Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 23-32 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 28 6 Challenges and Opportunities in Molecular Breeding of Sweet Potato 6.1 Polyploidy and its complexity in molecular breeding Polyploidy presents a significant challenge in the molecular breeding of sweet potato due to the complexity of its genome. Sweet potato is an autopolyploid species, meaning it has multiple sets of chromosomes, which complicates genetic analysis and breeding efforts. The presence of multiple homologous chromosomes can lead to difficulties in SNP identification and validation, as well as in the development of molecular markers (You et al., 2018; Yamakawa et al., 2021; Haque et al., 2023). For instance, the polyploid genome-wide association study (GWAS) has been used to dissect the genetic basis of complex traits such as starch content, but the polyploid nature of sweet potato adds layers of complexity to these analyses. Despite these challenges, advancements in high-throughput genotyping tools, such as SNP arrays, are helping to overcome some of these obstacles by providing more accurate and efficient genotyping methods for polyploid crops. 6.2 Limitations of current genomic tools and datasets The current genomic tools and datasets available for sweet potato breeding are still limited, which hampers the progress of molecular breeding programs. Although sequencing technologies have advanced, the assembly and analysis of polyploid genomes remain challenging. The lack of comprehensive and high-quality reference genomes for sweet potato limits the ability to perform detailed genetic analyses and develop effective molecular markers (Visser et al., 2014). Additionally, the high cost and technical complexity of next-generation sequencing and other genomic tools can be prohibitive for many breeding programs (Slater et al., 2017; Pandey et al., 2023). There is a need for more robust and cost-effective genomic tools that can handle the complexity of polyploid genomes and provide reliable data for breeding purposes. 6.3 Integration of high-throughput phenotyping with molecular breeding Integrating high-throughput phenotyping with molecular breeding offers a promising opportunity to accelerate the development of high-yield sweet potato cultivars. High-throughput phenotyping technologies, such as automated imaging systems and sensor-based field phenotyping, can provide large-scale and precise phenotypic data that are essential for effective selection in breeding programs (Slater et al., 2017). These technologies enable the rapid assessment of multiple traits, including those related to yield, disease resistance, and quality, thereby enhancing the efficiency of breeding efforts. Combining high-throughput phenotyping with genomic selection and marker-assisted selection can significantly reduce the breeding cycle and improve the accuracy of selecting superior cultivars (Sverrisdóttir et al., 2017; Pandey et al., 2022). 6.4 Opportunities for international collaboration and technology sharing International collaboration and technology sharing present significant opportunities to advance the molecular breeding of sweet potato. Collaborative efforts can facilitate the exchange of genetic resources, knowledge, and technologies, thereby overcoming some of the limitations faced by individual breeding programs. For example, sharing high-quality genomic datasets and advanced phenotyping tools can help standardize breeding practices and improve the overall efficiency of sweet potato breeding (Visser et al., 2014; Slater et al., 2017). Additionally, international partnerships can provide access to funding and technical expertise, which are crucial for developing and implementing cutting-edge breeding technologies. By working together, researchers and breeders can accelerate the development of high-yield, resilient sweet potato cultivars that can contribute to global food security (Guo et al., 2023). 7 Future Directions and Recommendations 7.1 Need for deeper understanding of sweet potato functional genomics To advance the molecular breeding of sweet potatoes, a deeper understanding of functional genomics is essential. Functional genomics approaches, such as transcriptomics and allele mining, can identify functional markers (FMs) closely associated with phenotypic traits, thereby increasing selection efficiencies for developing elite cultivars (Salgotra and Stewart, 2020). Additionally, the development of genetic maps and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis can facilitate the identification of key genes involved in desirable traits such as yield, disease resistance, and nutritional content (Kim et al., 2017). The integration of these genomic tools will provide a robust platform for the precise selection of high-yield sweet potato cultivars.
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