Maize Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 228-238 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 228 Systematic Review Open Access Genetic Diversity in the Genus Zea: Insights from Chloroplast Genome Variability BinChen1, Junfeng Hou1, Yunfei Cai 2, Guiyue Wang1, Renxiang Cai 3, Fucheng Zhao1 1 Institute of Maize and Featured Upland Crops, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dongyang, 322100, Zhengjiang, China 2 Seed Management Station of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhengjiang, China 3 Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang AandF University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhengjiang, China Corresponding author: ymszfc@163.com Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0022 Received: 22 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 03 Sep., 2024 Published: 23 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Chen et al., 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: Chen B., Hou J.F., Cai Y.F., Wang G.Y., Cai R.X., and Zhao F.C., 2024, Genetic diversity in the genus zea: insights from chloroplast genome variability, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 15(5): 228-238 (doi: 10.5376/mgg.2024.15.0022) Abstract The genus Zea, which includes maize and its wild relatives, exhibits significant genetic diversity, particularly within the chloroplast genome. This study investigates the variability in chloroplast genomes across different Zea species to understand their evolutionary relationships and potential for genetic improvement. By analyzing whole chloroplast genomes, researchers identified substantial nucleotide sequence variations and evolutionary rates among different Zea species. Our findings reveal that photosynthetic genes are under strong purifying selection, while other genes exhibit heterogeneous substitution rates, indicating diverse evolutionary pressures. This research highlights the importance of chloroplast genome diversity in the adaptation and evolution of Zea species, providing valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at enhancing stress tolerance and other agronomic traits. Keywords Genetic diversity; Chloroplast genome; Zeaspecies; Evolutionary rates; Plant breeding 1 Introduction The genus Zea, particularly Zea mays (maize), holds a pivotal role in global agriculture and nutrition. Maize is one of the world's most important cereal crops, extensively cultivated for its versatility in human food, animal feed, and industrial applications (Nuss and Tanumihardjo, 2010; Lee et al., 2019; Revilla et al., 2022). Originating from Central America, maize has adapted to diverse environments, resulting in a wide range of genetic resources with significant variability (Revilla et al., 2022). This adaptability has made maize a staple food for a substantial portion of the global population, particularly in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, where it is a primary source of nutrition (Nuss and Tanumihardjo, 2010). The genetic diversity within maize is not only crucial for its adaptability and yield improvement but also for its nutritional enhancement through biofortification strategies (Nuss and Tanumihardjo, 2010; Dong et al., 2023). The chloroplast genome plays a critical role in plant phylogeny and evolutionary studies. Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) is maternally inherited in most plant species and exhibits a relatively slow mutation rate compared to nuclear DNA, making it a valuable tool for studying evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity among plant species (Vivodík et al., 2017). In maize, the chloroplast genome has been utilized to explore genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships, providing insights into the evolutionary history and domestication of this important crop (Strable and Scanlon, 2009; Vivodík et al., 2017). The cpDNA markers are particularly useful in assessing genetic variation and identifying distinct genetic lineages within the genus Zea, which can inform breeding programs and conservation efforts (Vivodík et al., 2017). This research is to investigate the genetic diversity within the genus Zea by analyzing chloroplast genome variability. This study aims to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among different Zea species and subspecies, with a particular focus on Zea mays. By leveraging cpDNA markers, we seek to uncover the extent of genetic variation and identify distinct genetic lineages within the genus. This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolutionary history and domestication processes of maize, providing valuable information for breeding programs aimed at improving crop yield, adaptability, and nutritional quality. Additionally, the
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