Maize Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 257-269 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 261 the expression patterns of specific genes, particularly those associated with stress resistance, yield, and other agronomic traits. Through clustering analysis, the research demonstrated the expression trends of genes across various breeding stages, which helps to identify key genetic diversity loci crucial for maize genetic improvement. The application of maize genomics offers new perspectives for further enhancing crop productivity and resistance, contributing to a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of complex traits. Figure 1 Gene Expression Patterns and Functional Enrichment Analysis in Modern Maize (Zeamays L.) Breeding (Adapted from Li et al., 2023) Image caption: a: Gene expression patterns across different breeding eras, grouped using k-means clustering. Each line represents the expression pattern of a gene, with blue lines indicating the core expression trend for each group. Era I, Era II, and Era III represent different historical stages of maize breeding. b: Overlapping expression of different gene groups in seedlings, leaves, and ears, showing the distribution of gene expression across different tissues. A Venn diagram is used to illustrate the overlap of genes between the tissues (Adapted from Li et al., 2023). 4.3 Addressing global challenges Maize genomic research addresses global challenges such as food security and climate change by developing crop varieties that are more resilient to abiotic and biotic stresses. By improving traits like drought tolerance, heat tolerance, and nitrogen-use efficiency, genomic research helps ensure stable maize production under changing environmental conditions (Nepolean et al., 2018; Benavente and Giménez, 2021; Cooper and Messina, 2022). These advancements contribute to increased yield and productivity, which are essential for meeting the growing global demand for food (Budhlakoti et al., 2022; Cooper and Messina, 2022). Moreover, the integration of genomic tools in breeding programs enables the rapid development of climate-resilient maize varieties, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture (Nepolean et al., 2018; Budhlakoti et al., 2022). Several case studies highlight the success of genomic solutions in addressing global challenges. For instance, the long-term improvement of temperate maize for the US corn belt has demonstrated the effectiveness of genomic selection in breeding drought-resistant varieties (Cooper and Messina, 2022). Another example is the discovery and validation of gene leads that enhance yield and drought tolerance in maize, which have been field-tested and shown to outperform existing varieties (Simmons et al., 2021). Additionally, the use of genome-wide association studies to identify SNPs associated with drought tolerance and other agronomic traits has provided valuable genetic markers for breeding programs aimed at improving maize resilience to environmental stresses (Farfan et al., 2015; Shikha et al., 2017). 4.4 Genomics in stress resistance Genomic research has significantly contributed to the development of stress-resistant maize varieties by identifying key genes and regulatory networks involved in stress responses. Techniques such as QTL mapping, GWAS, and genomic selection have been pivotal in understanding the genetic basis of stress tolerance. These methods have enabled the identification of genetic variations linked to traits such as drought and heat tolerance,
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