Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 255-265 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/tgg 255 Research Insight Open Access Wheat Epigenetics and its Role in Crop Improvement Jin Zhou, Xuemei Liu Hainan Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding author: xuemei.liu@hibio.org Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/tgg.2024.15.0024 Received: 18 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 20 Sep., 2024 Published: 02 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhou and Liu, 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: Zhou J., and Liu X.M., 2024, Wheat epigenetics and its role in crop improvement, Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 15(5): 255-265 (doi: 10.5376/tgg.2024.15.0024) Abstract Epigenetics, as a mechanism for regulating gene expression, is showing immense potential in agriculture, particularly in the improvement of wheat traits. This study explores the application and potential of epigenetics in wheat crop improvement, reviewing recent progress in wheat epigenetics research. It provides an in-depth analysis of how epigenetic regulation influences wheat yield, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. Additionally, it summarizes how epigenetic variation can transmit traits through non-genetic inheritance and discusses the prospects of integrating modern breeding technologies such as gene editing. The study highlights the significant role of epigenetics in wheat crop improvement, suggesting that the future of wheat breeding will become more efficient and precise through the application of epigenetic markers, utilization of stable non-genetic variation, and epigenetic plasticity enhancement. The integration of epigenetic techniques with traditional breeding methods, especially with gene editing, is expected to drive the development of precision wheat breeding, addressing the challenges of global food production. Research in this field not only contributes to enhancing wheat stress resilience but also provides new strategies for breeding in the context of global climate change. Keywords Wheat; Epigenetics; DNA methylation; Crop improvement; Gene editing 1 Introduction Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important staple food crops globally, contributing significantly to the dietary calories and proteins consumed by humans. It plays a crucial role in global food security, providing about 20% of the total dietary calories and proteins worldwide. The crop's importance is underscored by its extensive cultivation, with modern wheat varieties being rapidly adopted across developing regions, accounting for roughly 53% of the total harvested area and 50% of the production (Shiferaw et al., 2013). Wheat's versatility and nutritional value, including its high content of dietary fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals, make it indispensable in both temperate zones and countries undergoing urbanization and industrialization (Shewry and Hey, 2015). Epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence, has emerged as a pivotal field in crop improvement. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA interference, play critical roles in regulating plant development, stress responses, and adaptation to environmental changes (Pang et al., 2020; Li et al., 2021). These mechanisms offer promising avenues for enhancing crop resilience, yield, and nutritional quality without the need for genetic modification, thus addressing some of the challenges posed by traditional breeding methods (Shrawat and Armstrong, 2018). In wheat, the application of epigenetics holds particular promise. The hexaploid nature of wheat, with its complex genome and gene redundancy, presents unique challenges for genetic research and precision breeding (Li et al., 2021). However, epigenetic modifications can potentially bypass these challenges by regulating gene expression in a more targeted and efficient manner. For instance, epigenetic modifications can enhance wheat's resistance to diseases and pests, improve its adaptation to climate change, and increase its nutritional value (Pang et al., 2020; Khalid et al., 2023). This study will explore the specific applications and potential of epigenetic mechanisms in wheat crop improvement, providing an in-depth analysis of the current status of wheat epigenetics research. It will highlight
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