AI育种，迎来“基因科学家”（探一线）

Core Insights - The article discusses the integration of AI technology in agricultural breeding, specifically through the "Fengdeng" project, which aims to enhance crop breeding efficiency using advanced AI models [1][2]. Group 1: AI in Crop Breeding - The "Fengdeng" project, launched by a collaborative team including Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and other research institutions, introduced the "Fengdeng·Seed Industry Large Model" in April 2024, followed by the "Fengdeng·Gene Scientist" AI tool in July 2024 to assist researchers in exploring and validating unknown gene functions [1][2]. - The AI model is trained on vast datasets to accurately identify the relationship between genes and traits, enabling precise predictions and experimental designs in breeding [2]. Group 2: Breeding Efficiency and Challenges - Traditional breeding methods are time-consuming and heavily reliant on expert experience, often taking years to validate hypotheses with limited success rates [1]. - The increasing frequency of extreme climate events has made reliance on manual experience even less effective, highlighting the need for data-driven approaches in breeding [1]. Group 3: Research Outcomes and Future Directions - The "Fengdeng" project has identified new gene functions related to plant height and photosynthetic efficiency in rice, and accurately predicted candidate genes associated with traits in corn, aligning well with field trial results [3]. - The research team plans to expand the system to incorporate more crop data, environmental data, and breeding knowledge, evolving towards a comprehensive intelligent breeding platform [3].