New genomic approaches for enhancing maize genetic improvement

Ning Yang; Jianbing Yan

doi:10.1016/j.pbi.2020.11.002

New genomic approaches for enhancing maize genetic improvement

Curr Opin Plant Biol. 2021 Apr:60:101977. doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2020.11.002. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Authors

Ning Yang¹, Jianbing Yan²

Affiliations

¹ National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address: ningy@mail.hzau.edu.cn.
² National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address: yjianbing@mail.hzau.edu.cn.

PMID: 33418269
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2020.11.002

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays) is one of the most widely grown crops in the world, with an annual global production of over 1147 million tons. Genomics approaches are thought to be the best solution for accelerating yield improvement to meet the challenges of a growing population and global climate change. Here, we review current approaches to the exploration of novel genetic variation in genomes, DNA modifications, and transcription levels of cultivated maize, landraces, and wild relatives. We discuss applications of genetic engineering to maize yield improvement and highlight future directions for maize genomics studies.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Crops, Agricultural / genetics
Genetic Variation
Genome, Plant* / genetics
Genomics
Zea mays* / genetics