Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 23-32 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 23 Research Insight Open Access Recent Insights into Molecular Breeding for High Yield Sweet Potato Cultivars Liang Zhang, Honghu Ji, Meiqiao Jiang, Ziyu Zhong, Linrun Cheng Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Jinhua Key Laboratory of Innovative Utilization of Special Grain Crops Resources in Central Zhejiang Province 321017, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: clrjh@126.com Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol.16, No.1 doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0003 Received: 06 Nov., 2024 Accepted: 18 Jan., 2025 Published: 06 Feb., 2025 Copyright © 2025 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., Ji H.H., Jiang M.Q., Zhong Z.Y., and Chen L.R., 2025, Recent insights into molecular breeding for high yield sweet potato cultivars, Bioscience Methods, 16(1): 23-32 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0003) Abstract Sweet potato is a vital staple crop with significant potential to address global food security challenges. Developing high-yield cultivars is essential to enhance productivity and meet increasing demand, and molecular breeding has emerged as a promising approach for achieving these goals. This study explores recent advancements in molecular breeding techniques applied to sweet potato, with a focus on understanding its unique genomic architecture and genetic diversity. Key methods such as marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), CRISPR-based gene editing, and RNA interference (RNAi) are examined for their role in improving yield-related traits, photosynthetic efficiency, storage root development, and stress tolerance. A case study on breeding programs in China highlights successful cultivar development and lessons for global breeding efforts. This study also addresses challenges in molecular breeding, including polyploidy complexities and limitations in genomic tools, while outlining future opportunities such as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and international collaborations. This study emphasizes the need for targeted breeding strategies and policy support to ensure the development of resilient, high-yield cultivars capable of contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture. Keywords Sweet potato; Molecular breeding; CRISPR; Marker-assisted selection; Yield improvement 1 Introduction Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a vital root crop globally, known for its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and its nutritional benefits. It ranks as one of the most important crops in many countries, including Mozambique, where it is the third most significant root crop after cassava and maize (Maquia et al., 2013). The crop's versatility allows it to be cultivated in various climates, from tropical to temperate regions, making it a staple food source in many parts of the world (Karan and Şanli, 2021). High-yield sweet potato cultivars are crucial for enhancing food security, especially in regions prone to food shortages. The ability to produce more food per unit area can significantly impact the availability of nutritious food, particularly in developing countries. For instance, in Turkey, expanding sweet potato cultivation to new regions has been suggested to meet the increasing domestic demand (Karan and Şanli, 2021). High-yield cultivars not only ensure a stable food supply but also contribute to economic stability by providing farmers with a reliable source of income (Swanckaert et al., 2021). Molecular breeding has emerged as a powerful tool in crop improvement, enabling the development of cultivars with desirable traits such as high yield, drought tolerance, and disease resistance. By utilizing genetic, morphological, and agronomic diversity, researchers can identify and select genotypes that are best suited for specific environmental conditions. This approach has been particularly effective in characterizing sweet potato germplasm and identifying genotypes with high agronomic potential, which can be used in breeding programs to develop superior cultivars (Maquia et al., 2013; Teshome et al., 2020). This study aims to provide recent insights into the molecular breeding of sweet potato for high-yield cultivars. It will explore the genetic diversity within sweet potato germplasm, the assessment of yield and quality traits in different environmental conditions, and the potential of molecular breeding techniques to enhance sweet potato production. By examining these aspects, the study seeks to highlight the importance of molecular breeding in ensuring food security and improving the livelihoods of farmers globally.
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