The study also illuminates evolutionary changes in maize, showing how regulatory sequence changes have allowed corn to adapt to diverse climates as growers selected high-performing plants.

Despite advancements in sequencing corn's genome over the past 15 years, previous molecular differences often failed to explain significant agricultural traits that impact farmers.

The research aids in predicting the effects of genetic changes, allowing scientists to determine whether modifications will have additive or synergistic effects on crop performance.

This research underscores the importance of cellular context in gene utilization, revealing that different cell types can express the same genes in varying ways.

Marand likens the research to understanding a car's components; knowing the parts alone isn't enough without comprehending how they interact and function together.

Collaboration with researchers from the University of Georgia and the University of Munich, supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, was crucial to this study.

Published in the journal Science, these findings connect genetic and phenotypic variations, enabling better optimization of corn traits for improved performance in diverse environments.

Recent research from the University of Michigan has unveiled crucial insights into corn genetics that could significantly enhance crop productivity and resilience in the face of climate change.

Led by Alexandre Marand, the study analyzed DNA from nearly 200 maize lines, linking gene activity in various cell types to visible traits such as ear size and quantity.

The findings indicate that most phenotypic variation in maize arises from changes in gene regulation—how, when, and where genes are expressed—rather than from direct genetic differences.

Overall, this research represents a significant advancement in understanding plant genetics, particularly in how gene regulation impacts crop adaptability and productivity.