Genetic resources and breeding of maize for Striga resistance: a review

Abstract

The potential yield of maize (Zea maysL.) and other major crops is curtailed by several biotic, abiotic, and socio-economic constraints. Parasitic weeds,Strigaspp., are major constraints to cereal and legume crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yield losses reaching 100% are reported in maize under severeStrigainfestation. Breeding forStrigaresistance has been shown to be the most economical, feasible, and sustainable approach for resource-poor farmers and for being environmentally friendly. Knowledge of the genetic and genomic resources and components ofStrigaresistance is vital to guide genetic analysis and precision breeding of maize varieties with desirable product profiles underStrigainfestation. This review aims to present the genetic and genomic resources, research progress, and opportunities in the genetic analysis ofStrigaresistance and yield components in maize for breeding. The paper outlines the vital genetic resources of maize forStrigaresistance, including landraces, wild relatives, mutants, and synthetic varieties, followed by breeding technologies and genomic resources. Integrating conventional breeding, mutation breeding, and genomic-assisted breeding [i.e., marker-assisted selection, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, next-generation sequencing, and genome editing] will enhance genetic gains inStrigaresistance breeding programs. This review may guide new variety designs forStriga-resistance and desirable product profiles in maize.