Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 24-34 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 25 Mechanization-friendly traits are particularly significant in large-scale farming operations where manual labor is impractical and costly. They also contribute to uniformity in crop management and can enhance the resilience of maize plants to environmental stresses. 2.2 Key traits associated with mechanical adaptation Several key traits are associated with mechanical adaptation in maize, including plant height, ear height, and ear architecture. Plant height is a critical trait that influences lodging resistance and planting density. Lower plant height is generally preferred for mechanized farming as it reduces the risk of lodging and allows for higher planting densities, which can lead to increased yields (Yang et al., 2014). Ear height, the position of the ear on the plant, is another important trait. Lower ear height is advantageous for mechanical harvesting as it reduces the likelihood of ear loss and ensures more efficient harvesting (Zhou et al., 2016; Longmei et al., 2021; Yin et al., 2022). The structure and orientation of the ear can affect how easily it can be harvested by machines. Traits such as ear angle and husk cover are important for ensuring that ears are easily accessible and can be cleanly removed by harvesting equipment (Wallace et al., 2016; Ledesma et al., 2023). 2.3 Impact of these traits on agricultural practices and yield The mechanization-friendly traits of plant height, ear height, and ear architecture have significant impacts on agricultural practices and yield. Lower plant height and ear height contribute to better lodging resistance, which is crucial for maintaining plant stability and reducing crop losses due to plants falling over (Zhou et al., 2016). Traits that allow for higher planting densities can lead to increased yields per unit area. This is particularly important in mechanized farming systems where maximizing land use efficiency is a key goal (Yang et al., 2014; Yin et al., 2022). Optimized ear height and architecture facilitate more efficient mechanical harvesting, reducing the time and labor required for this process. This can lead to cost savings and higher overall productivity (Wallace et al., 2016; Longmei et al., 2021). Mechanization-friendly traits contribute to uniformity in crop management practices, making it easier to apply inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides uniformly across the field, which can enhance crop health and yield (Karnatam et al., 2023; Ledesma et al., 2023). 3 Genetic Basis of Mechanization-Friendly Traits 3.1 Identification of candidate genes linked to mechanization-friendly traits The identification of candidate genes linked to mechanization-friendly traits in maize has been significantly advanced through various mapping techniques. For instance, in silico mapping has proven effective in detecting associations that are repeatable across different populations, identifying significant marker loci for traits such as plant height and grain moisture (Parisseaux and Bernardo, 2004). Additionally, the use of ultra-high density linkage maps and genome-wide composite interval mapping (GCIM) has led to the identification of stable QTLs and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with yield-related traits, including grain weight (Zhao and Su, 2019). Furthermore, combined linkage and association mapping have revealed numerous candidate genes regulating kernel size traits, which are directly correlated with grain yield (Liu et al., 2019). 3.2 Role of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in trait expression Quantitative trait loci (QTL) play a crucial role in the expression of mechanization-friendly traits in maize. QTL mapping has identified multiple loci associated with key traits such as grain yield, plant height, and ear height. For example, a study using a population of 400 F2:3 lines identified 13 distinct QTLs for grain yield, plant height, and ear height, explaining a significant portion of the phenotypic variance (Sibov et al., 2004). Another study combining QTL mapping and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified 100 QTLs and 138 SNPs controlling yield-related traits, with several QTLs showing pleiotropic effects across different environments (Zhang et al., 2020). These findings underscore the importance of QTLs in understanding the genetic architecture of mechanization-friendly traits and their potential for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. 3.3 Genetic diversity and its importance in trait enhancement Genetic diversity is paramount for the enhancement of mechanization-friendly traits in maize. The use of diverse genetic populations in QTL mapping studies has revealed a wide range of loci associated with important agronomic traits. For instance, a study on tropical maize identified QTLs for grain yield, plant height, and ear
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