Bioscience Methods 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 60-69 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 67 aimed at improving crop traits such as tuber starch content and growth period. Similarly, sweet potato has been identified as a critical crop for food security, especially under conditions of global climate change. The physiological and biochemical adaptations of sweet potato to drought stress are essential for developing drought-tolerant varieties. Additionally, the genetic divergence among sweet potato genotypes for silage production underscores the potential for selecting and breeding high-performance varieties. To maximize the benefits of genetic resource utilization in sweet potato breeding, several policy and research recommendations are proposed. Enhanced funding for genetic research is essential, with increased investment needed to develop high-yielding, stress-tolerant sweet potato varieties. This includes support for both traditional breeding methods and modern biotechnological approaches. The development of genomic resources is also critical. Establishing comprehensive genomic databases for sweet potato, including genome sequencing, trait mapping, and the use of genomics-assisted breeding techniques, can facilitate more efficient breeding programs. Climate-resilient breeding programs should be a priority, focusing on the development of sweet potato varieties with superior drought tolerance and other stress resistance traits. These efforts are crucial for sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change. Finally, collaboration and knowledge sharing among research institutions, government agencies, and farmers are essential. This collaborative approach can enhance the exchange of knowledge and resources, thereby accelerating the development and adoption of improved sweet potato varieties. The role of genetic resource utilization in sustainable agriculture cannot be overstated. By leveraging genetic diversity and advanced breeding techniques, it is possible to develop sweet potato varieties that are not only high-yielding but also resilient to environmental stresses. This is particularly important in the context of global climate change, where the demand for food security and sustainable agricultural practices is ever-increasing. The integration of traditional breeding methods with modern genomic technologies offers a promising pathway to achieve these goals. Ultimately, the successful utilization of genetic resources in sweet potato breeding will contribute significantly to sustainable agriculture and food security in China and beyond. Acknowledgments We express our heartfelt gratitude to the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments on the manuscript. Funding This reserach received funding from the Ningbo Public Welfare Research Technology Project (2024S014). Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Ahmed S., Ru W., Cheng L., Bian X., Zhang L., Jin L., and Bao J., 2019, Genetic diversity and stability in starch physicochemical property traits of potato breeding lines, Food Chemistry, 290: 201-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.03.130 Arisanti C., Wirasuta I., Musfiroh I., Ikram E., and Muchtaridi M., 2023, Mechanism of anti-diabetic activity from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas): a systematic review, Foods, 12(14): 2810. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142810 Bethke P., Halterman D., and Jansky S., 2017, Are we getting better at using wild potato species in light of new tools, Crop Science, 57(3): 1241-1258. https://doi.org/10.2135/CROPSCI2016.10.0889 Bradshaw J., 2017, Plant breeding: past, present and future, Euphytica, 213: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-016-1815-y Cooper M., and Messina C., 2022, Breeding crops for drought-affected environments and improved climate resilience, The Plant Cell, 35(1): 162-186. https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koac321 Diepenbrock C., and Gore M., 2015, Closing the divide between human nutrition and plant breeding, Crop Science, 55(4): 1437-1448. https://doi.org/10.2135/CROPSCI2014.08.0555 Ebert A., Engels J., Schafleitner R., Hintum T., and Mwila G., 2023, Critical review of the increasing complexity of access and benefit-sharing policies of genetic resources for genebank curators and plant breeders–a public and private sector perspective, Plants, 12(16): 2992. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12162992
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