Tianxia Guo

Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, China
Author    Correspondence author
Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 1   doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0002
Received: 08 Dec., 2023    Accepted: 12 Jan., 2024    Published: 26 Jan., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Guo T.X., 2024, Unraveling key genetic factors in corn quality improvement through GWAS, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 15(1): 9-16 (doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0002)

Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) are a powerful genetic tool that has been widely applied in the field of crop quality improvement in recent years. Particularly in corn, as one of the world's important food and feed crops, improving its quality is crucial to meet the growing demand for food. This article reviews the application of GWAS in analyzing the genetic basis of corn quality-related traits, focusing on the genetic regulatory mechanisms of key traits such as starch content, protein content, and oil content. We summarize recent research progress, including key genetic loci discovered through GWAS and their potential impact on corn quality. Moreover, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of applying GWAS findings in corn breeding practices, and how to utilize the latest biotechnologies, such as CRISPR gene editing, for precise trait improvement in corn. Finally, the article proposes future research directions, emphasizing the importance of integrating various genetic and genomic tools to comprehensively understand the genetic mechanisms behind corn quality formation.

Quality improvement; Genetic factors; CRISPR gene editing; Genetic loci; Biotechnology