Unlocking the Secret to Higher Crop Yield: The Potential for Histone Modifications

Abstract

Histone modifications are epigenetic mechanisms, termed relative to genetics, and they refer to the induction of heritable changes without altering the DNA sequence. It is widely known that DNA sequences precisely modulate plant phenotypes to adapt them to the changing environment; however, epigenetic mechanisms also greatly contribute to plant growth and development by altering chromatin status. An increasing number of recent studies have elucidated epigenetic regulations on improving plant growth and adaptation, thus making contributions to the final yield. In this review, we summarize the recent advances of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying crop flowering efficiency, fruit quality, and adaptation to environmental stimuli, especially to abiotic stress, to ensure crop improvement. In particular, we highlight the major discoveries in rice and tomato, which are two of the most globally consumed crops. We also describe and discuss the applications of epigenetic approaches in crop breeding programs.

Regulation of Plant Translation under Abiotic Stress. A Molecular Orchestration

“…The modulation of chromatin in response to biotic and abiotic stress is excellently considered. The review papers provide detailed information on the involvement of histone methylation and demethylation processes [1] and DNA [2].…”

Editorial: CRISPR tools, technology development, and application

“…The authors have well described the applications of gene editing for the improvement of consumer-demanded traits such as higher nutritional value, colour, texture, aroma/flavour, and production of industrial products such as biofuel, fibre, rubber and pharmaceuticals. Epigenetic alterations can result in the creation of new epialleles which may have relevance for the improvement of agronomic traits like yield, nutritional quality, and stress tolerance (Fang et al, 2023). For example, the histone variant Sl_H2A.Z has a functional role in the development and ripening of tomato fruits (Yang et al, 2021), and histone modifications regulate flowering efficiency and grain size that determine yield in rice (Shi et al, 2015).…”