Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 187-197 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 187 Feature Review Open Access Marker-Assisted Selection inCamelliaBreeding Programs Lian Chen, Chuchu Liu Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang Colloge of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: chuchu.liu@jicat.org Molecular Plant Breeding, 2024, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0019 Received: 30 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 31 Jul., 2024 Published: 15 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Lu and Wang, 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: Chen L., and Liu C.C., 2024, Marker-assisted selection in Camellia breeding programs, Molecular Plant Breeding, 15(4): 187-197 (doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0019) Abstract Marker-assisted selection (MAS) has revolutionized the breeding of Camellia species, offering enhanced precision and efficiency in developing cultivars with desirable traits. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements and applications of MAS in Camellia breeding programs. Key findings highlight the diversity and breeding objectives of Camellia species, the types and development of genetic markers, and the implementation of MAS strategies such as Marker-Assisted Backcrossing (MABC), Marker-Assisted Recurrent Selection (MARS), and Genomic Selection (GS). Advances in genomic technologies, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, have significantly impacted MAS, enabling more accurate and efficient breeding. Unique insights from case studies demonstrate the practical applications and successes of MAS in enhancing disease resistance in Camellia japonica, improving cold tolerance in Camellia oleifera, and advancing tea quality in Camellia sinensis. This study expects to drive the development of superior Camellia varieties, ensuring sustainability and meeting market demands for both ornamental and economic purposes. Keywords Camellia; Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS); Genomic technologies; Genetic markers; Plant breeding 1 Introduction Camellia, a genus encompassing over 250 species, are economically significant, particularly Camellia sinensis, which is the source of tea, one of the most consumed beverages globally (Bali et al., 2013; Tan et al., 2013). Additionally, species like Camellia oleifera are valued for their oil production, which has nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits (Tian et al., 2022; Yan et al., 2022). The economic importance of Camellia species is underscored by their contributions to agriculture, horticulture, and the global economy. Traditional breeding methods in Camellia species face several challenges due to the plants' perennial nature, long generation times, and high heterozygosity (Bali et al., 2013; Karunarathna et al., 2020; Liu, 2024). These factors make conventional breeding time-consuming and labor-intensive, often requiring many years to develop new cultivars with desirable traits (Bali et al., 2013; Malebe et al., 2021; Jiang et al., 2024). Additionally, the genetic complexity and self-incompatibility of Camellia species further complicate breeding efforts (Bali et al., 2013; Yao et al., 2024). Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) offers a promising alternative to traditional breeding methods by utilizing molecular markers to select for desirable traits at the seedling stage, thereby accelerating the breeding process (Dubey et al., 2020; Karunarathna et al., 2020). MAS involves the identification and use of specific DNA markers linked to traits of interest, such as disease resistance, yield, and quality attributes (Karunarathna et al., 2020; Malebe et al., 2021). In Camellia breeding, various types of molecular markers, including Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) and Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) markers, have been developed and utilized for genetic analysis and breeding programs (Sharma et al., 2009; Feng et al., 2020; Tian et al., 2022). This study is to summarize the advancements in MAS techniques and their applications in Camellia breeding, assess the effectiveness of MAS in improving yield, fruit attributes, and other important traits in Camellia species, identify the challenges and limitations associated with the implementation of MAS in Camellia breeding. By synthesizing the existing literature, this study expects to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of
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