Applications of Single-Cell Transcriptomics in Horticultural Plants

ABSTRACT: Horticultural crops play a pivotal role in global agriculture by providing essential nutrients and bioactive compounds that contribute to human health, economic development, and environmental sustainability. However, understanding the complex genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying their growth, development, and stress responses remains challenging due to the inherent cellular heterogeneity in these organisms. The advent of single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-seq) has revolutionized the study of cellular heterogeneity, enabling researchers to uncover the regulatory networks governing critical traits, such as fruit quality, yield, and stress resilience in horticultural plants. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the scRNA-seq method, including its technological principles and workflow, and highlights its key applications in horticultural plant research. By bridging the gap between technological advancements and practical applications, this review aims to inspire further exploration and utilisation of scRNA-seq to unravel the complexities of horticultural crops and enhance their agricultural potential.