Bioscience Evidence 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 122-130 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 122 Research Analysis Open Access Adaptation of Maize to Various Climatic Conditions: Genetic Underpinnings Xian Zhang, Minli Xu Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding author email: minli.xu@hitar.org Bioscience Evidence, 2024, Vol.14, No.3 doi: 10.5376/be.2024.14.0014 Received: 19 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 27 May, 2024 Published: 08 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhang and Xu, 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. Preferred citation for this article: Zhang X., and Xu M.L., 2024, Adaptation of maize to various climatic conditions: genetic underpinnings, Bioscience Evidence, 14(3): 122-130 (doi: 10.5376/be.2024.14.0014) Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) exhibits remarkable adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, a trait that has been extensively studied to understand its genetic underpinnings. This study synthesizes current research on the genetic basis of maize adaptation to various climates, focusing on key genomic regions and alleles associated with traits such as flowering time, drought tolerance, and cold resistance. Studies have highlighted the role of specific genes, such as Dwarf8 and Vgt2, in facilitating adaptation through diversifying selection and polygenic selection mechanisms. The evolutionary dynamics of maize adaptation involve both short-term and long-term processes, with significant contributions from admixture and independent introductions. Additionally, landraces play a crucial role in climate change adaptation, offering a reservoir of genetic diversity that can be harnessed for breeding stress-tolerant cultivars. This study underscores the importance of integrating genomic insights with traditional breeding practices to develop maize varieties capable of thriving under future climate scenarios. Keywords Maize (Zeamays L.); Climatic adaptation; Genetic underpinnings; Dwarf8; Vgt2 1 Introduction Maize (Zeamays L.), commonly known as corn, is one of the most significant cereal crops globally, serving as a staple food for humans and a primary feed for livestock. It is also a crucial raw material for various industrial products, including starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and bio-energy production (Jodage et al., 2018; Kumar et al., 2018; Zafar et al., 2019). Maize's versatility and high genetic yield potential have earned it the title "queen of cereals" (Kumar et al., 2018). Its cultivation spans a wide range of altitudes and climatic conditions, from sea level to highland regions up to 4 000 meters above sea level (Kumar et al., 2018; Hu et al., 2022). Climate change poses a significant threat to global agriculture, affecting crop yields and food security. Increased temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and the frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods are some of the challenges that crops, including maize, must adapt to (Moradi et al., 2014; Jodage et al., 2018; Zafar et al., 2019). These changes can lead to reduced growing seasons, increased heat stress, and water scarcity, all of which can negatively impact maize production (Moradi et al., 2014; Jodage et al., 2018). Understanding how maize adapts to various climatic conditions is essential for developing strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on crop production. By studying the genetic mechanisms underlying maize adaptation, researchers can identify key genes and traits that enable maize to thrive in different environments. This knowledge can inform breeding programs aimed at developing climate-resilient maize varieties (Moradi et al., 2014; Brandenburg et al., 2017; Lóránt et al., 2018). Maize's ability to adapt to diverse climatic conditions is a result of both natural selection and human-guided breeding. Genetic studies have revealed that maize has undergone significant adaptation since its domestication in Mexico, allowing it to be cultivated in a wide range of environments worldwide (Brandenburg et al., 2017; Swarts et al., 2017; Lóránt et al., 2018). For instance, ancient DNA analysis has shown that maize adapted to temperate regions through selection on standing genetic variation, enabling it to grow in shorter growing seasons (Swarts et al., 2017; Zahn, 2017). Additionally, research on highland maize has identified genes with divergent expression
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