regulating stress resistance and quality formation in root and tuber crops, including but not limited to research on the following sub-themes:

• Investigate signaling pathways and regulatory networks underlying abiotic stress tolerance (drought, salinity, cold)

• Identify and characterize genes controlling quality traits (starch biosynthesis, anthocyanin accumulation, storage organ development)

• Employ multi-omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to link molecular changes with phenotypic outcomes

• Develop novel strategies for breeding climate-resilient, high-quality varieties

Article types and fees

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

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• 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:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Abiotic stress tolerance, Quality formation, Root/tuber crops, Molecular regulation, Crop breeding

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.