Jiong Fu

Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 1   doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0005
Received: 15 Dec., 2023    Accepted: 18 Jan., 2024    Published: 26 Feb., 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.

Fu J., 2024, Teosinte and maize: comparative genomics and agricultural impact, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 15(1): 34-47 (doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0005)

Teosinte, the wild ancestor of maize, has been instrumental in understanding the genetic and evolutionary processes involved in maize domestication. This study synthesizes current knowledge on the comparative genomics of teosinte and maize, highlighting key findings in genome structure, genetic differences, and functional genomics. It explores the significant yield and productivity improvements in maize through the introgression of teosinte alleles, enhanced stress tolerance and disease resistance, and nutritional enhancements. The study discusses the biotechnological applications, including genetic engineering and breeding programs, that leverage teosinte’s genetic diversity for crop improvement. Conservation strategies for teosinte genetic resources and their sustainable utilization are also examined. The study concludes by identifying challenges and future research directions in the field, emphasizing the importance of integrating advanced genomic technologies and comprehensive conservation efforts to ensure the continued enhancement of maize.

Teosinte; Comparative genomics; Domestication; Genetic diversity; Stress tolerance; Crop improvement