Epigenetics for crop improvement in times of global change

Kakoulidou, I. et al. (2021) Epigenetics for crop improvement in times of global change. Biology, 10(8), 766. (doi: 10.3390/biology10080766)

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Abstract

Epigenetics has emerged as an important research field for crop improvement under the on-going climatic changes. Heritable epigenetic changes can arise independently of DNA sequence alterations and have been associated with altered gene expression and transmitted phenotypic variation. By modulating plant development and physiological responses to environmental conditions, epigenetic diversity—naturally, genetically, chemically, or environmentally induced—can help optimise crop traits in an era challenged by global climate change. Beyond DNA sequence variation, the epigenetic modifications may contribute to breeding by providing useful markers and allowing the use of epigenome diversity to predict plant performance and increase final crop production. Given the difficulties in transferring the knowledge of the epigenetic mechanisms from model plants to crops, various strategies have emerged. Among those strategies are modelling frameworks dedicated to predicting epigenetically controlled-adaptive traits, the use of epigenetics for in vitro regeneration to accelerate crop breeding, and changes of specific epigenetic marks that modulate gene expression of traits of interest. The key challenge that agriculture faces in the 21st century is to increase crop production by speeding up the breeding of resilient crop species. Therefore, epigenetics provides fundamental molecular information with potential direct applications in crop enhancement, tolerance, and adaptation within the context of climate change.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This research was supported by COST action (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) EPIgenetic mechanisms of Crop Adaptation To Climate cHange (EPICATCH)—grant number CA19125.
Keywords:Breeding, climate change, DNA methylation, epigenomics, memory, plant epigenetics, prediction models, priming.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kaiserli, Dr Eirini
Creator Roles:
Kaiserli, E.Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing
Authors: Kakoulidou, I., Avramidou, E. V., Baránek, M., Brunel-Muguet, S., Farrona, S., Johannes, F., Kaiserli, E., Lieberman-Lazarovich, M., Martinelli, F., Mladenov, V., Testillano, P. S., Vassileva, V., and Maury, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Journal Name:Biology
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:2079-7737
ISSN (Online):2079-7737
Published Online:11 August 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Biology 10(8): 766
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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