Gene chips accelerator of seed breeding

Seeds are the "chips" of modern agriculture and the cornerstone of national food security, a timely recognition given that the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period is crucial for China to accelerate agricultural and rural modernization and build up strength in agriculture.

Amid intensifying global competition in the seed industry, China's pursuit of high-quality agricultural development has created an urgent demand for highyield, high-quality and multi-stress resistant crop varieties. Gene chips, a key driver of precision breeding, are propelling China's seed industry from independent development toward leading innovation and are crucial in securing food supply.

Technological innovation is the lifeblood of high-quality development in the seed industry. During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, China prioritized the invigoration of the seed industry. Over 95 percent of crop varieties in China are independently developed, while domestically bred stock accounts for 80 percent of the livestock and poultry market and 86 percent of the aquaculture market. Since 2024, the country has maintained a trade surplus in seeds for two consecutive years, laying a solid foundation for continued growth.

However, conventional breeding depends heavily on breeders' experience and selection based on field performance. The selection of seed varieties is prone to lengthy breeding cycles and inefficiencies. Fortunately, the application of gene chips is helping break through this bottleneck.

Acting as a "gene radar", gene chips use high-throughput molecular screening to precisely locate target genes using known DNA fragments, thus enabling accurate genotyping. Unlike other methods that are akin to "finding a needle in a haystack", gene chips can rapidly assess the genetic potential in the early stages of crop growth, accurately identifying genes related to yield, quality, and resistance to multiple adverse conditions. This significantly shortens breeding cycles and improves efficiency.

The technology has been widely applied in the breeding of various crops, livestock and poultry. For instance, in China, an independently developed rice gene chip can simultaneously detect over a thousand gene loci associated with quality grain and disease and lodging resistance. A specialized swine gene chip enables precise selection of breeding stock with low fat content and strong disease resistance. From staple crops to cash crops, and from poultry to livestock, gene chips have become a critical tool for exploring breeding resources and developing new varieties, transforming breeding from an experience-driven to a data-driven endeavor.

The recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) propose to invigorate the seed industry, providing strong support for the deep integration of gene chip technology with seed projects.

Currently, gene chips are increasingly being integrated with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and gene editing, driving a profound transformation in China's seed industry. In Henan province, research teams are utilizing AI models to analyze gene chip data and predict crop performance under various climatic conditions. By combining gene editing with gene chips, scientists can precisely modify target genes and quickly verify the outcomes, accelerating the shift from mere seed selection to design, and from enhancing single traits to converging multiple desirable traits.

Germplasm resources are the foundation of innovations in seed breeding. China has built world-class germplasm resource banks, holding the world's largest collection, yet underutilization has persisted. Gene chip technology, which enables precise identification and efficient screening, effectively taps the potential of these vast reserves. The independently developed "Zhongnongxin 18K" maize chip facilitates large-scale genotyping of corn genetic resources, highlighting their distinguished traits. The Chinese Crop Germplasm Resources Information System is employing gene chip technology to build a digital gene database that supports innovation. The Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences has leveraged this technology to identify multiple resistance genes from traditional wheat varieties, developing new varieties well-suited to the climatic conditions of the Huang-Huai-Hai region in North China.

However, opportunities are accompanied by challenges. There is still a lack of independent intellectual property in certain core technologies, components, and reagents for gene chips. A disparity exists in the innovation capacity of seed companies, with most small and medium-sized enterprises underinvesting in research and development. The industry, academia, and research domains need deeper integration, and the "last mile" transition of new technologies from the lab to the field has yet to be fully achieved.

A multi-faceted approach is necessary to fully unlock the potential of gene chip technology. First, resources should be concentrated on overcoming bottlenecks in key components and reagents for gene chips. Second, collaborative innovation among industry, academia, and research needs to be enhanced by establishing breeding innovation consortia, with enterprises as the primary drivers, supported by research institutes and universities. Third, policy support can be enhanced by increasing R&D investment, strengthening intellectual property protection for new varieties, and fostering internationally competitive seed enterprises.

As a hub for agriculture and the seed industry, Henan shoulders a critical responsibility. In recent years, the province has increased investment in sci-tech innovation of the seed industry, establishing high-level platforms such as the National Bio-breeding Industry Innovation Center in Xinxiang. This has facilitated the widespread application of gene chips in breeding new varieties of crops such as wheat, corn and peanuts. Zhengzhou University is also integrating interdisciplinary strengths to conduct research in agriculture and biomanufacturing, and supporting local seed industry development.

From laboratory tests to field crop growth, with the time needed to cultivate new varieties reduced from a decade to just two years, gene chips are helping invigorate the seed industry. Promoting the integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as gene chips, with the seed industry, not only leads to more quality varieties, but also accelerates the industry's high-tech advancement. This helps strengthen the seed industry, safeguard national food security, and provide useful experience for global food security.

The author is a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and the Party chief of Zhengzhou University.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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