Status Of Breeding Research Articles

Current status and development trend of cassava breeding

Current status and development trend of cassava breeding

Current Status of Breeding of Avermectin-producing Bacteria

Current Status of Breeding of Avermectin-producing Bacteria

Brown-top millet: an overview of breeding, genetic, and genomic resources development for crop improvement.

Brown-top millet is a lesser-known millet with a high grain nutrient value, early maturation, and drought tolerance that needs basic research to understand and conserve food security. Brown-top millet [Urochloa ramosa (L.)] is currently cultivated in some developing countries (especially in India) for food and fodder, although it is less known among the small millets. Like other millets, it contains macro- and micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fiber, all of which have rich health benefits. The nutritional importance and health benefits of brown-top millet are still unknown to many people due to a lack of awareness, wide cultivation, and research. Hence, this millet is currently overshadowed by other major cereals. This review article aims to present the nutritional, breeding, genetic, and genomic resources of brown-top millet to inform millet and other plant researchers. It is important to note that genetic and genomic resources have not yet been created for this millet. To date, there are no genomic and transcriptomic resources for brown-top millet to develop single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and insertion/Deletions (InDels) for breeding studies. Furthermore, studies regarding nutritional significance and health benefits are required to investigate the exact nutritional contents and health benefits of the brown-top millet. The present review delves into the nutritional value and health advantages of brown-top millet, as supported by the available literature. The limitations of producing brown-top millet have been enumerated. We also cover the status of marker-assisted breeding and functional genomics research on closely related species. Lastly, we draw insights for further research such as developing omics resources and applying genome editing to study and improve brown-top millet. This review will help to start breeding and other molecular studies to increase the growth and development of this cereal.

Status, Gaps and Perspectives of Powdery Mildew Resistance Research and Breeding in Cucurbits

Cucurbitaceae, the gourd family of flowering plants, is a very large and diverse family, the order Cucurbitales, contains 95 genera and 950–980 species of food and ornamental plants, and wild and weedy species mostly with high genetic diversity. This review is focused on the most important cucurbit crops (Cucumis sativus, Cucumis melo, Cucurbita spp., Citrullus lanatus, Momordica charantia, Lagenaria siceraria, and Luffa acutangula) and some their wild relatives as hosts of cucurbit powdery mildews (CPM). Powdery mildews (PM) (Ascomycota, Erysiphales) are one of the most frequently encountered and easily visible groups of plant pathogenic fungi with > 900 species. They are obligate biotrophs, they colonize above-ground plant tissues, mostly leaves, though they may also colonize stems, petioles, flowers and fruits, and they are usually debilitators, not killers. These parasitic fungi have been problematic on cucurbits for a long time world-wide, causing serious economic losses in yield and quality. All economically important cucurbit crops host CPM. Seven PM species with different taxonomic positions, host ranges, geographic distributions and ecological requirements are known on cucurbits. CPM species taxonomy and denomination rapidly changed during last few decades through detailed analyses and clarifications. At least three PM species frequently parasitize cucurbits: the endoparasite Leveillula taurica (Lt) with marginal economic importance; and two ectoparasitic species, Golovinomyces orontii (Go), and Podosphaera xanthii (Px), which are economically important world-wide. The two pathogens differ in ecological requirements and distribution, though they may occur together in mixed infections. They are highly variable at the population level for virulence, race identities, and fast adaptation of pathogens. Cucurbit-CPM species interactions are diverse and complicated, and differ between hosts and their respective pathogen genera and species. Here we present a critical overview of obstacles, gaps and recent progress in these matters for six cucurbit genera with respect to resistance resources, genetics of resistance, genetic mapping and development of molecular markers, physiology and mechanisms of resistance, developments in mlo-mediated resistance, patents, and CPM resistance breeding.

Status of duck breeding in India

Duck is the second most important species of poultry after chicken in India. Due to its many advantages, it is popular in the coastal states and states having large water bodies. Different indigenous and exotic breeds that are being evaluated and reported through research findings are summarized in this review. The history of import of exotic breeds to the country with breeding programme initiated for these breeds in India are discussed with reference to the status of breeds in respect to meat and egg production improved through selection in other countries. The status of purebred selection and breeding programme in indigenous duck being undertaken in our country are very few and being documented with reference to world scenario. Crossbreeding experiment using indigenous and exotic breeds in the countries are reported in respect to growth, conformation traits, production, reproduction, carcass quality, egg quality, egg weight and feed conversion ratio. Performance of the crossbred improved in respect to different traits measured compared to the indigenous breed showing heterosis in positive direction. General combining ability, specific combining ability and reciprocal effects are found to be significant for most of the traits studied in a 3×3 diallel cross using indigenous duck of Odisha, Khaki Campbell and White Pekin. The importance of availability of quality germplasm and performance improvement through duck breeding in India is to be taken on priority. Besides this, the conservation and documentation of all the indigenous breeds and variety is need of the hour. Commercial exploitation of indigenous duck breeds as they are well adapted to our harsh climatic conditions needs to be explored.

Okra: Breeding and Genomics

Okra is an important vegetable crop cultivated throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of the world and in the warmer regions of the temperate zones. Its commercial cultivation is distributed exclusively across the various developing countries in Asia and Africa. The commonly cultivated okra is reported to a tetraploid species and has a very large and complex genome which hampers its speedy genetic improvement utilizing modern omics technology. Breeding methodologies suitable for self-pollinated crops have been often utilized for the genetic improvement of okra such as plant introduction, pure line selection, hybridization followed by selection, mutation breeding and heterosis breeding. Pedigree selection and heterosis breeding has been used by okra breeders which resulted in the development of lots of varieties and hybrids in India. In modern-day okra breeding along with high yield potential, multiple tolerance to YVMV, OELCV, sucking pest and borer, easy to harvest, dark green fruit color and ideal plant type are the major target traits. During the last few decades, different public sector institutions has developed and released as many as 33 improved varieties/hybrids for the benefit of the farming community across the country. Few of these varieties/hybrids have already made a noteworthy impact in okra production in India. This article reviewed the current status of okra breeding including genetic resources, cytogenetic relationship, breeding objectives, varietal development, resistance breeding, biotechnological intervention and its future improvement strategies.

History and Current Status of Sugarcane Breeding, Germplasm Development and Molecular Approaches in Bangladesh

History and Current Status of Sugarcane Breeding, Germplasm Development and Molecular Approaches in Bangladesh

Current Status of Breeding of Rice Cultivars with Resistance to Pecky Rice Incidence Caused by the Stink Bugs

Current Status of Breeding of Rice Cultivars with Resistance to Pecky Rice Incidence Caused by the Stink Bugs

Challenges and potentials of new breeding techniques in Cannabis sativa.

Cannabis sativa L. is an ancient crop used for fiber and seed production and not least for its content of cannabinoids used for medicine and as an intoxicant drug. Due to the psychedelic effect of one of the compounds, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), many countries had regulations or bands on Cannabis growing, also as fiber or seed crop. Recently, as many of these regulations are getting less tight, the interest for the many uses of this crop is increasing. Cannabis is dioecious and highly heterogenic, making traditional breeding costly and time consuming. Further, it might be difficult to introduce new traits without changing the cannabinoid profile. Genome editing using new breeding techniques might solve these problems. The successful use of genome editing requires sequence information on suitable target genes, a genome editing tool to be introduced into plant tissue and the ability to regenerate plants from transformed cells. This review summarizes the current status of Cannabis breeding, uncovers potentials and challenges of Cannabis in an era of new breeding techniques and finally suggests future focus areas that may help to improve our overall understanding of Cannabis and realize the potentials of the plant.

Status of conventional and molecular breeding of salinity‐tolerant tilapia

AbstractAquaculture is an important sector for ensuring global food security. Due to the scarcity of freshwater available for expanding aquaculture, the development of omnivorous fish species and varieties that can tolerate high salinity will enhance fish production. Some tilapia species are good candidates for aquaculture in brackish and seawater because they can grow in high salinity. Among tilapia species, Oreochromis mossambicus, Oreochromis aureus, Oreochromis spilurus, Oreochromis urolepis hornorum, Sarotherodon galilaeus and Coptodon zillii are the most salinity‐tolerant. Hybrids derived from salinity‐tolerant tilapia species are tolerant to a certain level of salinity. They have been used in aquaculture production in brackish water and full seawater. Conventional selective breeding has been applied to increase the growth rate of salinity‐tolerant tilapias. However, their growth rate is lower than that of the freshwater Oreochromis niloticus. Recently, many genomic resources and tools have been developed for salinity‐tolerant tilapia. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) for important economic traits, including salinity tolerance and other desired traits, have been carried out and applied in molecular breeding for superior salinity‐tolerant tilapia lines. In this review, we systematically analysed tilapia species that can be cultured in brackish and saltwater. We summarized previous works in conventional breeding and molecular breeding for salinity‐tolerant tilapia. We pointed out a few known and potential challenges in the selective breeding and culture of salinity‐tolerant tilapia. Due to the rapid advances in molecular and other disruptive technologies, we are optimistic that novel breeding approaches will significantly increase the production salinity‐tolerant tilapia.

Male sterility and hybrid breeding in soybean

Hybrid breeding can help us to meet the challenge of feeding a growing world population with limited agricultural land. The demand for soybean is expected to grow; however, the hybrid soybean is still in the process of commercialization even though considerable progress has been made in soybean genome and genetic studies in recent years. Here, we summarize recent advances in male sterility-based breeding programs and the current status of hybrid soybean breeding. A number of male-sterile lines with cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), genic-controlled photoperiod/thermo-sensitive male sterility, and stable nuclear male sterility (GMS) have been identified in soybean. More than 40 hybrid soybean varieties have been bred using the CMS three-line hybrid system and the cultivation of hybrid soybean is still under way. The key to accelerating hybrid soybean breeding is to increase the out-crossing rate in an economical way. This review outlines current problems with the hybrid soybean breeding systems and explores the current efforts to make the hybrid soybean a commercial success.

Cashew Production and Breeding in 5 West African Countries

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Is an evergreen perennial tree crop that produce hard greyish nut enclosing a white nutritious kernel. The kernel is one of the major edible nuts or snacks with increasing global demand. The world's largest and most active cashew production region is in West Africa; where Cote d’ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Guinea-bissau and Ghana top the list of countries where it thrives best. Since 2014, cashew has become the second-main crop after cocoa in terms of export value, in these countries. It is one of the essential agricultural commodities that have significantly boosted the continent of Africa's GDP, foreign exchange profits, and overall worth due to the rising demand for raw cashew nuts. Cote d'ivoire has profited from a few research and development programs in nut quality control. Efforts are on to enhance the peel-ability of Nigerian cashews and to produce improved planting material with the help of private sector investment. Cashew cultivars development of Guinea-bissau has not made significant progress, due to few resources available for doing research. In Ghana, there are efforts to increase the genetic diversity of cashews, and in Benin, numerous farmers have reported inadequate output from their cashew fields. Narrow genetic diversity has been reported in west African cashew gene pools. Low productivity, poor nut quality, infestation of pests and diseases, poor funding, and other factors continue to limit cashew production in West Africa. Improvement in nut yield, nut quality, and broadening of cashew genetic base is important to the sustainability of the region’s cashew sector. This paper provides an overview of current status of cashew production and breeding in the top five cashew producing countries of West African; the challenges, and opportunities for future improvement.

Overview of ecology and automation status of pig breeding

The mass production of pigs will affect the ecological environment around the pig farm. It requires hard work and a lot of manpower and material resources. This paper investigates the ecological environment status of pig manure cleaning and treatment, antibiotic and nitrogen and phosphorus treatment in manure, and gas pollution treatment in pig farms. The development of pig house environmental monitoring and pig farm feeding automation is reviewed. It is pointed out that the research on the cleaning and disposal methods of pig excretion pollutants, the integration of these methods, and the automation and intelligence of pig breeding will become the main research trend of pig breeding.

Possible EU futures for CRISPR-edited plants: Little margin for optimism?

This article addresses the scenarios that may be encountered by the first application for pre-market approval of a CRISPR-edited plant in the EU. Two alternative scenarios are considered in the short and medium term. One of these possible EU futures depends on the final drafting and approval of EU legislation on certain New Genomic Techniques, which was started in 2021 and is due to be quite advanced before the next European Parliament elections in 2024. Since the proposed legislation excludes plants with foreign DNA, two different approval processes for CRISPR-edited plants will coexist if the legislation enters into force: one for plants whose genome has been altered, resulting in mutagenesis, cisgenesis and intragenesis; and the second for plants whose alterations result in transgenesis in general. In the event that this legislative process does not succeed, CRISPR-edited plants in the EU could face a regulatory scenario whose foundations were laid in the 1990s: the regulatory framework that applies to GM crops, food and feed. In this review, an ad hoc analytical framework has been built that considers in depth the two possible futures for CRISPR-edited plants in the EU. This framework emphasises the way in which the European Union and the Member States (MS), with their respective national interests, have historically shaped the regulatory framework for plant breeding in the EU. On the basis of the analyses carried out on the two possible futures for CRISPR-edited plants and of their potential with respect to plant breeding, the main conclusions are the following. Firstly, that the regulatory review that started in 2021 is not in itself "good enough" for plant breeding and CRISPR-edited plants. Secondly, that compared to its alternative, the regulatory review currently underway contains at least some promising improvements in the short term. Hence, thirdly, in addition to adopting the current regulation, the MS need to continue to work towards a substantial improvement in the legal status of plant breeding in the EU in the medium term.

Status and way-forward in breeding potato (Solanum tuberosum) for resistance to late blight

Improving host resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans) has been a major concern of potato breeders since the Irish famine of 1840s. Since then, a number of late blight resistant potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars have been developed using both conventional and molecular techniques. However, resistance to late blight did not last long and broke down due to the emergence of more virulent races of Phytophthora infestans. This perspective paper presents the status of sources of resistance to late blight, defence mechanism of host against the pathogen and late blight resistance genes mapped, cloned, and transferred to cultivated potato. Considerable progress has been made in all aspects of breeding potato for resistance to late blight. However, a critical appraisal of the status of potato breeding for resistance to late blight suggests the continued need to identify new sources of resistance, transfer of resistance genes from diverse sources and stacking them in maximum number into individual plants. Other breeding strategies to combat this dreaded disease are also discussed.

Application of the CRISPR/Cas system for gene editing in ornamental crops

Ornamental plants are widespread and popular all over the world. Floriculture industry is of significant economic importance for some countries. Favorable prospects for the development of industrial floriculture were also noted for Russia. This can be facilitated by CRISPR/Cas, a breakthrough method of editing genes responsible for economically valuable traits of plants, which allows bypassing the limitations of the potential intraspecific variability of plants and solving the problem of obtaining non-transgenic modified plants. This article analyzes the current status of ornamental crop breeding using the CRISPR/Cas genetic editing method. The articles were selected from the Scopus database. A search encompassing 50 most common ornamental crops yielded the total of 26 articles on genetic editing using the CRISPR/Cas system, in particular: 8 articles featuring petunia; 1 per each crop on chrysanthemum, kalanchoe, poinsettia and tobacco; 2 per each on dendrobium, gentian, lily and torenia, and 3 per each on phalaenopsis and ipomoea. The found articles were divided into three groups. The first group includes works devoted to studies of mechanisms of genes controlling useful traits, as well as the optimization of the CRISPR/Cas method for a particular crop. The second group unites works aimed at modifying color of flowers and leaves. The third group includes works on increasing the life span of a flower and obtaining double flowers. The review offers the works on the optimization of gene editing in representatives of the orchid family Orchidaceae Juss. Also, it notes the prospects of gene editing by the CRISPR/Cas system, which can accelerate qualitative improvements in breeding and raise it effectiveness, it being especially important in present conditions.

Current status and prospects of raspberry breeding

Raspberries are among the most popular berries on the market; therefore, interest in this crop is constantly growing. Raspberries are cultivated in more than 50 countries around the world, and this number is increasing. The steady expansion of raspberry cultivation and yields is due to the scientific support of the industry with new cultivation technologies and varieties. The present study was aimed at revealing difficulties and problems in raspberry breeding and identifying current tendencies and development trends. The paper provides a brief overview of raspberry production in the world, as well as an analysis of active breeding programs in Russia and abroad. The features of the breeding tasks are considered depending on the regions of cultivation. The main problems, methods used, source materials and breeding achievements are presented. It is revealed that the overall purpose of breeding programs is to obtain productive varieties with high adaptation to abiotic and biotic stressors, suitable for various cultivation technologies and having excellent fruit quality. It was found that despite the successes achieved in raspberry breeding, at present there is still lack of varieties with high adaptation to the environment and very early or late-ripening varieties, allowing to extend the period of consumption of fresh berries, as well as lack of high-tech industrial varieties suitable for contemporary cultivation technologies, and varieties with required commodity and consumer properties. The prospects of raspberry breeding for the coming years are considered. It is shown that in order to achieve the strategic objectives in breeding, it is necessary to enrich the cultivated gene pool of raspberry with new inclusions of wild species of Rubus. This requires the cooperation and coordination of all breeding programs for the expansion and exchange of genetic resources. In order to accelerate the breeding process, it is necessary to actively use a large set of biotechnological methods tested and well-proven on berry crops. Wider use of molecular-genetic methods is essential to significantly increase the speed and accuracy of breeding.

Status and Analysis of Artificial Breeding and Management of Aquatic Turtles in China.

Simple SummaryTurtles have been on Earth for 300 million years, but their survival has been challenged as human activity has expanded. The results of a census and statistical analysis of artificially domesticated aquatic turtles in 15 provinces of China showed that 29 species were aquatic turtles native to China and a large number of exotic aquatic turtles are domesticated in China. This paper presents the current situation and problems of aquaculture and conservation of aquatic turtles in major provinces of China, and puts forward some suggestions for the conservation and management of aquatic turtles.China is a major country in turtle cultivation and has a long history of artificial breeding of turtles. In this study, a census and statistical analysis of artificially domesticated aquatic turtles in 15 provinces of China were conducted. The results showed that 29 species were aquatic turtles native to China, accounting for approximately 9% of the world’s total, and a large number of exotic aquatic turtles are also domesticated in China. The present situation of artificial breeding and protection of aquatic turtles in major provinces of China is shown, and existing problems are also put forward, with suggestions for the protection and management of aquatic turtles.

The Status of Genetic Resources and Olive Breeding in Tunisia

The olive tree, an iconic symbol of the Mediterranean basin, is the object of growing international interest in the production of olive oil for the world food market. In Tunisia, which is the fourth-largest producer of olive oil in the world, the production of olives and olive oil is of great socio-economic importance. Cultivation is widespread from north to south, but it is carried out using traditional techniques that results in extremely irregular production levels. To maintain their competitiveness on the international market, Tunisian producers must improve the quality of the oil through breeding plans that enhance the rich genetic heritage that is still not adequately exploited. The objective of this review is to present the state of olive breeding in Tunisia, illustrating the opportunities available for a better use of the rich Tunisian genetic heritage, the challenges it must face, and the need to multiply the efforts for sustainability, even in the light of the challenges posed by climate changes.

The status of Bovine and Ovine Breeding in the TR22 South Marmara Region, Roughage Production, Adequacy and Importance of Roughage in Animal Nutrition

Bu çalışmada, TR22 Güney Marmara (GM) bölgesinde büyükbaş ve küçükbaş hayvancılığın mevcut durumu, bölgenin arazi varlığı, yem bitkileri yetiştiriciliği ve kaba yem yeterliliği değerlendirilerek kaba yemlerin ruminant beslemedeki önemi tartışılmıştır. Balıkesir ve Çanakkale illerini içine alan TR22 GM bölgesi 24 400 km2 yüzölçümü ile Türkiye yüzölçümünün %3.11’ini, yaklaşık 1.8 milyon kişi ile nüfusunun %2.13’ünü, 792.8 bin ha tarım alanı ile tarım alanlarının %2.1’ini oluşturmaktadır. Balıkesir ili Gayri Safi Yurtiçi Milli Hasılası’nda tarım sektörünün payı %12.9 iken Çanakkale’de ise bu oran %18.1’dir. Bölgenin işlenebilir tarım alanlarının %29’una (1.5 milyon dekar) yem bitkileri ekilirken, üretilen yeşil ot 5.6 milyon tondur. Bu miktar, Türkiye yeşil ot üretiminin %9’u olup, Türkiye’de yem bitkileri ekili alanların %8’ini oluşturmaktadır. TR22 GM bölgesi 765 356 baş büyükbaş ve 2 272 056 baş küçükbaş hayvan varlığıyla Türkiye büyükbaş ve küçükbaş hayvan varlığının sırasıyla, %4.2 ve %4.7’sine sahiptir. Bölge, 1 079 613 ton çiğ süt üretimi ve yaklaşık 57 bin ton kırmızı et üretimi ile Türkiye süt üretimine %4.7’lik, kırmızı et üretimine %4.8’lik katkı sağlamaktadır. Bölgenin ruminant hayvan varlığına göre hesaplanan kaba yem ihtiyacı 2.15 milyon ton, bölgede yem bitkileri ile meralardan elde edilen kuru ot miktarı ise 1 648 908 tondur. Balıkesir’de üretilen kaba yemin il ihtiyacını karşılama oranı %63, Çanakkale’de %100 iken bölgede ise %77 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Hayvancılıkta, karlılık, sürdürebilirlik ve sağlıklı bir üretim, kaliteli ve ucuz kaba yem teminine bağlıdır. Bu nedenle, TR22 GM Bölgesinde kaba yem açığını gidermeye yönelik olarak projelerin geliştirilmesi, yem bitkileri yetiştiriciliğinin artırılması ve meraların iyileştirilerek korunması gerekmektedir.