Call for papers - Genetic solutions for resilient crop and livestock systems

Guest Editors

Harshit Kumar, PhD, ICAR – National Research Centre on Mithun, India
Oluwaseyi Shorinola, PhD, MSc, University of Birmingham, UK

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 3 December 2025

BMC Agriculture is calling for submissions to our Collection on genetic developments aimed at developing resilient crop and livestock systems. We welcome studies that explore developments in genetics for climate adaptation, disease resistance, and sustainable agricultural practices, with the goal of contributing to global food security and environmental sustainability.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Harshit Kumar, PhD, ICAR – National Research Centre on Mithun, India

Dr Kumar is an Agricultural Research Scientist at ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Nagaland, specializing in livestock genomics with a focus on Bos frontalis (Mithun). He received a PhD from ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, and his expertise spans SNP genotyping, big data analytics, and animal breeding, contributing to the conservation of indigenous cattle through advanced genomic techniques. Dr Kumar holds a Master's in Animal Genetics & Breeding and a Bachelor's in Veterinary Sciences with accolades like the ICAR-PGS scholarship and Vice Chancellor's Gold Medal. He is passionate about advancing livestock genomics for sustainable agriculture.

Oluwaseyi Shorinola, PhD, MSc, University of Birmingham, UK

Dr Shorinola is an Assistant Professor at the University of Birmingham, specializing in the genetic improvement of crops. His research leverages genomics and genetics approaches to uncover the genetic basis of productivity and quality traits. With a diverse industry, international development and academic background, he bridges fundamental genetic research with practical breeding applications. Dr Shorinola is particularly interested in the improvement and broader adoption of underutilized crops to diversify global nutrition.

About the Collection

As the global population continues to grow and environmental challenges intensify, the need for resilient agricultural systems has never been more critical. Genetic developments in crop and livestock systems offer promising solutions to enhance productivity, improve disease resistance, and adapt to changing climatic conditions. By leveraging advances in genetics and biotechnology, researchers are uncovering the genetic basis that contribute to resilience in crop and livestock systems. This Collection seeks to gather research that focuses on these developments and their applications in both crops and livestock.

The significance of genetic developments in agriculture lies in their potential to address pressing challenges such as food security and climate change. Recent breakthroughs in gene editing technologies, like CRISPR/Cas9, have accelerated the development of varieties that can withstand extreme weather events, pests, and diseases. Furthermore, these developments have the potential to improve nutritional quality and sustainability in agricultural practices, thereby reducing the reliance on chemical inputs.

Continued developments in genetic approach holds the promise of unlocking resilient agricultural systems. Future research may yield crops and livestock with enhanced traits that not only increase yield but also improve their adaptability to adverse environmental conditions. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Developments in crop genetics for disease resistance and climate adaptation
Genetic approaches to disease resistance in livestock
Role of genetics in sustainable agriculture
CRISPR applications in crop and livestock improvement

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Genetic solutions for resilient crop and livestock systems" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.