Plant Sciences (PLS)

Section Information

Plant Sciences explore the structure, function, development, and diversity of plants from molecules to whole organisms and ecosystems. This field underpins food and fibre production, ecosystem services, and responses of vegetation to global environmental change.

Modern plant research combines physiology, anatomy, genetics, genomics, ecology, and modelling to understand how plants grow, sense their environment, and interact with other organisms. Experimental and computational tools, from microscopy and controlled environments to high-throughput phenotyping and omics, are used to link mechanisms to traits and performance.

This section will publish research articles, short communications, and reviews on plant structure and development, physiology and metabolism, genetics and breeding, stress biology, plant–microbe interactions, ecology and biodiversity, and integrative approaches that support sustainable crop improvement and resilient ecosystems.

Scope

Plant Anatomy, Morphology, and Development
- Structure and organization of cells, tissues, and organs
- Root, shoot, leaf, and reproductive development
- Meristems, pattern formation, and morphogenesis
- Developmental plasticity and architectural traits
Plant Physiology and Metabolism
- Photosynthesis, respiration, and carbon balance
- Water relations, transport processes, and stomatal function
- Mineral nutrition and primary metabolism
- Plant hormones, signalling networks, and growth regulation
Plant Genetics, Genomics, and Breeding
- Mendelian and quantitative genetics of key traits
- Genome structure, variation, and functional annotation
- Marker-assisted and genomic selection in crops
- Trait discovery and ideotype design for improvement
Plant–Environment Interactions and Stress Biology
- Responses to drought, heat, cold, and salinity
- Nutrient deficiencies, toxicities, and acclimation
- Light quality, UV, and changing atmospheric composition
- Physiological, molecular, and whole-plant stress adaptation
Plant Pathology and Plant–Microbe Interactions
- Biology and epidemiology of plant pathogens
- Host defence mechanisms and resistance genes
- Beneficial symbioses, endophytes, and biocontrol agents
- Plant microbiomes and their functional roles
Plant–Soil Relations and Rhizosphere Processes
- Root system architecture and soil exploration
- Rhizosphere chemistry, exudation, and nutrient cycling
- Interactions with soil biota and aggregates
- Plant traits for improved soil health and resource use
Plant Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation
- Population and community ecology of plants
- Functional traits, adaptation, and niche processes
- Vegetation dynamics under land use and climate change
- Conservation of wild relatives and threatened species
Seed Biology and Germination
- Seed development, maturation, and dormancy
- Germination ecology and establishment success
- Seed longevity, storage, and conservation
- Seed quality, vigour, and enhancement techniques
Weed Biology and Vegetation Management
- Ecology and evolution of weedy and invasive species
- Competition, interference, and crop–weed interactions
- Integrated and ecological weed management strategies
- Vegetation management in natural and managed systems
Plant Biotechnology, Tissue Culture, and Omics
- In vitro culture, regeneration, and transformation
- Cell, tissue, and organ culture for research and breeding
- Transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics
- Systems biology and data-driven plant science