Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 277-285 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 283 can accelerate the development of improved tea varieties (Lubanga et al., 2022). Additionally, fostering collaborations between research institutions, tea producers, and policymakers can facilitate the exchange of knowledge and resources, driving innovation in tea breeding (Mukhopadhyay et al., 2015; Li et al., 2023). By aligning policy and investment with the goals of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation, the tea industry can achieve greater resilience and productivity in the long term. 8 Conclusion Wild tea species play a crucial role in future breeding programs by serving as a rich reservoir of genetic diversity that can be harnessed to improve cultivated tea varieties. These wild relatives, such as Camellia taliensis, offer valuable traits like abiotic tolerance and biotic resistance, which are essential for enhancing the genetic improvement of tea trees. The genetic diversity found in wild tea species provides a broader genetic base that can be utilized to develop new cultivars with improved yield, quality, and stress resistance. The integration of wild genetic resources into breeding programs can lead to the discovery of novel alleles and genes that are pivotal for the biosynthesis of important compounds, such as flavonoids, which contribute to tea quality and health benefits. Preserving wild genetic resources is of paramount importance for the sustainability and advancement of tea breeding programs. The genetic information and diversity present in wild tea species are irreplaceable assets that can help mitigate the challenges posed by climate change, pests, and diseases. Conservation of these genetic resources ensures that future breeding efforts have access to a wide array of genetic material, which is crucial for developing resilient and high-quality tea cultivars. As the demand for tea continues to grow globally, maintaining the genetic diversity of wild tea species will be essential for meeting future agricultural and consumer needs, thereby securing the economic and cultural significance of tea worldwide. Acknowledgments The authors sincerely thank Dr. Qian for carefully reviewing the initial draft of the manuscript and providing detailed revision suggestions. The authors also extend deep gratitude to the two anonymous peer reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions on the manuscript of this study. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Reference Chen X., Luo X., Fan M., Zeng W., Yang C., Wu J., Zhao C., Zhang Y., and Zhao P., 2019, Endophytic fungi from the branches of Camellia taliensis (W.W. Smith) Melchior, a widely distributed wild tea plant, World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 35: 113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-019-2686-x PMid:31289918 Huang D.D., 2024, Molecular mechanisms of tea plant resistance to major pathogens, Molecular Pathogens, 15(1): 30-39. https://doi.org/10.5376/mp.2024.15.0004 PMid:39599501 Karunarathna K., Mewan K., Weerasena O., Perera S., and Edirisinghe E., 2020, A functional molecular marker for detecting blister blight disease resistance in tea (Camellia sinensis L.), Plant Cell Reports, 40: 351-359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-020-02637-6 PMid:33247387 Li H., Song K., Zhang X., Wang D., Dong S., Liu Y., and Yang L., 2023, Application of multi-perspectives in tea breeding and the main directions, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(16): 12643. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612643 PMid:37628823 PMCid:PMC10454712 Liu S., Zhang Q., Guan C., Wu D., Zhou T., and Yu Y., 2021, Transcription factor WRKY14 mediates resistance of tea plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) to blister blight, Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 115: 101667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2021.101667
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzMg==