Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 146-155 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 153 highlights the potential benefits of leveraging global genetic diversity for breeding purposes (Smelser et al., 2016). By fostering a collaborative environment, researchers and breeders can collectively address the challenges posed by diseases and enhance the resilience of maize crops worldwide. 8 Concluding Remarks The integration of doubled haploid (DH) breeding and germplasm innovation plays a pivotal role in advancing disease-resistant maize breeding. DH technology, which allows for the rapid development of homozygous inbred lines, has become a cornerstone in modern maize breeding programs due to its efficiency and effectiveness in fixing desirable traits. The use of DH lines offers significant economic, logistic, and genetic benefits over conventional inbred lines, facilitating the accelerated development of disease-resistant cultivars. Moreover, the development of haploid inducers with high haploid induction rates and the integration of new marker systems have further enhanced the accessibility and efficiency of DH technology in diverse germplasm, including tropical and landrace materials. Germplasm innovation, particularly through the utilization of diverse genetic resources and advanced genomic tools, has been instrumental in enhancing the genetic gains in maize breeding programs. The integration of genomics-assisted breeding, high-throughput phenotyping, and precise breeding data management has enabled the development of elite maize cultivars with improved resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. These advancements have been crucial in addressing the challenges posed by climate-induced stresses and ensuring the sustainability of maize production in stress-prone environments. To further enhance maize yield and disease resistance, it is imperative to adopt a multi-technology integration approach in disease-resistant breeding. Combining DH technology with genome editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9, as demonstrated by the Haploid-Inducer Mediated Genome Editing (IMGE) approach, can significantly accelerate the development of pure elite lines with integrated favorable traits. Additionally, leveraging the natural fertility of haploids and optimizing chromosome doubling protocols can reduce production costs and make DH technology more accessible to small and medium-scale breeding programs, particularly in developing countries. The potential of integrating DH breeding and germplasm innovation extends beyond improving maize disease resistance. This approach holds promise for enhancing global food security by increasing maize yields and ensuring the availability of resilient cultivars capable of withstanding diverse environmental stresses. By promoting sustainable agriculture practices and fostering public-private partnerships, the widespread adoption of these advanced breeding technologies can contribute to the development of robust agricultural systems that support the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide. Acknowledgments Thank you to the anonymous peer review for providing targeted revision suggestions for the manuscript. Funding This research was supported by Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences Science and Technology Innovation and Demonstration Promotion Fund Project (2022HNCT-08). 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. References Akohoue F., and Miedaner T., 2022, Meta-analysis and co-expression analysis revealed stable QTL and candidate genes conferring resistances to Fusarium and Gibberella ear rots while reducing mycotoxin contamination in maize, Frontiers in Plant Science, 13: 1050891. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1050891 Akohoue F., Koch S., Lieberherr B., Kessel B., Presterl T., and Miedaner T., 2023, Effectiveness of introgression of resistance loci for Gibberella ear rot from two European flint landraces into adapted elite maize (Zeamays L.), PLOS One, 18(9): e0292095. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292095
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