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What is crop heterosis: new insights into an old topic

  • Plant Genetics • Review
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Abstract

Heterosis (or hybrid vigor) refers to a natural phenomenon whereby hybrid offspring of genetically diverse individuals out-perform their parents in multiple traits including yield, adaptability and resistances to biotic and abiotic stressors. Innovations in technology and research continue to clarify the mechanisms underlying crop heterosis, however the intrinsic relationship between the biological basis of heterosis remain unclear. In this review, we aim to provide insight into the molecular genetic basis of heterosis by presenting recent advances in the ‘omics’ of heterosis and the role of non-coding regions, particularly in relation to energy–use efficiency. We propose that future research should focus on integrating the expanding datasets from different species and hybrid combinations, to mine key heterotic genes and unravel interactive ‘omics’ networks associated with heterosis. Improved understanding of heterosis and the biological basis for its manipulation in agriculture should help to streamline its use in enhancing crop productivity.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported financially by Educational Commission of Jiangxi Province of China (code: GJJ13268) and Jiangxi Science and Technology Support Program (code: 20132BBF60013). A Hayward gratefully acknowledges support from a University of Queensland Early Career Researcher Award (2010002261) and the UQ New Staff Research Start-up Fund. Jiqiang Li gratefully acknowledges support from Youth Program of Gansu Science and Technology Fund in the eighth batch of science and technology plan, 2012 (code: 1208RJYG042).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology, Ecology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Education, Agronomy College, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China

    Donghui Fu, Guanjie Jiang, Longrong Zhu & Qinghong Zhou

  2. Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Rapeseed, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China

    Meili Xiao

  3. Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China

    Alice Hayward

  4. Zhangye Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhangye, 734000, Gansu Province, People’s Republic of China

    Jiqiang Li

  5. Sichuan Guohao Seed Industry Co., Ltd., Chengdou, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China

    Min Zhang

Authors
  1. Donghui Fu
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  2. Meili Xiao
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  3. Alice Hayward
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  4. Guanjie Jiang
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  5. Longrong Zhu
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  6. Qinghong Zhou
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  7. Jiqiang Li
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  8. Min Zhang
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Correspondence to Donghui Fu.

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Fu, D., Xiao, M., Hayward, A. et al. What is crop heterosis: new insights into an old topic. J Appl Genetics 56, 1–13 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-014-0231-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-014-0231-z

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