Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 132-143 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 132 Feature Review Open Access Gene-Driven Future: Breakthroughs and Applications of Marker-Assisted Selection in Tree Breeding Yufen Wang, Lianming Zhang Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: lianming.zhang@cuixi.org Molecular Plant Breeding, 2024, Vol.15, No.3 doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0014 Received: 18 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 27 May, 2024 Published: 28 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang and Zhang, 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: Wang Y.F., and Zhang L.M., 2024, Gene-driven future: breakthroughs and applications of marker-assisted selection in tree breeding, Molecular Plant Breeding, 15(3): 132-143 (doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0014) Abstract Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a transformative method in tree breeding, combining traditional breeding techniques with modern genetic tools to enhance desirable traits such as growth rate, wood quality, and disease resistance. This study systematically examines the progress, applications, challenges, and future prospects of MAS in tree breeding. Technological advancements, including high-throughput sequencing and genomic selection, have significantly improved the precision and efficiency of MAS. Key achievements include the development of tree varieties that are disease-resistant, fast-growing, and produce high-quality wood. However, MAS still faces technical, biological, and socioeconomic challenges that must be addressed. Integrating emerging technologies such as CRISPR gene editing, synthetic biology, big data analysis, and remote sensing holds promise for further advancements. By leveraging these advancements, MAS can make significant contributions to developing high-quality tree varieties, promoting environmental conservation, and improving resource management. Keywords Marker-assisted selection; Genomic selection; Tree breeding; Genomics; Disease resistance; Genetic gain 1 Introduction Tree breeding has long been a cornerstone of forestry, aimed at improving traits such as growth rate, wood quality, and disease resistance. Traditional tree breeding methods involve recurrent cycles of selection, mating, and testing, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the long generation intervals of trees (Grattapaglia et al., 2018). The breeding cycle for forest trees can span decades, making the process of genetic improvement particularly challenging (Lebedev et al., 2020). Genetic improvement in trees plays a critical role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, deforestation, and increasing demand for wood and non-wood forest products. Enhanced tree varieties contribute to sustainable forestry practices, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem services. Improved disease resistance and adaptability to changing environmental conditions help mitigate the impacts of biotic and abiotic stresses, ensuring forest health and productivity. Furthermore, genetic advancements in trees can lead to higher economic returns for forest industries and communities reliant on forestry (Grattapaglia et al., 2018; Lebedev et al., 2020; Degen and Müller, 2023) Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) represents a revolutionary approach in the field of tree breeding. MAS leverages molecular markers—specific DNA sequences associated with particular traits—to accelerate the breeding process. By identifying and selecting for these markers, breeders can predict and enhance desired characteristics in seedlings with greater precision and efficiency compared to conventional methods. This technique reduces the time required to achieve genetic gains and improves the accuracy of selection, thereby expediting the development of superior tree varieties (Grattapaglia et al., 2018; Kumawat et al., 2020; Moriguchi et al., 2020; Degen and Müller, 2023). Despite its potential, the application of MAS in tree breeding has been limited by the complex genetic architecture of many traits and the high cost of genotyping (Grattapaglia et al., 2018; Degen and Müller, 2023). The aim of this study is to explore the breakthroughs and applications of molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) in tree breeding. By synthesizing current research and developments, this study highlights the potential of MAS to revolutionize tree breeding practices. It provides breeders, researchers, and policymakers with
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