1. Disseting the genetic architecture of maize grain yield and quality traits

2. Mining the key genes controlling maize grain yield and quality traits, and understanding their molecular mechanisms

3. Molecular design breeding to synergistically improve maize grain yield and quality traits

(#co-first author；*corresponding or co-corresponding author)

1. Li Hui*, Fernie AR, Yang XH*. 2023 Using systems metabolic engineering strategies for high-oil maize breeding. Curr Opin in Biotechnol, 79:10284

2. Li WY, Jia HT, Li MF, Huang YQ, Chen WK, Yin PF, Yang ZX, Chen QY, Tian F, Zhang ZX, Yang XH*, Liu L*. 2023 Divergent selection of KNR6 maximizes grain production by balancing the flowering-time adaptation and ear size in maize. Plant Biotechnol J, 21(7):1311-1313

3. Wang M, Zhang RY, Zhao YZ, Yao JY, Li WY, Yang ZX, Sun F, Yang XH*. 2023 Identifying QTL and candidate genes for prolificacy in maize. Crop J, 11:531-539

4. Tang H, Zhang R, Wang M, Xie X, Zhang L, Zhang X, Liu C, Sun B, Qin F*, Yang X* (2023) QTL mapping for flowering time in a maize-teosinte population under well-watered and water-stressed conditions. Mol Breeding, 43(9):67

5. Chen WK, Chen L, Zhang X, Yang N, Guo JH, Wang M, Ji SH, Zhao XY, Yin PF, Cai LC, Xu J, Zhang LL, Han YJ, Xiao YN, Xu G, Wang YB, Wang SH, Wu S, Yang F, Jackson D, Cheng JK, Chen SH, Sun CQ, Qin F, Tian F, Fernie AR, Li JS*, Yan JB*, Yang XH*. 2022 Convergent selection of a WD40 protein that enhances grain yield in maize and rice. Science, 375(6587):eabg7985

6. Xu G, Zhang X, Chen WK, Zhang RY, Li Z, Wen WW, Warburton ML, Li JS, Li HH*, Yang XH*. 2022 Population genomics of Zea species identifies selection signatures during maize domestication and adaptation. BMC Plant Biol, 22: 72

7. Hu ST, Wang M, Zhang X, Chen WK, Song XR, Fu XY, Fang H, Xu J, Xiao YN, Li YR, Bai GH, Li JS, Yang XH*. 2021 Genetic basis of kernel starch content decoded in a maize multi-parent population. Plant Biotechnol J, 19:2192-2205

8. Fang H, Fu XY, Wang YB, Xu J, Feng HY, Li WY, Xu JT, Orawan J, Zhang X, Zhang LL, Yang N, Xu G, Wang M, Li XW, Li JS, Yan JB, Yang XH*. 2020 Genetic basis of kernel nutritional traits during maize domestication and improvement. Plant J, 101: 278–292

9. Kong DD, Fu XY, Jia XH, Wang WH, Li Y, Li JS, Yang XH*, Ju CL*. 2020 Identification of quantitative trait loci controlling ethylene production in germinating seeds in maize (Zea mays L.). Sci Report, 10:1677

10. Zhang LL, Zhang X, Wang XJ, Xu J, Wang M, Li L, Bai GH, Fang H, Hu ST, Li JG, Yan JB, Li JS, Yang XH*. 2019 SEED CAROTENOID DEFICIENT Functions in the plastid MEP pathway to produce isoprenoids in maize. Plant Physiol, 179(4): 1723–1738

11. Xu J, Fu XY, Cai Y, Wang M, Xu ST, Li JS, Yang XH*. 2019 Uncovering the genetic basis of carotenoid variations in maize kernels using two segregating populations. Mol Breeding, 39:7

12. Li WY, Yang ZX, Yao JY, Li JS, Song WB*, Yang XH*. 2018 Cellulose synthase-like D1 controls organ size in maize. BMC Plant Biol, 18:239

13. Chen QY, Han YJ, Liu HJ, Wang XF, Sun JM, Zhao BH, Li WY, Tian JG, Liang YM, Yan JB, Yang XH*, Tian F*. 2018 Genome-wide association analyses reveal the importance of alternative splicing in diversifying gene function and regulating phenotypic variation in maize. Plant Cell, 30:1404-1423.

14. Zhang RY, Xu G, Li JS, Yan JB, Li HH*, Yang XH*. 2018 Patterns of genomic variation in Chinese maize inbred lines and implications for genetic improvement. Theor Appl Genet, 131:1207-121

15. Han YJ, Xu G, Du HW, Hu JY, Liu ZJ, Li H, Li JS, Yang XH*. 2017 Natural variations in stearoyl-acp desaturase genes affect the conversion of tearic to oleic acid in maize kernel. Theor Appl Genet, 130:151-161

16.  Cui ZH, Luo JH, Qi CY, Ruan YY, Li J, Zhang A, Yang XH*, He Y*. 2016 Genome-wide association study (GWAS) reveals the genetic architecture of four husk traits in maize. BMC Genomics, (2016) 17:946

17. Wang XL, Wang HW, Liu SX, Ferjani A, Li JS, Yan JB, Yang XH*, Qin F*. 2016 Genetic variation in ZmVPP1 contributes to drought tolerance in maize seedlings. Nat Genet, 48(10): 1233-1241

18. Xiao YN, Thatcher S, Wang M, Wang TT, Beatty M, Zastrow-Hayes G, Li L, Li JS, Li BL, Yang XH*. 2016 Transcriptome analysis of near-isogenic lines provides molecular insights into starch biosynthesis in maize kernel. J Integr Plant Biol, 58(8): 713-723

19. Wang TT, Wang M, Hu ST, Xiao YN, Tong H, Pan QC, Xue JQ, Yan JB, Li JS, Yang XH*. 2015 Genetic basis of maize kernel starch content revealed by high-density single nucleotide polymorphism markers in a recombinant inbred line population. BMC Plant Biol, 15:288

20. Cai LC, Li K, Yang XH*, Li JS*. 2014 Identification of lager-effect QTL for kernel row number has potential for maize yield improvement. Mol Breeding, 34:1087-1096

21. Hao XM, Li XW, Yang XH*, Li JS*. 2014 Transferring a major QTL for oil content using marker-assisted backcrossing into an elite hybrid to increase the oil content in maize. Mol Breeding, 34:739–748

22. Li K, Yan JB, Li JS*, Yang XH*. 2014 Genetic architecture of rind penetrometer resistance in two maize recombinant inbred line populations. BMC Plant Biol, 14:152

23. Li H#, Peng ZY#, Yang XH#, Wang WD#, Fu JJ#, Wang JH#, Han YJ, Chai YC, Guo TT, Yang N, Liu J, Warburton ML, Cheng YB, Hao XM, Zhang P, Zhao JY, Liu YJ, Wang GY, Li JS, Yan JB. 2013 Genome-wide association study dissects the genetic architecture of oil biosynthesis in maize kernels. Nat Genet, 45: 43-50

24. Yang Q, Li Z, Li WQ, Ku LX, Wang C, Ye JR, Li K, Yang N, Li YP, Zhong T, Li JS, Chen YH*, Yan JB*, Yang XH*, Xu ML*. 2013 CACTA-like transposable element in ZmCCT attenuated photoperiod sensitivity and accelerated the postdomestication spread of maize. PNAS, 110: 16969-16974

25. Fu JJ#, Cheng YB#, Linghu JJ#, Yang XH#, Kang L#, Zhang ZX#, Zhang J, He C, Du XM, Peng ZY, Wang B, Zhai LH, Dai CM, Xu JB, Wang WD, Li XR, Zheng J, Chen L, Luo LH, Liu JJ, Qian XJ, Yan JB, Wang J, Wang GY. 2013 RNA sequencing reveals the complex regulatory network in maize kernel. Nat Commun, 4:2832

26. Li Q#, Yang XH#, Xu ST#, Cai Y, Zhang DL, Han YJ, Li L, Zhang ZX, Gao SB, Li JS, Yan JB. 2012 Genome-wide association studies identified three independent polymorphisms associated with α-tocopherol content in maize kernels. PLoS One, 7: e36807

27. Yang XH#, Ma HL#, Zhang P, Yan JB, Guo YQ, Song TM, Li JS. 2012 Characterization of QTL for oil content in maize kernel. Theor Appl Genet, 125(6): 1169-1179

28. Zhou Y, Han YJ, Li ZG, Fu Y, Fu ZY, Xu ST, Li JS, Yan JB, Yang XH*. 2012 ZmcrtRB3 encoding a carotenoid hydroxylase that affects the accumulation of α-carotene in maize kernel. J Integr Plant Bio, 54 (4): 260–269

29. Yang XH#, Gao SB#, Xu ST, Zhang ZX, Prasanna BM, Li L, Li JS, Yan JB. 2011 Characterization of a global germplasm collection and its potential utilization for analysis of complex quantitative traits in maize. Mol Breeding, 28:511-526

30. Yang XH, Xu YB, Shah T, Li HH, Han ZH, Li JS, Yan JB. 2011 Comparison of SSRs and SNPs in assessment of genetic relatedness in maize. Genetica, 139:1045-1054

31. Yang XH, Guo YQ, Yan JB, Zhang J, Song TM, Rocheford T, Li JS. 2010 Major and minor QTL and epistasis contribute to fatty acid compositions and oil concentration in high-oil maize. Theor Appl Genet, 120: 665-678

33. Yang XH, Yan JB, Shah T, Warburton ML, Li Q, Li L, Gao YF, Chai YC, Fu ZY, Zhou Y, Xu ST, Bai GH, Meng YJ, Zheng YP, Li JS. 2010 Genetic analysis and characterization of a new maize association mapping panel for quantitative trait loci dissection. Theor Appl Genet, 121:417-431

34. Yang XH, Guo YQ, Fu Y, Hu JY, Chai YC, Zhang YR, Li JS. 2009 Measuring fatty acid concentration in maize grain by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis, 29: 106-109

35.Yang XH, Li JS. High-oil maize genomics. Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2018. J. Bennetzen et al. (eds.), The Maize Genome, Compendium of Plant Genomes. Page 305-317