Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 100-111 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 109 improve the precision of QTL mapping (Kumar et al., 2023). The MAGIC approach, which can include the development of inter-specific MAGIC populations and MAGIC-like populations in crops where pure lines are not available, is still in its infancy and holds great potential for the straightforward incorporation of MAGIC materials into breeding pipelines (Arrones et al., 2020). As these populations become more widely used and integrated into breeding programs, they are expected to play a major role in developing new generations of dramatically improved cultivars, thereby contributing to global agricultural production and food security (Arrones et al., 2020). In conclusion, the future of plant breeding with MAGIC populations is bright, with potential advancements in technology and methodology, integration with other genomic techniques, and the promise of significant contributions to breeding programs worldwide. 8 Concluding Remarks MAGIC populations have emerged as a significant advancement in plant breeding, offering a suite of benefits that address the need for increased agricultural production and genetic diversity. The key benefits of MAGIC populations include the combination of high levels of genetic recombination, the absence of genetic structure, and the presence of high genetic and phenotypic diversity. These populations are derived from multiple founder parents, resulting in RILs that are genetic mosaics and thus provide a powerful tool for the dissection of complex traits and the selection of elite breeding material. However, the development and utilization of MAGIC populations are not without challenges. The complexity of their genetic constitution requires significant resources for development, including specific software for genetic analysis (Arrones et al., 2020). Additionally, the creation of these populations is a labor-intensive process that can span many years, as seen in the development of a sorghum MAGIC population which took over 15 years (Ongom and Ejeta, 2017). Despite these challenges, the potential for breeding and the continuous growth in the number of MAGIC populations across different crops demonstrate their value in modern plant breeding. MAGIC populations stand at the forefront of a transformative era in plant breeding. Their ability to capture a broad genetic base and facilitate the identification of QTLs and causal variants makes them an indispensable resource in the quest for improved crop varieties. The integration of MAGIC populations with advanced genotyping and phenotyping technologies further enhances their utility, allowing for more precise mapping and the potential for direct releases of new varieties. As the agricultural sector faces the challenges of climate change and a growing global population, MAGIC populations offer a promising avenue for harnessing natural genetic diversity and achieving genetic gains in crop productivity. Their role in breeding programs is likely to expand, as they provide a means to break yield barriers and enhance tolerance to various stresses (Johal et al., 2008). In conclusion, MAGIC populations are poised to play a pivotal role in the future of plant breeding, enabling the development of cultivars that are not only high-yielding but also resilient and nutritionally enhanced. 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. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Prof. X. Fang for his meticulous reading of the manuscript, providing comprehensive academic writing suggestions, and for editing and polishing this article. I am also grateful to the two anonymous peer reviewers for their stringent academic revisions, which have greatly perfected the paper.
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