Plant Gene and Trait 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 206-214 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 210 5.3 Disease and pest resistance for sustainable shoot production Pests and diseases are the main problems affecting the yield and quality of bamboo shoots. Molecular breeding and genetic engineering have been employed to screen and validate stress-resistant genes. For instance, studies have found that the CCCH zinc finger protein gene PeC3H74 can significantly enhance drought resistance and salt tolerance in transgenic plants, indicating its great potential in stress-resistant breeding (Lan et al., 2023a). Meanwhile, the establishment of molecular markers and gene editing platforms has also provided technical support for the rapid acquisition of excellent bamboo shoot varieties resistant to diseases and pests (Gao, 2021; Huang et al., 2022a). 6 Breeding Strategies for Timber Production 6.1 Improving culm strength, density, and mechanical properties Enhancing the strength and mechanical properties of Phyllostachys edulis culms is one of the main goals of timber breeding. Studies have shown that through whole-genome resequencing and association study, some candidate genes related to mechanical traits such as tensile strength have been identified, laying the foundation for molecular marker-assisted selection and precision breeding (Del Giudice et al., 2022). Meanwhile, gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 can directly act on the key genes that control cell wall synthesis and lignin accumulation, thereby improving mechanical properties (Gao, 2021; Huang et al., 2022a). These methods have broken through the limitations of long breeding cycles and low efficiency in traditional breeding, and are expected to significantly enhance the utilization value of bamboo in terms of structure. 6.2 Breeding for uniformity in culm size and quality Phyllostachys edulis itself has significant morphological differences, resulting in inconsistent culm sizes and qualities, which has an impact on industrial utilization. Studies have found that signal transduction and metabolic pathways during bamboo culms growth are related to this difference, among which genes of cell division and hormone signals (such as cytokinin) play an important role (Lan et al., 2020). By using molecular markers, gene editing and clonal selection, superior genotypes can be screened out and trait stability can be maintained, thereby improving the consistency of culms (Gao, 2021). In addition, methods such as radiation mutagenesis can also create new genetic variations and increase the diversity of breeding materials. 6.3 Resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses affecting timber The production of Phyllostachys edulis culms is also often affected by stresses such as pests and diseases, drought and saline-alkali conditions. In recent years, researchers have discovered some genes related to stress resistance, such as PeC3H74 and PeLEA14. These genes can significantly improve the drought resistance and salt tolerance of plants after overexpression (Huang et al., 2022b; Lan et al., 2023a). Transcriptome and functional genomics studies also provide abundant candidate gene resources (Huang et al., 2022b). By regulating these genes through genetic engineering methods, new timber-type Phyllostachys edulis varieties with better stress resistance and more stable yield can be cultivated (Huang et al., 2022a; Huang et al., 2022b; Lan et al., 2023a). 7 Case Study: Breeding and Utilization of P. edulis 7.1 Breeding program background and objectives Phyllostachys edulis is one of the most important uniaxial bamboo species in the world and is mainly used in the production of bamboo shoots and bamboo timbers. It has long relied on asexual reproduction and has a long flowering cycle, so its genetic diversity is low. These characteristics have led to slow progress in traditional breeding, making it difficult to meet the industry’s demand for high-yield, high-quality and stress-resistant new varieties. In recent years, research has focused on increasing the yield and quality of bamboo shoots, enhancing the strength and toughness of bamboo, as well as improving their stress resistance and adaptability. Meanwhile, new technologies such as molecular assisted breeding and gene editing have gradually been applied to the research of Phyllostachys edulis (Isagi et al., 2015; Del Giudice et al., 2022; Huang et al., 2022a; Li et al., 2025). 7.2 Key methodologies applied (clonal selection, molecular tools, field trials) In actual breeding, clonal selection and asexual reproduction remain the main methods. Since seed propagation is rare, researchers often select outstanding variants (such as Phyllostachys edulis ‘Pachyloen’) through field
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