Breeding ideotype maize with enhanced yield through genomics-guided pyramiding of favorable alleles

Researchers identified the role of homozygous favorable alleles in genes controlling four major shoot architecture traits and functionally validated eight architecture-regulating genes. The elite hybrid Yufeng303 was used as the breeding chassis.

By pyramiding favorable alleles, the team developed improved parental lines and produced four new hybrids. Across eight environments, plot yields were reported to be 4.1–9.2% higher than Yufeng303, supporting genomics-guided ideotype breeding for intensive maize systems.