Heterosis, or known as hybrid vigour, is the phenomenon whereby the progeny of different varieties of a species, or crosses between species, exhibit greater biomass, developmental rate, and fertility than their parents. Heterosis forms the basis of modern breeding. As the phenomenon of heterosis has become more widespread, it has been discovered and applied to the production of many crop varieties, such as maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa), and oilseed rape (Brassica napus). To further exploit the potential of heterosis through genomics-assisted breeding, understanding the mechanisms of heterosis, coupled with the discovery of the major genetic loci responsible for the expression of yield hybrids in major crops, will be of great interest. The molecular basis of heterosis has been explored from different perspectives over the decades and various models have been proposed to explain hybrid dominance, including dominance complementation and single locus overdominance.
Fig. 1. Heterosis advantage of maize hybrids and whole-genome variation of their parental lines. (Liu et al., 2020)
Our heterosis analysis solution
Based on plant whole genome sequencing, we offer a holistic approach to analyze the genetic basis of heterosis. Our services include extensive genetic analysis, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, and in-depth studies of the molecular mechanisms driving plant heterosis.
CD Genomics provides genetic mapping services to genetically analyze heterosis at the QTL level in several plants (e.g., Arabidopsis, rice, maize, sorghum, and tomato). By creating high-resolution genetic maps, we can help you identify and localize specific loci responsible for heterosis in crop species and estimate the impact of these loci. In addition, we provide high-throughput, high-density genotyping methods to explore the genetic basis of heterosis and germplasm diversity, and develop SNPs associated with heterosis, enriching for rare dominant alleles that can help breeders improve the hybrid agronomic performance of crop breeding populations.
Heterosis as a basis for modern breeding
Large-scale genetic and genomic analyses of plant hybrids can provide many important heterosis loci that are useful in hybrid breeding and future functional studies. Through large-scale genetic mapping and heterosis analysis of plant hybrid progeny, we aim to help our customers identify important loci contributing to heterosis in plant hybrids and provide a useful data resource for plant heterosis research. We help you:
Determine the level of heterosis for yield, quality, and disease resistance related trait components.
Identify, localize, and estimate the effect of QTL on crop yield composition.
Evaluate the contribution of different genetic effects, such as dominance, hyperdominance, and epistasis, to the expression of heterosis in crops.
Heterosis analysis service process
Fig. 2. CD Genomics' heterosis analysis service process.
Our strengths and features
Extensive experience. We have a team of experienced agro-geneticists. Our professionals are well-versed in quantitative trait locus mapping to analyze heterosis in various crop species.
State-of-the-art infrastructure. We have invested in state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology to ensure that our genetic analysis is carried out at the highest resolution. Our sophisticated genetic mapping and advanced marker systems allow precise and detailed study of heterosis.
Holistic analysis. We take a holistic approach to heterosis analysis, considering a range of genetic effects and epistatic interactions that help drive plant breeding.
CD Genomics is committed to providing genome-wide high-resolution heterosis locus identification and comprehensive evaluation of its genetic effects of heterosis. Our solutions provide highly useful germplasm for breeding high-yielding crops and insight into the molecular mechanisms of crop heterosis. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.
Reference
Liu, Hongjun, et al. "Genome-wide identification and analysis of heterotic loci in three maize hybrids." Plant Biotechnology Journal 18.1 (2020): 185-194.
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OUR MISSION
CD Genomics is propelling the future of agriculture by employing cutting-edge sequencing and genotyping technologies to predict and enhance multiple complex polygenic traits within breeding populations.
Fig. 1. Heterosis advantage of maize hybrids and whole-genome variation of their parental lines. (Liu et al., 2020)
Fig. 2. CD Genomics' heterosis analysis service process.
