Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 23-32 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 25 2.3 Identification of key genes linked to yield traits The identification of key genes linked to yield traits is crucial for the development of high-yield sweet potato cultivars. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping using whole-genome next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been employed to identify clusters of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to important agronomic traits, such as storage root anthocyanin content (Yamakawa et al., 2021). Additionally, the construction of genetic maps using EST-SSR markers has facilitated the identification of QTLs associated with major agronomic characters in hexaploid sweet potato (Kim et al., 2017). These efforts have led to the development of tightly linked DNA markers that can be used in marker-assisted selection for yield improvement (Zhang, 2024). 2.4 Genetic diversity and its implications for molecular breeding Genetic diversity is a critical factor in the success of molecular breeding programs. Studies on the genetic diversity of sweet potato and its diploid ancestor, Ipomoea trifida, have revealed a wealth of genetic variation that can be harnessed for breeding purposes (Hirakawa et al., 2015). The comprehensive analysis of intraspecific and interspecific sequence data has provided valuable insights into the genetic makeup of sweet potato, enabling the identification of diverse alleles and haplotypes that can be targeted for trait improvement (Ding et al., 2019; Amundson et al., 2020). Understanding and utilizing this genetic diversity is essential for the development of robust and high-yield sweet potato cultivars through molecular breeding. By leveraging these recent insights into the genetics and genomics of sweet potato, researchers can develop more effective molecular breeding strategies to enhance yield and other desirable traits in this important crop. 3 Techniques and Tools in Molecular Breeding for Sweet Potato 3.1 Marker-assisted selection (MAS) in sweet potato breeding Marker-assisted selection (MAS) has been a cornerstone in modern plant breeding, enabling the identification and selection of desirable traits with greater precision and efficiency. MAS utilizes molecular markers that are closely linked to target genes, facilitating the selection process. In sweet potato breeding, MAS has been instrumental in mapping and introgressing genes associated with high yield and disease resistance. The development of high-throughput sequencing technologies, such as genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), has further enhanced the efficiency of MAS by allowing the simultaneous discovery and genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the genome (Figure 2) (He et al., 2014; Hasan et al., 2021). This approach has significantly shortened the breeding cycle and increased the accuracy of selecting superior cultivars (Jannink et al., 2010; Tiwari et al., 2022). Figure 2 The figure explains the basic procedure of marker-assisted selection (Adopted from Hasan et al., 2021)
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