Plant Gene and Trait 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 253-264 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 253 Research Report Open Access Enhancing Disease Resistance and Yield in Welsh Onion through Marker-Assisted Breeding Kaiwen Liang Wenzhong Huang Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: wenzhong.huang@hitar.org Plant Gene and Trait, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/pgt.2024.15.0025 Received: 09 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 11 Oct., 2024 Published: 19 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Liang and Huang, 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: Liang K.W., and Huang W.Z., 2024, Enhancing disease resistance and yield in welsh onion through marker-assisted breeding, Plant Gene and Trait, 15(5): 253-264 (doi: 10.5376/pgt.2024.15.0025) Abstract The production of Welsh onion (Allium fistulosumL.), a vital vegetable crop, is often challenged by various diseases that lead to reduced yield and quality, posing a significant threat to agricultural productivity. Enhancing the yield of Welsh onion to meet market demands is also a key objective in agricultural research. This study comprehensively describes the types of molecular markers, including Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs), Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), showcasing their potential in precision breeding. It further analyzes methods for identifying disease resistance genes, emphasizing the importance of hybridization and selection, field trials, and performance evaluation in the breeding process. Additionally, the study discusses the application of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in improving Welsh onion yield and explores the technical challenges faced in MAS. Through MAS technology, it is possible to accurately locate and introduce genes for yield and disease resistance, enabling the cultivation of Welsh onion varieties resistant to multiple diseases. This approach not only effectively reduces pesticide use and lowers production costs but also ensures the quality and safety of Welsh onions, achieving high-yield goals. Practical application and technological innovation in this area contribute to the advancement of agricultural biotechnology and provide insights and references for the genetic improvement of other crops. Keywords Welsh onion; Marker-assisted selection; Disease resistance; Yield; QTL analysis 1 Introduction Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum) is a perennial plant widely cultivated for its culinary uses and nutritional benefits (Kim et al., 2023). It is a staple in many Asian cuisines and is valued for its mild flavor and versatility. Despite its importance, Welsh onion cultivation faces significant challenges, particularly from diseases that can severely impact yield and quality. Effective breeding strategies are essential to enhance disease resistance and improve overall yield in Welsh onion. Disease resistance is a critical trait in Welsh onion breeding programs. Diseases such as gray mold, caused by Botrytis species, and Fusarium basal rot, caused by Fusarium oxysporum, are major threats to Welsh onion crops. These diseases not only reduce yield but also affect the storage life and marketability of the produce (Kim et al., 2021; Sharma and Cramer, 2023). Traditional methods of disease control, including chemical treatments, are often insufficient and can lead to environmental concerns. Therefore, breeding for disease-resistant varieties is a sustainable and effective approach to mitigate these issues (Poland and Rutkoski, 2016; Scholten et al., 2016). Yield improvement is another primary objective in Welsh onion breeding. High-yielding varieties ensure better productivity and profitability for farmers. However, achieving high yield while maintaining disease resistance is a complex task, as these traits are often controlled by multiple genes (Poland and Rutkoski, 2016). Marker-assisted breeding (MAB) has emerged as a powerful tool to address this challenge by enabling the precise selection of desirable traits (Pathania et al, 2017). This study summarizes the latest advancements in marker-assisted breeding for improving disease resistance and yield in Welsh onions, emphasizing the challenges and limitations associated with these breeding strategies. It provides an in-depth understanding of the future directions and potential applications of genomic tools in Welsh onion breeding programs. By integrating findings from various studies, the research offers a comprehensive
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