Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 120-129 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/tgg 126 6.3 Genetic and epigenetic interactions Ideally, when multiple resistance genes work together, the effect should be better. But in reality, sometimes there is a situation where "you suppress me and I interfere with you" instead. Cross-inhibition may occur among genes, which ultimately leads not to a stronger effect but to a weakened overall effect. Epigenetic interventions cannot be ignored either-invisible changes such as DNA methylation and histone modification can secretly alter gene expression, resulting in fluctuations in resistance (Ramirez-Gonzalez et al., 2018). What makes it more complicated is that wheat itself is a polyploid crop. When multiple homologous genes are copied together, it is very easy for them to "compete with each other". This uncertainty forces breeders to be more cautious when pairing genomes. Which genes to select, how to combine them, and what the performance will be after the combination all need to be verified one by one. Decisions cannot be made based on experience and intuition. Otherwise, no matter how much is piled up, it may still backfire. 7 Future Perspectives and Innovations in Wheat Gene Stacking 7.1 Integration of synthetic biology tools If traditional genetically modified organisms are regarded as "transporters", then synthetic biology is more like "designers". It doesn't merely allow us to piece together several genes, but enables us to design a modular resistance system from scratch. The emergence of such tools has made the originally complex superimposition of wheat genes more possible. Especially after the improvement of cloning efficiency and the ease of obtaining high-quality genomic data of wheat, it is no longer difficult to screen resistance genes from wild and local varieties, or even to construct new metabolic pathways. In the past, due to the limitations of natural resistance, now some "unconventional" paths can be conceived. Even if it is not the inherent mechanism of wheat, it may be introduced through synthetic means. Coupled with the increasing strength of computing tools and databases, the speed of screening and functional verification of candidate genes has also kept pace (Li et al., 2021; Chen et al., 2024). 7.2 Precision breeding with gene editing technologies The CRISPR/Cas gene editing technology is no longer "aloof". In precise wheat breeding, it is increasingly becoming a "standard configuration" in the laboratory. Unlike traditional genetically modified organisms that require a large building block, current editing tools allow for direct modifications at designated positions, such as deletion, alteration, replacement, and addition. You can operate however you like (Ma et al., 2024). More importantly, this type of editing method can be combined with breeding strategies such as marker-assisted selection and genomic selection. The efficiency is not only slightly improved, but multiple target traits-such as disease resistance, high yield, and quality improvement-can be advanced simultaneously (Wang et al., 2019). Of course, the continuous improvement and annotation update of the wheat reference genome are also indispensable behind this. As these foundations become increasingly solid, it is no longer an unattainable goal to build "green super wheat" that can adapt to various pressures. 7.3 Toward climate-resilient wheat varieties What should wheat look like in the future? The answer may not merely be about having stronger disease resistance, but also being able to withstand extreme environments such as drought, high temperatures, and salinity. Under climate change, the traditional concept of "stable high yield" needs to be redefined, and the gene superposition approach in this context must also shift towards a "stress resistance + adaptation" type. Integrating genes with multiple traits such as drought resistance, heat resistance and salt resistance into one variety is not merely a technical show-off, but the foundation for maintaining global food security. To achieve this goal, relying solely on genetic technology is not enough; it also requires the coordinated advancement of multiple approaches such as phenotypic analysis, rapid breeding, and digital gene banks (Rasheed et al., 2018). The use of the pan-genome will also play a role. It provides a broader genetic background and sources of variation, offering more "tabs" for combinations. In conclusion, the wheat of the future must be capable of "adapting to the climate on its own"; otherwise, even the highest yield potential may be wasted in extreme weather (Hussain et al., 2022).
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