Bioscience Method 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 66-75 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 66 Feature Review Open Access Innovative Breeding Techniques for Cassava: The Role of Doubled Haploids and Genetic Engineering JiongFu Hainan Institute of Troppical Agricultural Resources (HITAR), Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding author: jiong.fu@hitar.org Bioscience Method, 2024, Vol.15, No.2 doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0008 Received: 03 Feb., 2024 Accepted: 14 Mar., 2024 Published: 01 Apr., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Fu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Fu J., 2024, Innovative breeding techniques for cassava: the role of doubled haploids and genetic engineering, Bioscience Method, 15(2): 66-75 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0008) Abstract Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a crucial crop for food security in tropical and subtropical regions. However, its genetic improvement is hindered by its long breeding cycle and heterozygous nature. This study explores innovative breeding techniques, focusing on the role of doubled haploids (DH) and genetic engineering in accelerating cassava breeding. Doubled haploid technology, which enables the rapid production of homozygous lines, has been successfully applied in various crops and holds promise for cassava improvement. Techniques such as gynogenesis, another culture, and interspecific pollination are discussed for their potential to induce DHs in cassava. Additionally, advancements in genetic engineering, including CRISPR/Cas9 and other gene-editing tools, are examined for their role in enhancing DH production and incorporating desirable traits. The integration of these innovative techniques could significantly shorten the breeding cycle and improve cassava's adaptability to changing environmental conditions. This study highlights the current state of DH and genetic engineering technologies, their applications in cassava breeding, and future directions for research. Keywords Cassava; Doubled haploids; Genetic engineering; Gynogenesis; CRISPR/Cas9 1 Introduction Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a vital staple crop, ranking as the sixth most important food crop globally and serving as a primary food source for approximately 800 million people worldwide (Amelework and Bairu, 2022). In Africa, cassava holds significant importance, being the second most crucial food crop after maize, with the continent being the largest producer of cassava (Amelework and Bairu, 2022). Its resilience to harsh climatic conditions and ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils make it an indispensable crop for food security, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (Obata et al., 2020). The crop's adaptability and high productivity under challenging environmental conditions underscore its critical role in sustaining the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. Despite its importance, cassava cultivation faces several challenges that hinder its potential yield and quality. One of the primary issues is the limited understanding of the metabolic processes that contribute to its high productivity, including photosynthesis efficiency and source/sink limitations (Obata et al., 2020). Additionally, cassava breeding programs encounter difficulties due to the crop's genetic complexity and the presence of various genetic groups with heterogeneous linkage disequilibrium (Ogbonna et al., 2020). These challenges are compounded by the need for improved resistance to pests and diseases, as well as enhanced nutritional content and processing qualities. Addressing these issues requires innovative breeding techniques and a comprehensive understanding of the genetic and metabolic traits that influence cassava's performance. This study highlights advancements in cassava genetic analysis and breeding efforts, examines the genetic diversity and population structure of cassava germplasm to inform breeding strategies, identifies key metabolic traits and genetic markers that can be targeted for enhancing cassava yield and quality, and discusses the potential of doubled haploids and genetic engineering in overcoming the current challenges in cassava breeding and cultivation. By synthesizing the latest research findings, this study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how modern breeding techniques can be leveraged to enhance cassava's productivity, resilience, and nutritional value, ultimately contributing to global food security.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODY0NQ==