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VOL. 8, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Plant junk DNA: Useful or trash- A debate
Authors
Varsha Kumari, Priyanka Kumawat, Sharda Choudhary, Ashish Sheera, DK Gothwal, Shailesh Marker, MK Meena, Bhuri Singh, MK Sharma, Ashok Kumar Meena, Kailash Chandra, Ram Kunwar, GL Kumawat, Anchal Agrawal
Abstract
Plant junk DNA was originally used to describe
regions of the genome that do not code for proteins and were thought to have no
biological function. Early studies revealed that only about 1–2% of the human
genome encodes proteins, leaving the remaining 98–99% classified as non-coding
DNA. However, advances in molecular genetics, genomics, and epigenetics have
demonstrated that many non-coding regions play critical roles in gene
regulation, chromosome structure, genome stability, and evolution. Although
some DNA sequences may indeed be non-functional remnants of evolutionary
processes, a significant proportion of so-called junk DNA is now recognized as
biologically important. This review discusses the origin of the junk DNA
concept, its major components, evidence supporting both functional and
non-functional roles, and current perspectives on whether junk DNA is truly
“trash” or an essential part of the genome.
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Pages:217-219
How to cite this article:
Varsha Kumari, Priyanka Kumawat, Sharda Choudhary, Ashish Sheera, DK Gothwal, Shailesh Marker, MK Meena, Bhuri Singh, MK Sharma, Ashok Kumar Meena, Kailash Chandra, Ram Kunwar, GL Kumawat, Anchal Agrawal "Plant junk DNA: Useful or trash- A debate". International Journal of Agriculture and Plant Science, Vol 8, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 217-219
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