Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 348-355 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 348 Meta Analysis Open Access Leveraging Global Sweet Potato Germplasm to Promote Genetic Diversity in Breeding Liang Zhang1*, XueQi 2*, Honghu Ji 1, Ziyu Zhong1, Meiqiao Jiang1, Linrun Cheng1, 1 Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Jinhua Key Laboratory of Innovative Utilization of Special Grain Crops Resources in Central Zhejiang Province , Jinhua, 321017, Zhejiang, China 2 Agricultural Technology Extension Station, Wucheng District, Jinhua City, Jinhua, 321017, Zhejiang, China * These authors contributed equally to this work. Corresponding author: clrjh@126.com Bioscience Methods, 2024, Vol.15, No.6 doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0034 Received: 11 Oct., 2024 Accepted: 20 Nov., 2024 Published: 14 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhang 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: Zhang L., Qi X., Ji H.H., Zhong Z.Y., Jiang M.Q., and Cheng L.R., 2024, Leveraging global sweet potato germplasm to promote genetic diversity in breeding, Bioscience Methods, 15(6): 348-355 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0034) Abstract Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a globally important crop, and its genetic diversity is vital for breeding programs aimed at enhancing disease resistance, yield, and stress tolerance. Genetic diversity studies provide crucial insights for crop improvement, but the vast amount of data across various regions remains underutilized. This study synthesizes findings from global genetic diversity studies on sweet potato, focusing on the geographic distribution of germplasm, genetic markers employed, and regional variability. Our analysis reveals key trends in diversity levels, highlights the impact of breeding practices, and identifies regions where germplasm variability is highest. These findings have important implications for breeding strategies, providing guidance on selecting traits for improvement and integrating diversity data into breeding programs. This study concludes by recommending the incorporation of emerging genomic technologies and bioinformatics tools to enhance the efficiency of sweet potato breeding efforts, and provides a roadmap for future breeding initiatives to maximize the use of genetic diversity for crop improvement. Keywords Sweet potato; Genetic diversity; Breeding strategies; Meta-analysis; Germplasm 1 Introduction Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (Lour.) Burkill) is a vital food crop globally, ranking as the sixth most important food crop worldwide (Lamaro et al., 2022). Originating from the Americas, it has spread across various continents, with China leading its production in a market valued at USD 45 trillion. The crop is known for its rich nutritional profile, including sugars, resistant starch, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, which contribute to its health benefits and global significance (Escobar-Puentes et al., 2022). The genetic diversity of sweet potato is crucial for its adaptability and resilience, with significant variations observed in different regions, such as the moderate diversity found in New Guinea compared to tropical America (Roullier et al., 2013). Genetic diversity is a cornerstone for crop improvement, providing the necessary variability for breeding programs to enhance yield, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability (Li, 2024). In sweet potato, genetic diversity studies have revealed significant polymorphisms and diversity indices, which are essential for developing robust breeding strategies(Sun et al., 2022). The genetic diversity within sweet potato germplasms, such as those conserved at the National Agrobiodiversity Center, highlights the need for efficient management and collection of diverse accessions to support breeding efforts (Lee et al., 2019). Furthermore, the role of genetic diversity in suppressing invasive species and improving crop resilience underscores its importance in sustainable agriculture (Shen et al., 2019). This study, by compiling and analyzing data from multiple research papers, assesses the genetic diversity of sweet potato, including intra- and inter-population genetic variability, explores the impact of this diversity on breeding and crop improvement, and identifies key factors influencing sweet potato genetic diversity, aiming to contribute to the development of more resilient and productive varieties, ultimately supporting global food security and agricultural sustainability.
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