Crop adaptation to climate change is in a part attributed to epigenetic mechanisms which are related to response to abiotic and biotic stresses. Although recent studies increased our knowledge on the nature of these mechanisms, epigenetics remains under-investigated and still poorly understood in many, especially non-model, plants, Epigenetic modifications are traditionally divided into two main groups, DNA methylation and histone modifications that lead to chromatin remodeling and the regulation of genome functioning. In this review, we outline the most recent and interesting findings on crop epigenetic responses to the environmental cues that are most relevant to climate change. In addition, we discuss a speculative point of view, in which we try to decipher the “epigenetic alphabet” that underlies crop adaptation mechanisms to climate change. The understanding of these mechanisms will pave the way to new strategies to design and implement the next generation of cultivars with a broad range of tolerance/resistance to stresses as well as balanced agronomic traits, with a limited loss of (epi)genetic variability.

Graphical techniques have become important tools to show results of maize (Zea mays L.) breeding experiments in current literature. The present study compared different graphical techniques to determine the best parental lines and cross combinations for yield and kernel quality traits in maize breeding experiments. We measured single plant yield, protein content, oil content, carotenoid content, oleic acid, and linoleic acid in a 5 × 2 line × tester design. Genotype + genotype × environment (GE) biplot, principal component analysis (PCA) biplot, and polar plot were used to analyze data and compare them with conventional line × tester analysis. In the conventional analysis, parents with high means and positive general combining ability (GCA) values were A680 and HYA for single plant yield, IHP for protein content, IHO and HYA for oil content, A680 and Q2 for carotenoid content, IHP for oleic acid content, and A680 for linoleic acid content. The B73 tester exhibited positive GCA values for most investigated traits. The HYA × B73 combination was the best cross in terms of single plant yield, protein, and oil contents. Results showed that biplot methods had both advantages and disadvantages. The PCA biplots can be used alone while the GGE biplot and polar plots are both useful for combining ability, heterosis, and gene action analysis in a line × tester design. Overall, graphical analysis results were very similar to conventional analysis. Consequently, it was assumed that the graphical methods used could be useful to analyze/present data from maize breeding experiments carried out with a line × tester design.

Given limited global food supplies and the fact that the global population is expected to double by 2050, there is an urgent need for the development of high‐calorie foods, including culinary oils. The seeds of oil crops contain high‐energy density oil composed of triacylglycerides (TAGs) at up to 80% by dry mass. However, maize (Zea mays L.) seeds are relatively poor in calorie and nutritional values. Therefore, in this report, we address this constraint via metabolic engineering to improve maize seed lipids including TAG and seed TAG nutritional values by overexpression of three major genes, including: (i) the Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (AtDGAT1), a gene that catalyzes the TAG biosynthesis final step prior to packaging of TAGs into oil bodies; (ii) the transcription factor WRINKLED 1 (WRI1), which promotes the regulation of the expression of genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis; and (i) the A. thaliana oleosin (AtOleosin) gene, a gene coding for a protein that protects TAGs from degradation. The overexpression of the above three genes, and probably certain unintentional in vitro culture genetic variabilities, resulted in 117% increase of seed TAGs and 25% increase in total oil contents when compared with the wild‐type control corn seeds. In addition, the above genetic modifications led to major shifts in the fatty acid profiles in favor of human health.

Cereals are important for feed of human and animals because of they are valuable. Crop or cereal agriculture and importance of it has been improving worldwide. At the same time crops have taken place in biotechnology. In the world maize has been cultivated much after wheat, rice and barley. Biotechnological methods have reduced the time and cost for improve of plants. On the other hand it has increased the strength of programmes of improvement. In this study for cereal improvement; such as maize, wheat and rice; that we searched same biotechnological methods and some molecular approaches for cereals which have been used so far. 

In the last few years, the analysis of fatty acids has gained importance because of their nutritional and health implications. This increased attention led to a half dialell crossing design study during 2006 and 2007 seasons in Edirne -Turkey conditions. In this study, 28 F1 maize hybrids were obtained by 8x8 half diallel crossing. In half -diallel maize population, inheritance of linoleic acid content in grains and combining ability were investigated. Mean squares of inbred lines and hybrids were highly significant for all studies traits, indicating the genetic variance among lines. This study examined inheritance of linoleic acid which is an important unsaturated fatty acid for potential health benefits. Therefore, linoleic acid content and inheritance in maize oil was investigated in this research. The linoleic acid content in grain was under the dominance gene effect. Also linoleic acid content was affected by additive gene effects.

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