Journal of Energy Bioscience 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 182-192 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 188 flowering time, plant height and other traits. These findings can provide important clues for molecular breeding and precision seed selection (Rincent et al., 2014). Wu's team (2019) showed in their study that through genetic modification, such as making the zmm28 gene more expressed, maize can grow faster, photosynthesize more, use nitrogen fertilizer better, and finally have higher yields in the field. 7.3 Data-driven modeling Nowadays, many studies use data modeling methods to predict maize yield and biomass. Among them, machine learning and deep learning are the most used. Researchers input various data from remote sensing, such as vegetation index, structural index and heat index, into models such as support vector machines, random forests and convolutional neural networks, and can make accurate predictions for many corn traits. The prediction effect of some traits is very good, with an R²value of up to 0.85 (Nguyen et al., 2023). When the number of samples is relatively small or the data classification is not balanced, the use of multi-task deep learning models, coupled with data augmentation methods, can also improve the accuracy of predictions. Combining genetic data and phenotypic data for modeling (also called mixed model association analysis) can also help us find new QTLs related to biomass, which is also helpful for breeding decisions (Rincent et al., 2014). 8 Biotechnological Interventions 8.1 Transgenics and gene editing The use of genetic engineering methods to regulate photosynthesis-related genes in corn has been shown to significantly increase biomass yield. For example, the continuous expression of the GLK (GOLDEN2-LIKE) transcription factor in corn will increase the chlorophyll content and improve the efficiency of light absorption by the plant. Experiments have found that this has increased the yield of transgenic rice by 30-40% (Li et al., 2020). Although there is no direct report on the use of CRISPR/Cas technology to edit corn cell wall components, this technology provides us with a new idea. It can precisely regulate the synthesis of cell walls, help increase biomass, and lay the foundation for future research and application. 8.2 Synthetic biology approaches The goal of synthetic biology is to redesign or optimize the metabolic pathways of plants, so that corn can grow faster and produce more biomass. Although there is no literature specifically studying its application in energy corn, some research results can illustrate its potential. Scientists have successfully increased yields by regulating plant photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and stress resistance (Li et al., 2020; Du et al., 2024; Ji et al., 2024). One study used drip irrigation combined with integrated water and fertilizer technology, and the average biomass of corn increased by 26.8% over four years (Du et al., 2024). Other studies have found that treating soil with biomass carbon dots can affect microbial communities and ion flows, making corn more drought-resistant and increasing yields by up to 40.5% (Ji et al., 2024). 8.3 Challenges and ethics Although biotechnology looks promising, there are still many difficulties in its actual promotion. The relevant policies on genetic modification and gene editing are becoming more and more stringent, and the approval process is complicated, making it difficult for many new technologies to be promoted quickly. Secondly, many people still have concerns about genetically modified crops, worrying that they will have an impact on health or the environment, so public acceptance is not high, which also affects the progress of commercialization. Synthetic biology and gene editing have also raised some ethical issues, such as gene drift and species diversity protection, which need to be carefully considered and balanced in the policy and promotion process. 9 Case Study: A Regional Success in Biomass Maize Production 9.1 Location Germany is a representative country in Europe for developing biomass corn. They have been using corn as a raw material for biogas power generation for many years. As the demand for renewable energy increases, Germany has begun to promote corn cultivation throughout the country, using it as the main raw material for anaerobic digestion to produce methane and ultimately provide heat and electricity (Herrmann and Rath, 2012).
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