Intense breeding has eroded genetic diversity
https://www.cell.com/trends/plant-science/abstract/S1360-1385(17)30089-4Chromatin marks and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms are essential to the control of plant developmental processes and in shaping plant phenotypic plasticity, including adaptive responses to environmental stresses.
Stability and heritability features of epigenetic marks and knowledge of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms are crucial for breeding applications.
Modeling epigenetic variations requires understanding epigenetic regulatory mechanisms to further predict their impact on plant performances.
Crop modelers are urged to take epigenetic variations into account to assist breeding strategies.
Epigenetic variations are involved in the control of plant developmental processes and participate in shaping phenotypic plasticity to the environment. Intense breeding has eroded genetic diversity, and epigenetic diversity now emerge as a new source of phenotypic variations to improve adaptation to changing environments and ensure the yield and quality of crops. Here, we review how the characterization of the stability and heritability of epigenetic variations is required to drive breeding strategies, which can be assisted by process-based models. We propose future directions to hasten the elucidation of complex epigenetic regulatory networks that should help crop modelers to take epigenetic modifications into account and assist breeding strategies for specific agronomical traits."
My comment: Breeding means epigenetic intensification or debilitation of desired traits. Shifting with epigenetic information profiles, in an artificial or adaptational way, results in erosion of genetic information layers. Any change in organisms occurs due to epigenetic regulation of existing biological information OR gradual but inevitable corruption of information. That's why there's no mechanism for evolution. Don't get lost.
