This review addresses the mechanisms by which epigenetic variation modulates plant gene
regulation and phenotype. In particular we explore the scope for harnessing such processes …

DNA methylation is a key chromatin modification in plant genomes that is meiotically and
mitotically heritable, and at times is associated with gene expression and morphological …

Highlights•Epigenetic variation in plants is frequently linked to genetic variation.•Single large
effect mutations perturb the epigenetic landscape in trans.•DNA methylation regulates …

Phenotypic variation within organisms is driven primarily by genetic diversity. However,
there is a growing appreciation that epigenetic variation, resulting from a multitude of diverse …

If food and feed production are to keep up with world demand in the face of climate change,
continued progress in understanding and utilizing both genetic and epigenetic sources of …

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that can affect gene expression and
transposable element (TE) activities. Because cytosine DNA methylation patterns are …

In plants, the gene expression and associated phenotypes can be modulated by dynamic
changes in DNA methylation, occasionally being fixed in certain genomic loci and inherited …

Highlights•Plant populations contain abundant genetic and epigenetic diversity.•Epigenetic
variation can be heritable but is less stable than genetic variation.•Isolating the effects of …

Maintaining global food security is a major challenge that requires novel strategies for crop
improvement. Epigenetic regulation of plant responses to adverse environmental conditions …

Highlights•Epigenetics was envisaged as a discipline to inform evolutionary
theory.•Methylation of transposable elements (TEs) affects gene expression.•Methylation …