Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 146-155 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 152 incorporation of disease resistance traits into elite maize lines. Additionally, the combination of conventional breeding methods with genetic manipulation techniques, such as the overexpression of modified CENH3, has shown potential to further enhance HIR, providing a robust tool for disease-resistant breeding (Meng et al., 2022). Figure 3 Schematic illustration of a rapid genomics-assisted breeding approach for using genetic resources in maize (Adopted from Miedaner et al., 2020) Image caption: D=donor of resistance, RP=recurrent parent, BC=backcross, MAS=marker assisted selection, DH=doubled haploid lines, GS=genomic selection, TC=testcross (Adopted from Miedaner et al., 2020) 7.2 Application of gene editing in disease-resistant breeding Gene editing technologies, particularly CRISPR/Cas9, offer unprecedented opportunities to enhance breeding efficiency for disease resistance traits in maize. The integration of CRISPR with DH technology, as demonstrated by the Haploid-Inducer Mediated Genome Editing (IMGE) approach, allows for the rapid generation of genome-edited haploids in elite maize backgrounds. This method can produce homozygous pure DH lines with desired trait improvements within two generations, bypassing the lengthy procedures of conventional breeding (Wang et al., 2019). Furthermore, the use of gene editing in conjunction with haploid induction systems has been shown to be effective across different genetic backgrounds, making it a versatile tool for disease-resistant breeding (Liu et al., 2019). The potential to precisely target and modify genes associated with disease resistance can lead to the development of maize varieties with enhanced resilience to various pathogens, thereby improving crop yields and food security. 7.3 Global collaboration and germplasm resource sharing Global collaboration and germplasm resource sharing are critical for advancing disease-resistant breeding in maize. The success of breeding programs often relies on the availability of diverse genetic resources and the exchange of knowledge and technologies across borders (Li and Huang 2024). Initiatives like the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have demonstrated the importance of multi-institutional efforts in developing and deploying stress-tolerant maize cultivars (Prasanna et al., 2021). Public-private partnerships and international collaborations can facilitate the sharing of germplasm, breeding techniques, and technological advancements, thereby accelerating the development of disease-resistant maize varieties (Andorf et al., 2019; Prasanna et al., 2021). Additionally, the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) program's utilization of DH technology to expedite the development and release of lines derived from exotic maize races
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==