Epigenetic approaches to crop breeding: current status and perspectives. (21st May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dalakouras, Athanasios; Vlachostergios, Dimitrios
• Editors: Manavella, Pablo
• Is Part Of: Journal of experimental botany. Volume 72:Number 15(2021)
• Page Start: 5356
• Page End: 5371
• Publication Date: 2021-05-21
• Subjects: Breeding -- DNA methylation -- epigenetics -- histone modifications -- RNAi -- small RNAs; Botany -- Periodicals; Botany, Experimental -- Periodicals; Plant physiology -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab227
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0957

Abstract

Abstract: In order to tackle the cumulative adverse effects of global climate change, reduced farmland, and heightened needs of an ever-increasing world population, modern agriculture is in urgent search of solutions that can ensure world food security and sustainable development. Classical crop breeding is still a powerful method to obtain crops with valued agronomical traits, but its potential is gradually being compromised by the menacing decline of genetic variation. Resorting to the epigenome as a source of variation could serve as a promising alternative. Here, we discuss current status of epigenetics-mediated crop breeding (epibreeding), highlight its advances and limitations, outline currently available methodologies, and propose novel RNA-based strategies to modify the epigenome in a gene-specific and transgene-free manner. Abstract : Modifying the epigenome could awaken a great source of variation that could be exploited in modern crop breeding programs.