Jinhua Cheng , Wei Wang

Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 5   
Received: 31 Aug., 2024    Accepted: 08 Oct., 2024    Published: 30 Oct., 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.

Maize (Zea mays) is one of the most important food crops globally, playing a crucial role in agriculture, food security, and biofuel production. Due to its significance, maize genomics research has gradually become a focal point of scientific inquiry. From early genetic studies to modern molecular biology technologies, significant progress has been made in maize genome research, driving advancements in breeding and crop improvement. This study reviews the historical progress of maize genomics research and analyzes current trends in genomics, particularly breakthroughs in genome sequencing, functional genomics, gene editing, systems biology, and epigenomics. It also explores the impact of these studies on maize crop improvement, genetic diversity conservation, and addressing global challenges such as climate change and food security. The research indicates that technologies like maize genome sequencing and CRISPR gene editing have significantly accelerated the breeding process, enhancing stress resistance, yield, and nutritional value. Furthermore, multi-omics integration and the application of systems biology have revealed the complexity of the maize genome and regulatory networks, providing new opportunities for personalized agriculture and precision breeding. Maize genomics not only provides critical genetic information for crop improvement but also offers new solutions for tackling global issues like food security, climate change, and nutritional enhancement. By systematically summarizing past and current research achievements, this study lays the theoretical foundation for the broad application of maize genomics in agriculture and uncovers the potential for precision breeding and personalized agriculture.

Maize; Gene editing; Functional genomics; Crop improvement; Precision breeding