Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 64-78 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 74 Genomic data have also provided critical insights for the conservation of tea plant genetic resources. Understanding the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of tea plant populations helps in the identification of unique and rare alleles that are important for maintaining genetic diversity. Conservation strategies can be developed to protect these genetic resources, ensuring the long-term sustainability of tea cultivation (Yu et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2020; Xia et al., 2020). Additionally, the identification of genes associated with environmental adaptability can inform conservation efforts in the face of climate change (An et al., 2020). In summary, genomic research on Camellia sinensis has significantly advanced our understanding of its evolutionary history, adaptive traits, and genetic diversity. These insights are crucial for improving tea plant breeding and conservation strategies, ensuring the continued economic and ecological importance of this valuable crop. 6 The Significance of Conservation and Breeding 6.1 Conservation genetics Genetic diversity is fundamental to the survival and adaptability of plant species, including those in the Camellia genus. High genetic diversity within populations allows for greater resilience against environmental changes, diseases, and pests. Conservation genetics focuses on understanding and preserving this diversity to ensure the long-term sustainability of species. The genus Camellia, known for its economic and ecological importance, exhibits significant genetic diversity across its species. This diversity is crucial for the resilience and adaptability of Camellia plants to various environmental stresses. Recent genomic studies have highlighted the extensive genetic polymorphism within the genus, particularly in the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions, which are subject to both concerted and birth-and-death evolution processes (Zhang et al., 2020). To effectively conserve genetic resources of Camellia genus, it is imperative to develop comprehensive conservation strategies. These strategies should include the identification and preservation of genetically diverse populations, as well as the establishment of gene banks and in situ conservation areas. The use of genomic data can greatly enhance these efforts by providing detailed insights into the genetic structure and diversity of Camellia populations (Supple and Shapiro, 2018). Preserving the genetic resources of Camellia is vital for several reasons. It ensures the availability of genetic material for future breeding programs aimed at improving desirable traits such as stress tolerance, disease resistance, and quality of tea and ornamental flowers (Yan et al., 2018; Wu et al., 2022). It helps maintain the ecological balance and biodiversity of the regions where Camellia species are native. And the conservation of genetic resources supports ongoing research efforts to understand the evolutionary history and adaptive mechanisms of Camelliaplants (Zhang et al., 2021; Lin et al., 2022). 6.2 Breeding programs Advancements in genomic technologies have revolutionized breeding programs for Camellia. Genomic-assisted breeding techniques, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS), enable the identification and utilization of specific genetic markers associated with desirable traits. For instance, the development of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from RNA-seq data has provided valuable tools for molecular breeding in Camellia japonicaand other species within the genus (Li et al., 2021). These techniques allow breeders to accelerate the selection process and improve the efficiency of breeding programs by targeting genes related to key economic traits such as flower and fruit development, stress tolerance, and secondary metabolite production (Yan et al., 2018; Wei et al., 2018). The integration of large-scale population and quantitative genetics data further enhances the precision and effectiveness of genomic-assisted breeding (Yan et al., 2018). Genomic research have significantly contributed to the enhancement of desirable traits in Camellia breeding programs. For example, the identification of gene families involved in the biosynthesis of key tea metabolites, such as catechins and theanine, has provided valuable targets for improving tea quality (Wei et al., 2018).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==