Lan Zhou¹ , Yan Bao¹ , Jiaen Wang² , Shuling Wang¹ , Weixin Zhong¹ , Xiangrui Sun¹

1 College of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin, 132101, Jilin, China
2 Meihekou City Farmers' Science and Technology Education Center, Meihekou City, 135000, Jilin, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Plant Breeding, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 5   doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0022
Received: 09 Aug., 2024    Accepted: 12 Sep., 2024    Published: 21 Sep., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Zhou L., Bao Y., Wang J.E., Wang S.L., Zhong W.X., and Sun X.R., 2024, Nucleotide polymorphism in Zea: patterns and influences on crop traits, Molecular Plant Breeding, 15(5): 220-232 (doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0022)

Nucleotide polymorphisms, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), play a crucial role in the genetic diversity and trait development of maize (Zea mays). This study synthesizes current research on the patterns of nucleotide polymorphism in maize and its wild relatives, and their influence on crop traits. Studies have shown that maize exhibits a high level of nucleotide diversity, with significant variations between landraces and inbred lines. Population structure and genetic subdivision significantly affect the observed patterns of nucleotide polymorphism, which is crucial for understanding the genetic basis of important agronomic traits. Advances in sequencing technology have facilitated the discovery and application of SNPs in crop genetics, enabling more precise association analyses and marker-assisted breeding. Specific polymorphisms have been linked to key traits such as root development and adaptation to environmental conditions, highlighting their potential for crop improvement. This study underscores the importance of integrating genetic diversity studies with modern genomic tools to enhance our understanding of trait development and improve maize breeding strategies.

Nucleotide polymorphism; Zea mays; Genetic diversity; SNPs; Crop traits