Maize Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 229-238 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 235 8.2 Development of next-generation editors with expanded targeting scope The targets of traditional base editors are still limited, but this problem is being broken. New editors like ZmAYBEv3 have been able to efficiently convert A to T and A to C in corn and other monocotyledonous plants, which was not easy to achieve in the past. These new editors have broadened the area that can be edited, and naturally, more variations related to traits can be introduced (Zhong et al., 2023). Of course, there are still some challenges at present, such as how to reduce chimeras and improve editing efficiency, etc. However, as long as the technology continues to improve, the editor's capabilities will become increasingly powerful, and it may even be possible to introduce multiple resistance sites at once in one generation of plants. This is particularly useful for the improvement of complex traits. 8.3 Potential role in sustainable maize production and reduced herbicide usage Base editing also has considerable potential in sustainable agriculture. What it can achieve is to precisely endow corn with herbicide resistance or stress tolerance, rather than relying solely on chemical input. The idea of using less pesticides and relying more on one's own genetic resistance has actually been accepted by an increasing number of researchers (Jiang et al., 2024). More importantly, plants obtained through base editing are not necessarily classified as genetically modified, which has obvious advantages in terms of regulatory approval and public acceptance. In the future, this technology will not only be used to resist herbicides, but also has the potential to increase overall production, reduce environmental pressure, and even provide a more powerful guarantee for food security. 9 Conclusion Base editing technology has indeed opened up a new direction for corn breeding, especially in terms of herbicide resistance. In the past, making corn resistant to drugs might require a long period of repeated trials and selection. However, now, by introducing point mutations, some key genes, such as ALS, can be precisely modified. These modifications typically employ a combination of CRISPR/Cas9 and cytidine deaminase, which is not only highly efficient but also capable of generating homozygous plants without exogenous genes. One obvious benefit is that the tolerance of these corn varieties to herbicides has been greatly enhanced. Even if the dosage far exceeds the original limit, there is no problem, and the growth of the plants and other agronomic traits are basically not affected. In fact, sequencing work on strains like B73 and Palomero has been carried out long ago, which also laid the foundation for the development of base editors. Nowadays, some new editing tools that can achieve A-to-T or A-to-C substitution have further expanded the possible space for improving the traits of corn. Of course, the changes brought by this technology are not limited to these. It has also saved the breeding process many detours. The previous approach of relying on random mutagenesis and long-term backcrossing might be much slower. Nowadays, breeders can incorporate useful traits more quickly and accurately. Moreover, since the generated varieties are not genetically modified, this is beneficial for passing regulatory reviews and gaining public support. However, to be fair, base editing is not omnipotent. During the application process, off-target effects, biosafety issues, and even the possible evolution of drug resistance by the weeds themselves are all factors that need to be taken into consideration. Even the most advanced tools may lead to undesirable consequences if they are not combined with ecological management, technical prudence and transparent communication. So, how to use it, when to use it and to what extent to use it all need to be carefully considered. Acknowledgments We thank the anonymous reviewers and the editor for their meticulous review of the manuscript, whose constructive comments and valuable suggestions improved the structure of the argument. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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