Global Competition Showcases Varied Approaches to Predict Maize Yield

In 2022 and 2023, an exciting global competition named Genomes to Fields (G2F) took place. This event focused on predicting maize yields by combining genetic and environmental factors. The challenge? To improve these predictions and make a real-world impact on food security, fuel, and planet care. The competition attracted a diverse group of participants from all over the world, including academics, government officials, industry experts, and independent individuals. Some had no formal genetics training, while others were just starting their graduate studies. They came from various backgrounds like plant science, statistics, and computational biology. Teams used different methods and strategies to predict maize yields. The winner combined machine learning and traditional breeding tools, focusing on both environment and genetics. Other top teams used approaches like quantitative genetics, deep learning, and even mechanical models. The dataset included a wide range of factors like genetics, weather, and field management notes collected over nine years. This showed that no single model or strategy was clearly the best.