International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 64-72 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 68 genomic selection can achieve these genetic gains while maintaining sufficient genetic diversity, which is of decisive significance for ensuring the long-term sustainability of breeding programs. This dual advantage of "efficiency-sustainability" makes GS an indispensable core technology in modern breeding systems. 5 Case Study: Application of Genomic Selection in Breeding Late Blight-Resistant Potato Varieties 5.1 Case background: the threat of late blight to potato yields Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is one of the main threats to global potato production. The disease is characterized by rapid spread and severe damage. Typical symptoms include water-soaked lesions on leaves and the formation of a white mold layer. Chemical control has long been the main means of controlling late blight, but the environmental and health problems it brings have become increasingly prominent. Breeding disease-resistant varieties has become an important way to achieve sustainable prevention and control. However, traditional disease-resistant breeding methods have limitations such as long cycles and low efficiency (Figure 2) (Beketova et al., 2021; Berindean et al., 2024). Figure 2 Symptoms of late blight disease (Adopted from Berindean et al., 2024) Image caption: The typical symptoms of late blight: on the upper side of the leaf, an oily necrotic spot, surrounded by pale green (A); on the underside of the leaf: a white down is observed (B); This white down is the pathogens sporangiophres and sporanges (C); Stem and petioles could also be attacked (D1); Advanced disease is manifested by a blight of the leaves and possibly the whole plant (D2, D3) (Adopted from Berindean et al., 2024) 5.2 Research methods: acquisition and analysis of genomic data This study focused on late blight resistance breeding and constructed a genomic selection technology path suitable for potatoes. First, high-throughput genotyping technology was used to obtain whole-genome SNP marker information, and combined with phenotypic evaluation data accumulated over the years to construct a genomic prediction model for resistance traits. Through GWAS analysis, several key genetic loci closely related to late blight resistance were identified (Enciso-Rodríguez et al., 2018). In addition, the study integrated modern genomics tools such as genotyping and sequencing to construct a high-precision prediction system for tetraploid potatoes (Caruana et al., 2019; Sood et al., 2023), providing a solid technical foundation for breeding selection of complex traits. 5.3 Research outcomes: development and promotion of late blight-resistant varieties The application of genomic selection technology has greatly improved the speed and efficiency of potato disease resistance breeding. With the help of marker-assisted selection, resistance genes can be accurately identified and tracked in the early stages of breeding, significantly streamlining the screening process. At the same time, the introduction of gene editing technology provides a feasible path for discovering and creating new disease-resistant
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