Harnessing the endocycle for improved crop biomass and quality

Endoreplication is a cornerstone of plant development and stress adaptation. It is a specialized cell cycle process in which DNA replication occurs without accompanying cell division. During this cycle, multiple levels of control involving regulators—such as cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclins—and epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone adjustments, work synergistically to ensure homeostasis. By stimulating metabolism, this mechanism plays diverse roles in plant development, ranging from promoting cell expansion and the development of specialized tissues (e.g., trichomes, guard cells, endosperm) to increasing overall plant size. In agricultural biotechnology, advances in understanding the molecular and epigenetic controls of this process provide opportunities to improve crop yields and enhance stress resistance. Furthermore, the endocycle contributes to stress tolerance and biomass production, making it a valuable target for crop improvement traits such as fruit size and quality. This review summarizes the fundamentals of endoreplication from the perspectives of development, stress response, and potential applications in plant agriculture, including current methodologies.