By Andi Anderson
Developing high-yielding, nutritious, and climate-resilient crops is essential for sustaining global food production. Scientists at Iowa State University are collaborating with crop breeders to explore advanced methods that can speed up breeding programs and help agriculture meet future challenges.
According to Professor Jianming Yu, Pioneer Distinguished Chair in Maize Breeding and director of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding, “Genomic selection is an important part of the answer.” This cutting-edge technology is transforming crop and animal breeding by allowing researchers to predict plant performance more accurately using genetic and environmental data.
A recent paper titled “Genomic Selection: Essence, Applications and Prospects” published in The Plant Genome highlights how genomic selection (GS) is reshaping modern agriculture. The lead author, Dr. Diana Escamilla, a former Iowa State postdoctoral researcher now working in private industry, explains that GS helps identify high-performing plants faster by analyzing the relationship between genes and physical traits.
“It was exciting to help people understand genomic selection and why it matters,” Escamilla said. “This strategy helps breeders respond more quickly and effectively to farmers’ needs and a growing population.”
The review outlines how GS shortens breeding cycles, enhances genetic diversity studies, and enables selection of traits best suited for changing environmental conditions. Initially applied to corn, wheat, and soybeans, the approach now extends to other crops like legumes and vegetables. Researchers are also integrating artificial intelligence and decision-support tools to expand its reach and precision.
The paper’s importance was recognized in the November issue of the American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America newsletter, which credited Iowa State’s leadership in this field.
Yu, who authored early GS research papers in 2007 and 2016, emphasized training future scientists in plant breeding innovation. “I’m proud of students like Diana who carry forward Iowa State’s legacy as a global leader in plant breeding,” he said.
In spring 2026, Escamilla will return to Iowa State to lead a seminar on the future of genomic selection, continuing the university’s mission to strengthen global food security through science and innovation.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Education