Plant Gene and Traits 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 207-219 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 207 Review Article Open Access Genomic Resources and Their Role inCamellia Breeding Strategies Jie Huang, Minghui Zhao, Xiazhen Huang Tropical Medicinal Plant Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: xiazhen.huang@hitar.org Plant Gene and Trait, 2024, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/pgt.2024.15.0021 Received: 20 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 23 Aug., 2024 Published: 31 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Huang 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: Huang J., Zhao M.H., and Huang X.Z., 2024, Genomic resources and their role in Camellia breeding strategies, Plant Gene and Trait, 15(4): 207-219 (doi: 10.5376/pgt.2024.15.0021) Abstract This study explores genomic resources that can be used for breeding strategies in tea genus, focusing on their importance in improving traits such as quality, yield, and stress resistance, and assesses the state of current genomic tools, including sequencing programs and molecular markers, to facilitate targeted breeding efforts. The results show that the integration of genomic resources has improved selection efficiency and resulted in the development of superior varieties, especially in Camellia sinensis and Camellia oleifera, and the results highlight the potential of genomic tools to accelerate breeding procedures and address challenges in tea cultivation. Efficient use of genomic resources is essential to advance tea breeding, which will ultimately contribute to sustainable production practices and improved economic efficiency. Keywords Genomic resources; Camelliabreeding; Molecular markers; Trait enhancement; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction The genus Camellia encompasses approximately 200 species, many of which hold substantial economic, ornamental, and cultural value (Liu, 2024). Notably, Camellia sinensis is the primary source of tea, one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, contributing significantly to the economies of many countries (Wu et al., 2022; Gao et al., 2023). Additionally, several Camellia species are cultivated for their ornamental flowers, which are highly prized in horticulture for their aesthetic appeal (Gao et al., 2023). Furthermore, Camellia oleifera and other oil-tea camellias are vital for producing high-quality edible oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and beneficial secondary metabolites, making them important for both culinary and health-related applications (Shen et al., 2022; Chen et al., 2023). Breeding Camellia species presents several challenges. One of the primary difficulties is the long breeding cycle, which can span several years due to the perennial nature of these plants (Yan et al., 2018). Additionally, Camellia species often face environmental stresses such as drought, cold, and nutrient deficiencies, which can adversely affect their growth and productivity (Dong et al., 2017; Ye et al., 2023). Improving resistance to these stresses is crucial for ensuring stable yields and quality. Another significant challenge is enhancing the quality traits of Camellia products, such as the flavor and aroma of tea or the oil content and composition in oil-tea camellias (Xia et al., 2020; Wu et al., 2022). These quality improvements require a deep understanding of the genetic and molecular bases of these traits, which can be complex and multifaceted. This study will provide a comprehensive review of genomic databases and tools currently used for tea research, analyze the impact on genetic variation and its function, and use these genomic insights to develop new breeding strategies by integrating the latest advances in genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data. Seek to identify key genetic factors that influence economically important traits such as stress resistance, yield, and quality. The aim of this study was to accelerate the breeding process of tea and improve the economic and agronomic performance of tea varieties. 2Camellia Species Diversity and Breeding Goals 2.1 Overview of major Camellia species The genus Camellia encompasses over 200 species, many of which hold significant economic, ornamental, and cultural value. Among these, Camellia sinensis and Camellia oleifera are particularly noteworthy. Camellia
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