Journal of Tea Science Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 285-292 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/jtsr 288 Figure 2 Cultivation of wild tea trees (Adopted from Zhao et al., 2022) Image caption: Images were taken from the annual plants propagated in the insert (Adopted from Zhao et al., 2022) 4.2 Application of molecular breeding techniques in stress resistance improvement Molecular breeding techniques, including the use of molecular markers and multi-omics approaches, have significantly advanced the development of stress-resistant tea varieties. These techniques allow for the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and genes associated with stress tolerance, facilitating targeted breeding efforts. Transcriptomic analyses have identified differentially expressed genes under stress conditions, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of stress responses in tea plants. These advancements enable the development of tea varieties with enhanced resistance to abiotic stresses such as drought and cold (Kapazoglou et al., 2023). 4.3 Potential of gene editing technology Gene editing technology holds great potential for enhancing stress resistance and improving desirable traits in tea plants. With precise genome modifications enabled by CRISPR-Cas9 and other advanced gene-editing tools, researchers can target key stress-responsive genes to develop tea varieties with improved drought, cold, and salinity tolerance. For example, editing genes involved in ABA and jasmonic acid signaling pathways, such as CsABF and CsMYB, could enhance adaptive responses to environmental stresses. Additionally, modifications in antioxidant-related genes like SOD may improve oxidative stress tolerance, reducing cellular damage under adverse conditions. Beyond stress resistance, gene editing can also optimize traits such as yield, flavor, and disease resistance by fine-tuning metabolic pathways. As research advances, the integration of gene editing with traditional breeding and genomic selection will accelerate the development of resilient and high-quality tea cultivars, contributing to sustainable tea production in the face of climate change (Mukhopadhyay et al., 2015). 4.4 Successful cases of breeding stress-resistant tea varieties using wild tea plants The rich genetic diversity of wild tea plants provides valuable genetic resources for breeding stress-resistant tea cultivars. Through in-depth investigation and research on wild tea resources, breeding experts have successfully developed multiple high-quality, high-yield, and stress-resistant tea cultivars. As a wild relative of cultivated tea plants, Camellia taliensis is considered a valuable genetic resource due to its strong tolerance to abiotic stress.
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