Maize selection passes the century mark: a unique resource for 21st century genomics

Abstract

The Illinois Long-Term Selection Experiment for grain protein and oil concentration in maize (Zea mays) is the longest continuous genetics experiment in higher plants. A total of 103 cycles of selection have produced nine related populations that exhibit phenotypic extremes for grain composition and a host of correlated traits. The use of functional genomics tools in this unique genetic resource provides exciting opportunities not only to discover the genes that contribute to phenotypic differences but also to investigate issues such as the response of plant genomes to artificial selection, the genetic architecture of quantitative traits and the source of continued genetic variation within domesticated crop genomes.