International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 83-90 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 87 Figure 2 Model of the potato tuber chemical pathway (Adopted from Kondhare et al., 2021) 6.2 Optimizing environmental management to regulate tuber shape The shape of tubers is not only regulated by genes but also deeply influenced by external conditions. Soil texture, irrigation methods and nutrient supply will all change its growth pattern. In recent years, rapid breeding has been regarded as an effective means. Accelerating growth in a controllable environment and combining it with traditional methods can significantly shorten the selection cycle. Through reasonable environmental regulation, the genetic potential of tubers can be manifested more clearly, thereby helping commercial varieties maintain a more stable shape (Ahmad et al., 2022). 6.3 Potential of gene-editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR) in tuber shape breeding Gene editing tools like CRISPR offer new methods for precisely controlling the shape of potato tubers. Unlike traditional genetic methods, this technique directly alters the target gene without the need to add DNA from other species. This approach reduces regulatory concerns and public worries about genetically modified products. Studies show that CRISPR can improve various potato traits, including tuber shape. Breeders can use this tool to rapidly change key genes, thereby greatly improving the speed and efficiency of breeding (Ćeran et al., 2024). 6.4 Integrated breeding approaches combining genetic and environmental factors Improving the shape of commercial potato tubers usually requires a combination of multiple methods. A good strategy is to combine genetic tools such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and gene editing with better field management. This includes improving the soil, managing water sources and adopting scientific planting methods. The combination of genetic and environmental methods can enhance the accuracy of selection and accelerate the speed of improvement. This complete method helps maintain the stability of the tuber shape and enables the variety to better adapt to different growth conditions, thereby increasing its market value (Huang et al., 2022). 7 Research Challenges and Future Perspectives 7.1 Current technical bottlenecks in tuber shape research The research on tuber shapes is still subject to many technical limitations. Shape measurement remains a challenge. Traditional methods such as manual determination of aspect ratio are not only time-consuming and laborious, but also often ignore secondary growth or slight irregular shapes (Semenenko et al., 2023). In addition, identifying the specific genes that control shape is also quite challenging. Take the Ro gene on chromosome 10 as an example. Precise positioning requires the construction of a high-density genetic map and the long-term collection of a large amount of phenotypic data. Although the combination of genetics and transcriptomics provides important clues, achieving precise localization and gene cloning remains a challenging task.
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