Genetic encoding of complex traits

Plants provide food for humans, directly or through their use as feed for animals. However, arable land is becoming scarce and resources, including water and fertilizers, are becoming depleted under the effects of global climate change and the growing human population.To ensure food security for future generations, new approaches to improve crop productivity based on fundamental knowledge are needed. This special issue describes progress in our understanding of four traits that may be important for the development of future crops