Editorial: Growth and development in horticultural crops: mechanisms, regulation, and innovation

Abstract

Fruit ripening and quality. Fruit ripening is a tightly regulated developmental transition with direct implications for postharvest shelf life, nutritional value, and consumer acceptance. Three studies illuminate novel regulatory nodes in tomato and strawberry. Sun et al. (https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1649082) demonstrate that the receptor-like kinase SlRLK-like acts as a positive regulator of tomato ripening by interacting with SlSWEET sugar transporters to enhance sugar accumulation, while also engaging ethylene and lycopene biosynthesis proteins (SlACS2, SlSAMS4, SlPSY1) to promote ethylene production and pigmentation. In contrast, Li et al. (https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1696915) identify RAR, a previously uncharacterized NAC transcription factor, as a negative modulator of climacteric ripening onset. RAR is highly expressed at the mature green stage and directly represses ACS2 expression, forming a feedback loop with ethylene that prevents premature ripening. Together, these studies reveal that ripening initiation is governed not only by positive activators but also by repressive checkpoints; this finding has clear implications for the precise-tuning harvest timing through genetic manipulation. Extending these insights to non-climacteric fruits, Chen et al. (https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1700348) employed integrative transcriptomics and WGCNA to compare two strawberry varieties with contrasting firmness and sweetness profiles. Their stage-resolved analysis revealed that firmness retention in 'Monterey' is associated with sustained expression of a NAC transcription factor (Fxa2Dg203497), whereas rapid softening in 'Three Princess' correlates with early activation of specific polygalacturonases and starch/sucrose metabolism genes. This work demonstrates that varietal differences in fruit quality arise from stage-specific transcriptional interplay between cell wall-disassembling enzymes and their regulators, providing candidate genes for breeding strawberries with optimized texture and flavor. Collectively, the articles in this Research Topic illustrate the power of integrating genomics, transcriptomics, gene editing, and comparative approaches to dissect the molecular networks underlying horticultural traits of agronomic and ornamental importance. They reveal that development and stress responses are governed by intricate regulatory circuits involving receptor-like kinases, transcription factors, hormone signaling, and epigenetic or post-translational mechanisms. Importantly, several studies demonstrate that targeting cis-regulatory elements, rather than coding sequences alone, offers a precise strategy for trait modulation with minimal pleiotropy. The application of pan-genomic and K-mer-based approaches further underscores the importance of capturing genetic diversity beyond single reference genomes.Looking forward, the translation of these fundamental discoveries into breeding programs and cultivation practices will require continued integration of multi-omics data, functional validation in diverse germplasm, and attention to genotype-byenvironment interactions. We hope this collection stimulates further research that bridges laboratory insights with field applications, ultimately contributing to more productive, resilient, and sustainable horticultural systems.