Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 264-274 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 264 Feature Review Open Access Figure Review of Genetic Approaches to Improve Yield and Starch Content in Sweet Potato LetanLuo1,YuChen 2, LinZhao1, JiangShi 1 , Yanhao Zhao3 1 Crop (Ecology) Research Institute of Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, China 2 Science and Technology Bureau of Lin'an District, Lin'an, 311300, Zhejiang, China 3 Tonglu County Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Tonglu, 311500, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: tomatoman@126.com Bioscience Methods, 2024, Vol.15, No.6 doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0027 Received: 05 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 16 Oct., 2024 Published: 06 Nov., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Luo et al., 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: Luo L.T., Chen Y., Zhao L., Shi J., and Zhao Y.H., 2024, Figure review of genetic approaches to improve yield and starch content in sweet potato, Bioscience Methods, 15(6): 264-274 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0027) Abstract Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a globally significant crop for both food and industrial use, with high yield and starch content playing crucial roles in meeting demands for food, feed, and bioenergy. However, improving sweet potato yield and starch content poses challenges due to its genetic complexity and environmental sensitivity. This study summarizes genetic improvement methods for enhancing sweet potato yield and starch content, focusing on traditional breeding, marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), gene editing, and multi-omics integration strategies. In recent years, MAS and GS have shown distinct advantages in accelerating the selection of high-yield and high-starch traits in sweet potato. Gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, provide precise approaches for the targeted regulation of key genes. Additionally, multi-omics techniques, including transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics, help elucidate the biological pathways and regulatory mechanisms that influence yield and starch synthesis, offering strong support for optimizing breeding strategies. This study provides a clear direction for sweet potato breeding research, advancing progress toward high-yield and high-starch content varieties and carrying profound implications for global agricultural production and sustainability. Keywords Sweet potato; Genetic improvement; Yield; Starch content; Gene editing 1 Introduction Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a vital crop with significant economic and nutritional value worldwide. It is a staple food in many developing countries and serves as a crucial source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The crop's adaptability to diverse climatic conditions and its ability to thrive in poor soils make it an essential food security crop, particularly in regions prone to food scarcity. Additionally, sweet potato is increasingly recognized for its industrial applications, including its use in food derivatives, dietary supplements, and as a raw material in various industrial processes (Lyu et al., 2021). Despite its importance, sweet potato cultivation faces several challenges, particularly in terms of yield and starch content. Traditional breeding methods have been employed to address these issues, focusing on traits such as root yield, starch content, and disease resistance (Kar et al., 2022). However, the complex polyploid nature of sweet potato and its long breeding cycle have limited the effectiveness of these conventional approaches (Lyu et al., 2021). Recent advancements in genetic engineering and biotechnological techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, have shown promise in overcoming these challenges by enabling precise modifications to the sweet potato genome (Wang et al., 2019; Lyu et al., 2021). Enhancing the yield and starch content of sweet potato is crucial for meeting the growing global food demand and supporting sustainable agriculture. Increased yield and improved starch quality can significantly contribute to food security, particularly in regions where sweet potato is a staple crop (Lamaro et al., 2023). Moreover, higher starch content and better starch properties can enhance the crop's industrial value, making it more suitable for various applications, including biofuel production and food processing (Lyu et al., 2021). Genetic improvements that increase yield and starch content can also help in developing sweet potato varieties that are more resilient to environmental stresses, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural practices (Ren et al., 2018; Fan et al., 2021).
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