Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 125-132 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 125 Feature Review Open Access Exploring Genetic Diversity in Chieh-Qua Germplasm Collections Using SNP Markers Jinxiao Yao 1, FangWang 2, QianluGu 1,WentaoHe 1, Decheng Hong1, Mengyan Yu 1, Fei Yang1 1 Zhoushan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhoushan, 316000, Zhejiang, China 2 Tengzhou Agricultural Technology Extension Center, 277599, Shandong, China Corresponding email: yangfeixyz_@126.com Molecular Plant Breeding, 2025, Vol.16, No.2 doi: 10.5376/mpb.2025.16.0013 Received: 01 Mar., 2025 Accepted: 03 Apr., 2025 Published: 11 Apr., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Yao et al., 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: Yao J.X., Wang F., Gu Q.L., He W.T., Hong D.C., Yu M.Y., and Yang F., 2025, Transcriptional regulation and gene networks in rice under water deficit conditions, Molecular Plant Breeding, 16(2): 125-132 (doi: 10.5376/mpb.2025.16.0013) Abstract This study discusses various high-throughput genotyping methods and their applications in the analysis of genetic diversity of cuculops, summarizes the important contributions of SNP-based methods in understanding genetic diversity, and discusses the importance of integrating SNP markers into routine germplasm assessment. The results show that SNP markers can accurately detect genetic differences between germplasm, which not only helps to identify unique alleles and evaluate population structure, but also helps to breed improved varieties and strategically conserve genetic resources to optimize breeding efficiency and genetic resource management. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the application of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in exploring the genetic diversity of germplasm resources in Benincasa hispida var. chieh-qua, highlighting the importance of SNP markers asa powerful tool for assessing genetic variation and supporting breeding programs. Keywords Chieh-Qua; SNP markers; Genetic diversity; Germplasm analysis; Crop improvement 1 Introduction Genetic diversity is a cornerstone for the improvement and sustainability of crop species, including Chieh-Qua (Benincasa hispida var. chieh-qua). It provides the raw material for breeding programs aimed at enhancing desirable traits such as disease resistance, yield, and stress tolerance (Cai et al., 2024). The assessment of genetic diversity within germplasm collections is crucial for the effective conservation and utilization of genetic resources. For instance, studies on common bean and grapevine have demonstrated that understanding genetic diversity can lead to the identification of genotypes with high agronomic potential and adaptability to various environmental conditions (Emanuelli et al., 2013; Nkhata et al., 2020). Similarly, in Chieh-Qua, maintaining a broad genetic base is essential for breeding programs to ensure the crop’s resilience and productivity under changing climatic conditions. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are highly effective molecular markers for assessing genetic diversity due to their abundance and distribution throughout the genome (LaFramboise, 2009; Leaché and Oaks, 2017). SNP markers have been successfully employed in various crops to elucidate genetic relationships, population structure, and genetic variation within germplasm collections. For example, SNP markers have been used to reveal significant genetic diversity in peanut, grape, and cucumber germplasm collections, providing insights into their population structure and aiding in the development of core collections for breeding purposes (Emanuelli et al., 2013; Wang et al., 2018; Hsu et al., 2022). In Chieh-Qua, SNP markers can similarly be utilized to uncover the genetic diversity within its germplasm collections, facilitating the identification of unique genotypes and the development of improved cultivars. This study aims to assess the genetic diversity of wax gourd germplasm resources using high-density SNP markers, identifying and analyzing the genetic population structure and relationships within these resources. This study will support the development of a representative core germplasm collection, facilitating the effective use of genetic information in wax gourd breeding programs to improve key traits such as yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.
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