Research Vision
My research investigates the genetic architecture and evolutionary mechanisms governing fruit crop resilience and quality. Combining haplotype-resolved genome assemblies, transcriptomics, and untargeted metabolomics, my work deciphers how local grapevine germplasm in Central Asia adapted to climatic extremes and how phytohormonal crosstalk coordinates defenses against fungal pathogens.
Core Research Themes
Grapevine Domestication & Genomics
Haplotype-resolved genome assembly and re-sequencing of ancient and regional Xinjiang germplasm (e.g., 'Munage') to reconstruct evolutionary lineages and trait selection.
Biotic Stress & Rootstock Crosstalk
Deciphering molecular signaling pathways, transcriptional reprogramming, and hormonal balances mitigating gray mold and powdery mildew pathogenesis in horticultural crops.
Berry Quality & Nutritional Metabolomics
Profiling secondary metabolites, sugar dynamics, and dehydration kinetics underlying raisin nutrition, berry cracking, and antioxidant capacity.
Candidate Gene Mining
Functional mining and characterization of candidate gene families (Trihelix, Dirigent, BPC, and Laccase) conferring resilience under abiotic and thermal fluctuations.
Special Issue Guest Editor Roles
Invited guest editorial leadership in international peer-reviewed journals.
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Guest Editor — MDPI International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS)
Genetic and Molecular Diversity Underlying Metal Tolerance and Homeostasis in Plants (Section: Molecular Plant Sciences).
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Guest Editor — MDPI Horticulturae
Challenges for Berry Crop Production and Pathogens Protection (Section: Fruit Production Systems).
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Guest Editor — NZJCHS (Taylor & Francis / Wiley)
Embryo, Stone, and Fruit Development in Crops: Integrating Breeding, Genetics, and Multi-Omics.
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Selected Key Publications
Highlighted first- and corresponding-author contributions.
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2026
Corresponding Cheng, Y., Yadav, V., and Zhang, C. VviWRKY50-Mediated Repression of VviPME39 Underpins Gibberellin-Induced Resistance to Fruit Cracking in Grape. Plant, Cell & Environment 0: 1–15. doi:10.1111/pce.70720
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2026
First Author Yadav, V., Wang, H., Zhang, F., Gruda, N.S., Zhang, C., Zhang, S., Zhou, X., Zhong, H., Zhang, D., Wu, X. Rootstock-enhanced gray mold resistance through phytohormonal crosstalk and transcriptional reprogramming. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 236:111430. doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2026.111430
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2026
Corresponding Zhang, C., Lyu, S., Yadav, V. Multi-Variety Metabolomic Profiling Uncovers Conserved and Divergent Metabolites Underlying Antioxidant Potential in Grape Dehydration. Applied Food Research, 102284.
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2026
Corresponding Zhang, C., Lyu, S., Yadav, V. Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Color-Dependent Nutritional Variation in Raisins: Insights into Composition and Antioxidant Capacity. Antioxidants 15:401.
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2025
First Author Yadav, V., Zhang, F., Wang, H., Zhang, C., Zhang, S., Zhang, J., Xu, N., Zhou, X., Zhong, H., Wu, X. Identification of trihelix transcription factors in grapevine and expression dynamics in response to biotic stress and hormone treatment. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 137:102628. doi:10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102628
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2024
First Author Yadav, V., Zhong, H., Patel, M.K., Zhang, S., Zhou, X., Zhang, C., Zhang, J., Su, J., Zhang, F., Wu, X. Integrated omics-based exploration for temperature stress resilience: An approach to smart grape breeding strategies. Plant Stress 11:100356. doi:10.1016/j.stress.2024.100356
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2024
Corresponding Wang, H., Zhong, H., Zhang, F., Zhang, C., Zhang, S., Zhou, X., Wu, X., Yadav, V. Identification of Grape Laccase Genes and Their Potential Role in Secondary Metabolite Synthesis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25(19):10574. doi:10.3390/ijms251910574
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2022
First Author Yadav, V., Wang, Z., Yanliang, G., Zhang, X. Comparative transcriptome profiling reveals the role of phytohormones and phenylpropanoid pathway in early-stage resistance against powdery mildew in watermelon. Frontiers in Plant Science 13:1016822. doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.1016822
Show Additional Publications & Collaborative Articles (20+ papers)
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2025
Zhong, H., Shi, X., Zhang, F., Yao, J., Wang, X., Yadav, V., et al. Haplotype-resolved assemblies provide insights into genomic makeup of the oldest grapevine cultivar (Munage) in China. Horticulture Research, uhaf274.
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2025
Xu, N., Zhang, S., Zhou, X., Ma, X., Ayiguzeli, M., Zhong, H., Zhang, F., Zhang, C., Yadav, V., Wu, X., Mei, X. VvNAC33 functions as a key regulator of drought tolerance in grapevine by modulating reactive oxygen species production. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry:109971.
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2024
Zhang, C., Yang, Y., Zhang, S., Yadav, V., Zhong, H., Zhang, F., Zhou, X., Wu, X., Cao, X., Cui, L. Mining candidate genes for grape seed traits based on a genome-wide association study. Horticultural Plant Journal.
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2022
Yadav, V., Sarker, A., Yadav, A., et al. Integrated biorefinery approach to valorize citrus waste: A sustainable solution for resource recovery and environmental management. Chemosphere 293:133459.
Editorial Roles & Professional Memberships
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Associate Editor / Editorial Board
New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science (Taylor & Francis / Wiley)
Official Board Link → -
Editorial & Review Board
International Journal of Vegetable Science (Taylor & Francis)
Official Board Link → - Reviewer Board Member International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) • 80+ Peer Reviews Completed
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Professional Memberships
• International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)
• American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)
• Horticultural Society of India (HSI) — Life Member
• Indian Society of Vegetable Science (ISVS) — Life Member
• Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society (SPPS), Sweden
Awards & Competitive Fellowships
- 2023 Peking University Molecular Breeding Academy (MBA-2023) Fellowship
- 2019 Hebrew University of Jerusalem Summer Fellowship (Israel)
- 2018 China Government Scholarship (CSC) – Bilateral Exchange Program
- 2018 ASRB-NET (National Eligibility Test Qualified), ICAR New Delhi
- 2017 DST-INSPIRE Fellowship (Govt. of India) & University Gold Medal / First Rank
- 2015 First Rank / University Gold Medal in B.Sc. Horticulture
At a Glance
Current Appointment
Associate Researcher cum Post-Doc (2023–Present)
Host Institution
Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, China
Doctorate
Ph.D. in Horticulture, Northwest A&F University (2018–2022)
Contact & Inquiries
vivekyadav@nwafu.edu.cn • vivek-yadav94@outlook.com