National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement

The National Mega-Science Project on Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement addresses three overarching scientific questions in agronomy and biology: the theoretical foundations and technological innovation for crop gene resources and the discovery of novel genes; the molecular bases and functional pathways underlying the formation of important agronomic traits; and the theoretical basis and technical system for molecular design breeding of crop varieties. Focusing on major crops—rice, wheat, maize,  and soybean—the project prioritizes the identification of genetic resources, discovery of new genes for key traits, functional genomics, innovation of germplasm and parental lines, and molecular breeding. Leveraging China’s strengths in crop germplasm resources and drawing on multidisciplinary theories and methods from crop genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics, it aims to elucidate the gene networks and metabolic pathways that determine major traits; build large-scale systems for novel gene discovery, germplasm innovation, and breeding technologies; and ultimately discover and clone key trait genes, create new germplasm and breeding materials, and cultivate breakthrough varieties that are ultra-high-yielding, high-quality, stress-resilient, and resource-efficient.