Research Advances in Epigenetic Regulation of Horticultural Crops

doi:10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0485

Abstract

Abstract:

Epigenetic regulation refers to the heritable control of gene expression without alterations in the DNA sequence, achieved through mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification, RNA modification, chromatin remodeling and non-coding RNAs. Epigenetics provides an additional and flexible source of trait variation for horticultural crop improvement, opening innovative avenues for breeding new varieties capable of addressing challenges like climate change adaptation, disease and pest resistance, and quality enhancement. This review systematically synthesizes current research progress on the epigenetic regulation of key agronomic traits in horticultural crops and summarizes relevant breeding tools and methods developed for their use in horticultural crop breeding. It aims to provide a theoretical reference for further understanding the epigenetic basis of the formation of horticultural crop traits, and provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the promotion and application of epigenetic breeding in horticultural crops.

Key words: epigenetics, horticultural crops, breeding applications, non-coding RNA, stress regulation, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), CRISPR/dCas9

YU Zhongyu, YANG Yanfang, JIANG Jiafu, WANG Zhenxing, CHEN Fadi. Research Advances in Epigenetic Regulation of Horticultural Crops[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 2025, 41(21): 1-9.

Figures/Tables 1

References 66

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