Journal of Energy Bioscience 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 182-192 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 184 3.2 Candidate genes and pathways Some key genes related to maize biomass accumulation have been found. Most of them are related to processes such as cell division, hormone regulation, and cell wall formation (Zafar et al., 2022). Among them, lignin synthesis and cell wall modification are very important for the increase of biomass and the degradation of biomass. Some transcription factors and miRNAs can activate these related genes, thereby helping the cell wall to grow better (Carpita and McCann, 2008; Xie and Peng, 2011; Zafar et al., 2022). In addition to the structural aspect, carbon allocation and photosynthesis efficiency also affect biomass accumulation. For example, GLK transcription factors can regulate chloroplast development and photosynthesis-related genes, so that plants can accumulate more carbohydrates and increase biomass (Li et al., 2020). In addition, plant hormones such as auxin can also affect cell stretching, thereby promoting overall plant growth and biomass increase (Wang et al., 2019). 3.3 Molecular breeding Now, molecular techniques are also used in breeding, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection. These methods have been used to improve the biomass trait of corn. By collecting a large amount of genotype and trait data, researchers use genomic selection technology to predict biomass with a moderate accuracy of about 0.39 (Muraya et al., 2017), but it can already provide great help for breeding. The key sites and candidate genes found by GWAS and QTL also provide the basis for MAS (Rincent et al., 2014; Mazaheri et al., 2019). In addition, some modern technologies, such as hybridization and gene editing, have also been used to improve the yield and adaptability of corn (Zafar et al., 2022). These methods can help us screen higher-yielding and more energy-efficient corn varieties to meet the needs of bioenergy (Rincent et al., 2014; Mazaheri et al., 2019; Zafar et al., 2022). 4 Physiological and Morphological Traits Affecting Biomass 4.1 Photosynthetic efficiency Corn is a C4 plant. This plant has a relatively high photosynthetic efficiency and can convert carbon dioxide into organic matter more quickly, which is an important reason why it can grow a large amount of biomass. Studies have found that the appearance characteristics of leaves, such as area, width, and leaf area index (LAI), are closely related to internal indicators such as chlorophyll, pigment, and total nitrogen content. These factors will affect the effect of photosynthesis and determine whether corn can better utilize sunlight, water, and nutrients to accumulate more biomass (Lindsey et al., 2018; Ibraheem and El-Ghareeb, 2019). After the C4 metabolism and leaf structure of corn are optimized, it can photosynthesize faster and use less water. In this way, it can grow well even in drought or other adverse environments (Lindsey et al., 2018). 4.2 Stem architecture and internode elongation The corn stalk is the main part of its biomass. The thickness, length, thickness of the epidermis, and density of the vascular bundles of the stem all affect whether it can stand firmly, that is, its support and flexibility (Mazaheri et al., 2019; Pratikshya et al., 2025). Studies have shown that traits such as thick stems and high corn growth are closely related to yield. Moreover, these traits vary significantly between different varieties, which also provides a lot of room for selection in breeding (Rincent et al., 2014; Mazaheri et al., 2019). Some genes, such as Zmm22, not only affect the height of corn, but also other traits, such as the number of branches in the inflorescence (Mazaheri et al., 2019). The ratio of cellulose to lignin in the stem is also critical. More lignin will make the stem harder and less likely to fall; but a higher cellulose ratio is more conducive to later biomass processing. There should be a good balance between the two, ensuring both mechanical strength and convenient utilization (Pratikshya et al., 2025). 4.3 Root system architecture The root system is the key part of corn to absorb water and fertilizer. Its structure will directly affect whether the aboveground part can grow well, and it is a basic condition affecting biomass accumulation. How the roots grow and how they are distributed will determine whether it can adapt to harsh environments such as drought or soil pollution, thereby affecting overall growth (Kränzlein et al., 2021; Deng et al., 2024) (Figure 1). When
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==