Decades' progress and prospects on maize functional genomics and molecular breeding

Maize (Zea mays L.) is not only an important cereal crop, but also a model plant species for genetic, cytologic, genomic, and molecular studies. Maize possesses tremendous phenotypic and genetic diversity. During the past few decades, researchers have made significant advances in multiple areas, including the genomic compositions and variations of maize and its ancestors, the genetic and genomic bases of maize domestication and evolution, the genetic architecture of various agronomic traits (yield, quality, biotic and abiotic stress responses, nutrient use efficiency, fertility and heterosis), and the development of novel molecular breeding technologies. In this review, we summarize these research achievements and provide a perspective for future maize research and breeding.