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Call for papers - Plant reproductive systems: genetics and evolution

Guest Editors

Shyam Sundar Dey, PhD, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India
Madhu Sharma, PhD, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, India
Dawei Xu, PhD, University of Georgia, USA

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 28 November 2025


BMC Plant Biology launches the Collection Plant reproductive systems: genetics and evolution, welcoming research that explores the genetic basis underlying the diversity of plant reproductive systems, and the role of reproductive traits in plant evolution and adaptation to a constantly changing natural environment. The collection aims to enhance our understanding of plant reproductive biology and its relevance for conservation and sustainable agriculture. The collection will only consider studies showing a clear focus on plants/crops, and/or plant-related agricultural practices.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Shyam Sundar Dey, PhD, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India 

Dr Shyam Sundar Dey is engaged in the development of superior cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and doubled haploid (DH) lines in Brassica vegetables, ensuring these lines are free from any floral deformities. He has utilized these CMS and DH lines in the development of F1 hybrids. DR Dey’s research interest lies in understanding the genetic and molecular basis of economically important traits in cucurbits and Brassicas, as well as developing molecular markers and marker-assisted backcross introgression. Specifically, he is involved in developing gynoecious and parthenocarpic inbreds in cucumber and has identified the genomic regions and developed molecular markers for parthenocarpy, gynoecism, resistance to downy mildew, and leaf curl disease (LCD) in cucumber. He has also developed molecular markers associated with floral deformities in Ogura-based CMS lines in Brassica oleracea. 

Madhu Sharma, PhD, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, India 

Dr Madhu Sharma began her career at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (India), in May 2016. Her research focuses on improving alliums, brinjal, and cucurbits, with an emphasis on male sterility, fertility restoration, hull-less seeds, and begomovirus resistance by integrating conventional breeding with advanced molecular and genomic approaches. Dr Sharma has contributed to the release of one hybrid each in onion and brinjal, two begomovirus-resistant pumpkin varieties, and the new salad crop Punjab Tarwanga-1.  

Dawei Xu, PhD, University of Georgia, USA 

Dr Dawei Xu is a senior researcher at the University of Georgia, specializing in plant developmental biology and immune regulation. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying de novo root regeneration and plant immune responses in Arabidopsis. With a PhD from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dr Xu has contributed to groundbreaking studies on male sterility in rice and abiotic stress responses, published in prestigious journals such as Plant Physiology and New Phytologist. Combining innovative experimental systems and molecular biology, his work bridges fundamental science and agricultural applications, offering insights into sustainable crop improvement and resilience in challenging environments. 


About the Collection

Plants have developed different reproductive strategies, such as self-fertilization, cross-pollination, and large diversity of sexual systems, to enhance their reproductive success. Studying the ecological and underlying genetic basis of variation in plant reproduction is crucial to reveal how reproductive characters evolved in plants, and how reproduction is linked to plant fitness and influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. The integration of genetic, genomic, phylogenetic, population-genetic and ecological studies has provided new insights into the selective mechanisms that are responsible for major evolutionary transitions between reproductive modes, as well as their functional implications.

BMC Plant Biology launches the Collection Plant reproductive systems: genetics and evolution, welcoming research that explores the genetic basis underlying the diversity of plant reproductive systems, the role of pollinators, and the role of reproductive traits in plant evolution and adaptation to a constantly changing natural environment. The collection aims to enhance our understanding of plant reproductive biology and its relevance for conservation and sustainable agriculture. The collection will only consider studies showing a clear focus on plants/crops, and/or plant-related agricultural practices. We invite researchers and experts in the field to submit research articles that explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:   

  • Diversity and genetic basis of plant reproductive systems 
  • Evolution of plant mating and reproductive systems 
  • Evolution and genetics of sexual dimorphism in flowering plants 
  • Evolution and genetics of various sex forms and their utilization in flowering plants 
  • Epigenetic factors influencing the plant reproductive biology 
  • The role of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation in plant reproductive systems 
  • The influence of environmental biotic and abiotic stress on plant reproduction and plant reproductive traits 
  • The role of cytoplasmic and genic male sterility in plant reproduction 
  • Plant breeding systems and their evolutionary implications 
  • Evolution of floral traits and its impact on pollination mechanisms 
  • The role of pollinators in plant reproductive systems 


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.

Image credit: ©  Gregory_DUBUS / Getty Images / iStock

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 "Plant reproductive systems: genetics and evolution" 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.