Nature Plants

This is an opportunity for Nature Genetics to emphasize the use of genetic and genomic tools and resources in discovering new plant biology and solving major agricultural challenges. We are particularly interested in attracting research articles on the genetic architecture of plant traits and crop plant performance, fundamental functional genomics of plant growth and development, natural and agricultural variation in plant species, and genomic methods for studying genetic and gene-environment variation. In seeking research papers, we will progressively move from the identification of mutations and quantitative trait loci, first reference genomes and new components of existing developmental pathways to emphasize in particular the use of genomic resources for new biology (for example, see page 530) and for solving agricultural challenges. Together with marker-assisted plant breeding, research and the development of genetically modified crop plants (GMOs) have an important place in the future of plant science Expanding upon the genetic discovery effort of which we are a part, Nature Plants (http://www.nature.com/nplants/) will also engage with the social and economic dimensions of plant science, climate change, policy-ready science, food security and distribution, and the next green revolution.