Genetic basis of flavor complexity in sweet corn

Sweet corn is an important vegetable crop consumed globally. However, the genetic differentiation between field corn and sweet corn, and the impact of breeding on the metabolite composition and flavor (other than sweetness) of sweet corn, remain poorly understood. Here we assembled a cultivated sweet-corn genome de novo and re-sequenced 295 diverse sweet-corn inbred lines. We examined the genetic architecture of sweet-corn kernel quality by combining genetic, metabolite and expression profiling methodologies. New genes (for example, ZmAPS1, ZmSK1 and ZmCRR5) and metabolites associated with flavor and consumer preference were identified, highlighting important target flavor metabolites, including sugars, acids and volatiles. These findings provide valuable knowledge and targets for future genetic breeding of sweet-corn flavor, and to balance grain yield and quality and contribute to our broader understanding of crop diversification.