Shanjun Zhu , Wei Wang

Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang AandF University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 4   doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0017
Received: 30 May, 2024    Accepted: 02 Jul., 2024    Published: 18 Jul., 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.

Zhu S.Z., and Wang W., 2024, Teosinte and its role in maize genetic enhancement, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 15(4): 171-181 (doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0017)

This study explores the crucial role of teosinte in the genetic enhancement of maize. As the wild ancestor of modern maize, teosinte possesses rich genetic diversity and novel alleles that were lost during domestication, making it an important genetic resource for maize improvement. Research indicates that teosinte alleles can enhance various agronomic traits in maize, such as yield, stress resistance, and nutritional quality. For example, the introduction of the UPA2 allele from teosinte has significantly increased maize yield under high-density planting conditions by altering plant architecture. Additionally, teosinte's genetic diversity includes strong alleles that control kernel composition traits, such as starch, protein, and oil content, which can improve the nutritional value of maize. The integration of archaeological and molecular evidence has significantly advanced the understanding of the teosinte-maize relationship, highlighting the potential of teosinte in modern maize breeding programs. Techniques such as hybridization and backcrossing, marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing allow researchers to effectively utilize teosinte's genetic diversity to develop superior maize varieties with improved agronomic traits and resilience to environmental stresses. Despite the genetic barriers, breeding difficulties, and regulatory and ethical issues associated with using teosinte for maize improvement, these challenges can be overcome through global collaboration and germplasm conservation. In the future, advanced genomic tools and techniques, the exploration of new potential traits from teosinte, and the integration of teosinte into sustainable agriculture practices will fully realize its potential in maize genetic enhancement, leading to the development of superior maize varieties that meet the demands of modern agriculture and contribute to global food security.

Teosinte; Genetic diversity; Maize improvement; Alleles; Sustainable agriculture