Advances in the Application of Plant Chromosome Rearrangement in Crop Genetic Improvement

Abstract

Chromosome rearrangement is a mechanism that can lead to the loss, duplication, translocation and inversion of DNA segments, thereby altering the genomic structure and providing possibilities for creating new variable traits. Accurate identification of plant chromosome rearrangement events contributes to a deeper understanding of the structure and function of the plant genomes as well as their roles in plant evolution and crop breeding. This review delves into the fundamental concepts of plant chromosome rearrangement, presenting both naturally occurring and artificially induced techniques. It elucidates the cytological, molecular genetic and high-throughput sequencing identification methods for plant chromosome rearrangement. We systematically summarize the application of plant chromosome rearrangement techniques in crop genetic breeding, emphasizing the superiority and practical implementation of chromosome rearrangement in increasing genetic diversity, improving essential traits and enhancing environmental adaptability of crops. However, the occurrence probability of chromosome rearrangement is relatively low currently, posing technical challenges that necessitate more precise tools and strategies for the accurate positioning and rearrangement of chromosomal fragments. By comprehensively understanding chromosome rearrangement and its related technologies, researchers and breeders can better leverage the plant genome, providing innovative solutions for global food security and sustainable environmental development. These researches not only open new approach for a deeper understanding of the plant genome but also lay a solid foundation for future innovations in crop breeding. Through tapping into the diversity and plasticity of the plant genome, chromosome rearrangement technology holds the potential to offer more possibilities for cultivating high-yielding, superior-quality and resistant crop varieties, addressing the increasingly critical issues of global food security and climate adaptability.

Keywords

• chromosome rearrangement
• crop
• breeding
• gene editing
• genetic diversity
• genetic improvement