Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2024, Vol. 59 ›› Issue (6): 978-998.DOI: 10.11983/CBB24080  cstr: 32102.14.CBB24080

Special Issue: 大食物观

• INVITED REVIEWS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Progress of Gene Editing Technology in Maize

Qiang Zhang, Zhenyu Zhao, Pinghua Li*()   

  1. Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
  • Received:2024-05-27 Accepted:2024-08-20 Online:2024-11-10 Published:2024-08-28
  • Contact: *E-mail: pinghuali@sdau.edu.cn
  • About author:

    †These authors contributed equally to this paper

Abstract: Gene editing technology has become an important tool in crop breeding. Maize, one of the globally most important food crops, has been shown with great potential in the use of gene editing technology in genome research and breeding. In this paper, we reviewed the recent progress and applications of gene editing technology in maize research, with a focus on the latest achievements in maize genome editing by CRISPR/Cas. Firstly, we introduced the basic principles and types of gene editing technology, particularly the working mechanism of the CRISPR/Cas systems, and its application advantages in maize. Secondly, we summarized the research progress of gene editing technology in maize breeding, from basic genome editing to the editing of complex multi-gene regulation, aiming at the improvement of key traits such as yield, grain quality, and stress resistance. Finally, the outstanding research work in maize gene editing in China is presented and the existing issues of gene editing technology in maize breeding are discussed, along with an outlook on future development trends.

Key words: maize, genome editing, CRISPR/Cas system, genetic improvement