Plants and People – A Shared History, a Shared Future

Abstract

This introductory article explores the unique relationship between humans and plants — from their shared evolutionary history and the domestication of crops, to their crucial role in shaping human civilization, landscapes, and medicine. It emphasizes that, in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing demands for food and medicines, integrating basic and applied plant research is essential. The article highlights the potential of modern technologies, such as phenomics, biotechnology, precision agriculture, and gene editing, to advance sustainable agriculture and the discovery of bioactive plant compounds. It also presents the thematic scope of this issue, which includes biodiversity conservation, innovative approaches in plant biotechnology, and the cultural and societal roles of plants. Altogether, it frames plants not merely as economic resources but as partners with whom we share both our past and the future of human civilization.