Plant Gene and Trait 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 33-43 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 40 However, there are still a series of problems that need to be solved when MAS is extended from the laboratory to the field application. The diversity of environmental factors may affect the stability of the association between markers and traits, making the performance of some markers inconsistent in different environments. The implementation of MAS technology requires expensive equipment and a high level of expertise, which is especially a significant economic burden for resource-limited regions (Hasan et al., 2021). Although cassava is rich in genetic diversity, detailed genotype data is still limited, which restricts the development of effective markers. Although some markers associated with important traits have been identified, the development of universally applicable and accurate markers, especially for polygenic controlled traits, remains challenging. 6 Future Prospects and Research Directions 6.1 Scientific and technical challenges Marker-assisted selection (MAS) has shown great potential in cassava breeding, but it still faces a series of scientific and technical challenges in its practical application. The genetic complexity of cassava poses a major scientific challenge, with many important agronomic traits, such as drought resistance, yield and disease resistance, often controlled by multiple genes, complicating accurate selection by a single molecular marker (Ceballos et al., 2015). The association between marker and trait may be unstable due to environmental variation, and the correlation of the same genetic marker may be very different in different growth conditions and varieties, and the limitations of existing genetic resources and genetic information also restrict the discovery and utilization of effective markers. High-throughput genotyping capability in MAS implementation is one of the major challenges. For experimental Settings with limited resources, the equipment and technology required to acquire and process large amounts of genotype data are relatively large, and data management and analysis is also a technical challenge, requiring complex bioinformatics tools and a high level of expertise to effectively process genetic markers, genomic information and phenotypic data (Ceballos et al., 2015). Even when candidate markers are identified, their practical application in the field is subject to rigorous validation, a process that is often time-consuming and expensive, especially when it comes to demonstrating the versatility and reliability of markers in different environments. 6.2 Key areas and potential breakthroughs for future research The application of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in cassava breeding shows great potential, and future research will be carried out around several key areas to achieve more scientific and technological breakthroughs. With the reduction in cost and availability of high-throughput sequencing technologies, cassava MAS studies will be able to more widely employ genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genome selection (GS) techniques, which can reveal the genetic basis controlling complex traits (Ceballos et al., 2015). Accurate phenotyping techniques, especially image-based phenotyping techniques, will enable more accurate measurement of traits and help researchers better understand the relationship between trait expression and environmental factors. In terms of gene function analysis, the future MAS will focus on verifying the function of specific genes through gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas, which will provide direct evidence for function-based breeding. The application of information technology will be particularly critical for MAS research, and the development of advanced bioinformatics tools and databases will help researchers effectively manage and analyze large amounts of genetic and phenotypic data, improving the accuracy and efficiency of cassava breeding (Ceballos et al., 2015). Interdisciplinary and international collaboration will also be an important driver of MAS research in the future. By integrating multidisciplinary knowledge and technology, as well as strengthening the collaboration of research teams on a global scale, the progress and application of MAS technology can be accelerated. However, given the sustainability and social acceptance of the breeding technology, future research will also need to assess the economic feasibility, environmental impact of MAS technology, and establish communication and collaboration with policymakers, farmers and consumers to ensure widespread acceptance and application of the technology.
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