International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 263-274 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 263 Feature Review Open Access Breeding High-Yield and Disease-Resistant Carrot Varieties Using Marker-Assisted Selection XueZhang Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: xue.zhang@cuixi.org International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/ijh.2024.14.0028 Received: 01 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 05 Aug., 2024 Published: 27 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhang, 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: Zhang X., 2024, Breeding high-yield and disease-resistant carrot varieties using marker-assisted selection, International Journal of Horticulture, 14(4): 263-274 (doi: 10.5376/ijh.2024.14.0028) Abstract Carrot (Daucus carota) is a vital root vegetable globally, valued for its nutritional content and economic importance. However, carrot production faces challenges from diseases and the need for higher yields. Traditional breeding methods have been effective but are time-consuming and less precise. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) offers a modern approach to accelerate breeding for high-yield and disease-resistant carrot varieties. This study explores the application of marker-assisted selection in breeding high-yield and disease-resistant carrot varieties, highlighting the advancements and key findings in this field. Results reveals that MAS has significantly improved the efficiency of breeding programs by enabling the precise selection of desirable traits at the seedling stage. Additionally, the integration of MAS with other modern techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 has shown promise in developing disease-resistant crops rapidly and efficiently. The sequencing of the carrot genome has further facilitated the identification of key genes for disease resistance and yield improvement, providing a robust foundation for future breeding efforts. The application of marker-assisted selection in carrot breeding holds significant potential for developing high-yield and disease-resistant varieties. This approach not only accelerates the breeding process but also ensures the precise incorporation of desirable traits, thereby enhancing crop productivity and resilience. The integration of MAS with genomic tools and advanced breeding techniques will likely continue to drive innovations in carrot breeding, addressing both current and future agricultural challenges. Keywords Carrot breeding; Marker-assisted selection; Disease resistance; High yield; Genomic tools; CRISPR/Cas9 1 Introduction Carrots (Daucus carota L.) are a globally significant vegetable crop, valued not only for their culinary versatility but also for their rich nutritional profile. As a staple in many diets, the demand for high-quality carrots has surged, driving the need for advancements in carrot breeding. However, the cultivation of carrots faces significant challenges, particularly in terms of yield and susceptibility to various diseases. Traditional breeding methods, while effective to some extent, often fall short in addressing these challenges efficiently. This has led to an increasing focus on modern breeding techniques, which can significantly enhance the development of high-yield, disease-resistant carrot varieties. Carrots are a primary source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the human body, playing a crucial role in eye health and immunity (Ellison et al., 2017). The nutritional quality of carrots, including their carotenoid content, can be influenced by various factors such as cultivar selection, mineral supply, and environmental conditions (Singh et al., 2012; Schmiedeskamp et al., 2022). Additionally, the genetic structure and domestication history of carrots have been studied to understand their evolution and to inform breeding programs (Iorizzo et al., 2013). Given the increasing demand for high-yield and nutritionally superior crops, breeding efforts are essential to enhance the desirable traits in carrots, such as yield, disease resistance, and nutritional content. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a modern breeding technique that utilizes molecular markers to select plants with desirable traits, thereby accelerating the breeding process. MAS allows for the precise identification of genes associated with specific traits, such as disease resistance and high yield, enabling breeders to make informed
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