Maize Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 36-48 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 36 Feature Review Open Access Teosinte and Maize: Comparative Genomics and Agricultural Impact JiongFu Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding author email: Jiong.fu@hitar.org Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.1 doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0005 Received: 08 Jan., 2024 Accepted: 11 Feb., 2024 Published: 26 Feb., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Fu, 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: Fu J., 2024, Teosinte and maize: comparative genomics and agricultural impact, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 15(1): 37-48 (doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0005) Abstract Teosinte, the wild ancestor of maize, has been instrumental in understanding the genetic and evolutionary processes involved in maize domestication. This study synthesizes current knowledge on the comparative genomics of teosinte and maize, highlighting key findings in genome structure, genetic differences, and functional genomics. It explores the significant yield and productivity improvements in maize through the introgression of teosinte alleles, enhanced stress tolerance and disease resistance, and nutritional enhancements. The study discusses the biotechnological applications, including genetic engineering and breeding programs, that leverage teosinte’s genetic diversity for crop improvement. Conservation strategies for teosinte genetic resources and their sustainable utilization are also examined. The study concludes by identifying challenges and future research directions in the field, emphasizing the importance of integrating advanced genomic technologies and comprehensive conservation efforts to ensure the continued enhancement of maize. Keywords Teosinte; Comparative genomics; Domestication; Genetic diversity; Stress tolerance; Crop improvement 1 Introduction Teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis) is the wild ancestor of modern maize (Zea mays ssp. mays). The transformation of teosinte into maize is a prime example of domestication that has significantly impacted agricultural practices. Teosinte and maize differ drastically in their morphological traits, such as the structure of their inflorescences and kernels, yet they share a common genetic foundation. The morphological differences are primarily controlled by a few key genetic loci, such as teosinte branched1 (tb1), which influences plant architecture and inflorescence development (Doebley et al., 1995). Comparative genomics, the study of similarities and differences in the genetic material of different organisms, plays a crucial role in understanding the evolutionary processes and genetic modifications underlying domestication. By comparing the genomes of teosinte and maize, researchers can identify genetic variations that have been selected during domestication, such as copy number variations (CNVs) and presence-absence variations (PAVs) (Swanson-Wagner et al., 2010). These insights are vital for improving modern maize varieties through the introduction of beneficial alleles from teosinte, enhancing genetic diversity, and increasing resilience to environmental stresses (Liu et al., 2016). This study aims to synthesize current research on the comparative genomics of teosinte and maize and its agricultural implications. It seeks to elucidate the genetic differences and similarities between teosinte and maize by examining key genetic loci and their roles in plant morphology and domestication traits (Doebley and Stec, 1991). Additionally, the study highlights the advances in genomic technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, that facilitate the study of these genetic relationships (Hufford et al., 2012). Understanding these genetic underpinnings is vital for improving modern maize varieties through the introduction of beneficial alleles from teosinte, enhancing genetic diversity, and increasing resilience to environmental stresses (Liu et al., 2016). By leveraging the genetic resources of teosinte, researchers aim to develop maize varieties that are more robust, high-yielding, and capable of thriving in diverse environments (Li et al., 2021).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNQ==