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Title: New Horizons for Dissecting Epistasis in Crop Quantitative Trait Variation
Uncovering the genes, variants, and interactions underlying crop diversity is a frontier in plant genetics. Phenotypic variation often does not reflect the cumulative effect of individual gene mutations. This deviation is due to epistasis, in which interactions between alleles are often unpredictable and quantitative in effect. Recent advances in genomics and genome-editing technologies are elevating the study of epistasis in crops. Using the traits and developmental pathways that were major targets in domestication and breeding, we highlight how epistasis is central in guiding the behavior of the genetic variation that shapes quantitative trait variation. We outline new strategies that illuminate how quantitative epistasis from modified gene dosage defines background dependencies. Advancing our understanding of epistasis in crops can reveal new principles and approaches to engineering targeted improvements in agriculture.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1732253
NSF-PAR ID:
10243506
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Annual Review of Genetics
Volume:
54
Issue:
1
ISSN:
0066-4197
Page Range / eLocation ID:
287 to 307
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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