Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 232-243 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 232 Research Report Open Access Harnessing Genetic Diversity in Peanut for Enhanced Crop Performance Demin Yu, Shengyu Chen Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: shengyu.chen@cuixi.org Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2024 Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0023 Received: 06 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 07 Oct., 2024 Published: 18 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Yu and Chen, 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: Yu D.M., and Chen S.Y., 2024, Harnessing genetic diversity in peanut for enhanced crop performance, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 15(5): 232-243 (10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0023) Abstract Peanuts are a critical global crop, providing essential nutrients and serving as a key agricultural commodity. However, peanut cultivation faces numerous challenges, including susceptibility to drought, pests, diseases, and declining genetic diversity. To address these issues, genetic improvement of peanuts is vital. This study reviews the current status of genetic diversity in peanuts, emphasizing the importance of wild relatives, landraces, and advanced breeding lines as sources of valuable genetic variation. We also explore peanut germplasm collections, phenotypic and molecular characterization methods, and pre-breeding strategies to harness genetic resources. Additionally, we highlight breeding efforts for key traits, including yield, drought tolerance, disease resistance, and nutritional quality. The utilization of modern breeding tools, such as marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, is discussed in the context of accelerating genetic gains. A case study on breeding for aflatoxin resistance in peanuts demonstrates successful genetic interventions and future prospects. The integration of genomics, transcriptomics, and high-throughput technologies is critical for further advancing peanut breeding. Ultimately, developing climate-resilient and sustainably cultivated peanut varieties requires enhanced genetic diversity, strong policy support, and the involvement of key stakeholders. Keywords Peanut breeding; Genetic diversity; Drought tolerance; Aflatoxin resistance; CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing 1 Introduction Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a vital crop globally, serving as a significant source of edible oil and protein. It is cultivated extensively in regions such as Asia, Africa, and America, contributing to both agricultural economies and food security (Chen et al., 2019). Peanuts are not only economically important but also offer multiple health benefits due to their rich content of bioactive components like phenolics, flavonoids, polyphenols, and resveratrol. Additionally, peanuts play a crucial role in improving soil quality through biological nitrogen fixation, making them an essential crop in sustainable agricultural practices (Akram et al., 2018). Despite its importance, peanut cultivation faces several challenges. The crop is susceptible to various abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, and heat stress, which can significantly impact yield and quality. Moreover, the genetic bottlenecks resulting from its polyploid nature limit the genetic diversity available for breeding programs, making it difficult to develop stress-tolerant and high-yielding varieties (Burow et al., 2001). The limited molecular variations recorded in cultivated peanuts further complicate efforts to enhance genetic diversity and improve crop performance (Krishna et al., 2004). To address these challenges, there is a pressing need for genetic improvement in peanuts. Advances in genomic research have provided valuable insights into the complex genome architecture of peanuts, identifying key genes involved in oil metabolism and stress responses (Chen et al., 2019; Song et al., 2022). The identification and utilization of genetic loci, such as AhVt1, which controls variegated testa color, can aid in marker-assisted selection and the development of new peanut varieties with desirable traits (Chen et al., 2023). Additionally, the introduction of variability from wild species into cultivated peanuts through synthetic amphidiploids has shown promise in broadening the gene pool and enhancing genetic diversity (Burow et al., 2001). This study reviews the current status of genetic diversity in cultivated peanuts and identifies key genetic loci associated with desirable traits. It evaluates the potential of genomic tools and marker-assisted selection in peanut breeding programs, emphasizing their role in accelerating genetic improvement. The study focuses on the role of
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