Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 285-292 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 285 Case Studies Open Access Utilizing Wild Tea Species for Stress-Resistant Varieties Case Studies JieZhang1 , ChunyuLi 2 1 Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang Colloge of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China 2 Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: jie.zhang@jicat.org Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/jtsr.2024.14.0026 Received: 15 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 20 Sep., 2024 Published: 08 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhang and Li, 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 J., and Li C.Y., 2024, Utilizing wild tea species for stress-resistant varieties case studies, Journal of Tea Science Research, 14(5): 285-292 (doi: 10.5376/jtsr.2024.14.0026) Abstract The stress resistance of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) is crucial for their growth, yield, and quality, as environmental stresses such as drought, low temperatures, high salinity, and pests can severely impact tea production. Wild tea germplasm resources exhibit rich genetic diversity and are regarded as an important genetic reservoir for stress-resistant traits. This study systematically summarizes the genetic basis of stress resistance in tea plants, with a particular focus on key stress-responsive genes, molecular signaling pathways, and their regulatory mechanisms. It also explores the stress resistance traits and genetic diversity of wild tea plants, analyzing their ecological distribution and adaptive characteristics. Regarding stress-resistant tea breeding, this study reviews traditional breeding methods, molecular breeding techniques, and gene editing applications, while also presenting successful cases of breeding stress-resistant varieties using wild tea resources. Despite significant progress in improving stress resistance, challenges remain in the conservation and utilization of wild germplasm resources, as well as in the complex polygenic inheritance of stress resistance traits. This study further examines the prospects of emerging technologies such as genomic selection, transcriptomics, and artificial intelligence in tea breeding. Based on an analysis of current research challenges, future directions for tea breeding are proposed, emphasizing the rational utilization of wild tea germplasm resources to enhance the stress resistance and production stability of cultivated tea plants, enabling them to better adapt to changing environmental conditions. Keywords Tea plant (Camellia sinensis); Stress resistance; Wild germplasm; Genetic diversity; Molecular breeding 1 Introduction Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) are highly sensitive to environmental stresses, including drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and pests, which significantly impact yield and quality. Drought reduces leaf water potential, salinity disrupts nutrient uptake, and cold stress damages buds and leaves, affecting seasonal productivity. Biotic stress, such as disease outbreaks, also leads to economic losses (Dong et al., 2017). Given the increasing challenges posed by climate change, improving stress resistance in tea plants is essential for maintaining stable production and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the tea industry. Wild tea species serve as valuable reservoirs of genetic diversity, harboring traits that enhance stress tolerance. Their adaptation to diverse environments has led to the evolution of resistance to drought, cold, and diseases. Integrating wild germplasm into breeding programs introduces beneficial alleles, broadening the genetic base of cultivated tea varieties (Wang et al., 2022; Wang et al., 2024). Zhang et al. (2015) have identified some wild tea trees with strong abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, showing great potential in cultivating highly resistant tea tree varieties. However, the conservation and efficient utilization of wild tea tree germplasm resources remains a key challenge in tea tree breeding (Chen et al., 2024). This study explores the genetic foundation of stress resistance in tea plants, emphasizing key genes and regulatory mechanisms. It examines the stress resistance traits of wild tea species and their potential contributions to breeding programs. Additionally, it evaluates both traditional and modern breeding approaches, including molecular techniques and gene editing, while highlighting challenges in wild germplasm conservation and genetic enhancement. Finally, the study discusses recent advancements and outlines future directions for the development of stress-resistant tea varieties.
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