Heterosis is a natural phenomenon, that is to say, the hybrid offspring show stronger traits than their parents in yield, adaptability and abiotic stress. Heterosis has been widely used in agricultural production because it can significantly improve crop yield and resistance. At present, botanists have preliminarily explained the formation mechanism and genetic mechanism of crop heterosis, but the reasons of the heterosis are complex and need to be further studied. In this study, the prediction methods of heterosis and the application progress of main crops on heterosis were elaborated. It can be predicted that the complex mechanism of heterosis will be gradually clarified through advanced sequencing technology combined with multi omics research in the future. At the same time, more genes and molecular markers related to heterosis should be excavated, and the prediction methods of heterosis should be innovated, so as to provide accurate direction for the utilization of heterosis.