Genomics and Applied Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 307-319 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/gab 307 Review and Progress Open Access Accelerating Yam Breeding Cycles with Genomic Selection WenhuiYu 1, Quantong Cheng2 1 Quzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Quzhou, 324000, Zhejiang, China 2 Kaihua County Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Kaihua, 324300, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: 565326696@qq.com Genomics and Applied Biology, 2024, Vol.15, No.6 doi: 10.5376/gab.2024.15.0033 Received: 22 Oct., 2024 Accepted: 28 Nov., 2024 Published: 13 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Yu and Cheng, 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: Yu W.H., and Cheng Q.T., 2024, Accelerating yam breeding cycles with genomic selection, Genomics and Applied Biology, 15(6): 307-319 (doi: 10.5376/gab.2024.15.0033) Abstract This study evaluates the potential of genomic selection (GS) in yam breeding, particularly its advantages in shortening breeding cycles and enhancing the selection efficiency of key agronomic traits. Traditional yam breeding is constrained by long generation times and complex genetic structures. By utilizing genomic data, GS can significantly accelerate generation turnover and increase genetic gain. This study discusses the role of integrating GS with speed breeding in yam breeding, as well as the advantages of GS in managing the complexity of genotype-by-environment (GxE) interactions. In addition, the development and optimization of genomic resources and their potential applications in yam breeding are explored. The application of GS not only improves breeding efficiency but also has a positive impact on the quality and productivity of yam varieties, providing new approaches to enhance global food security. Keywords Yam breeding; Genomic selection (GS); Speed breeding; Genetic gain; Genotype-by-environment interaction (GxE) 1 Introduction Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is an essential staple food crop for millions of people, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. It serves as a major source of carbohydrates and plays a vital role in the food security and economic stability of many developing countries. However, yam breeding faces significant challenges that hinder the development of improved cultivars. These challenges include the long growth cycle of yams, the genetic complexity of the crop, and the susceptibility to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Breeding programs, therefore, require innovative strategies to overcome these obstacles and meet the growing demands for more resilient, higher-yielding varieties (Crossa et al., 2017; Cappetta et al., 2020). One of the main limitations in yam breeding is the extended duration of the breeding cycle. Conventional breeding methods often require multiple years to achieve meaningful genetic gains due to the long vegetative and reproductive phases of the crop (Lin et al., 2016). This slow pace delays the release of new cultivars that can respond to emerging challenges such as climate change, pests, and diseases. Thus, accelerating the breeding cycle is essential to enhance productivity and sustainability in yam cultivation (Asfaw et al., 2020). Genomic Selection (GS) has emerged as a promising approach that can transform breeding programs by substantially reducing the time needed for cultivar development. Unlike traditional marker-assisted selection, which relies on identifying specific genetic markers associated with desirable traits, GS leverages genome-wide marker data to predict the breeding values of individuals. This method enables breeders to make more informed and faster selection decisions, thereby shortening the breeding cycle and enhancing genetic gain per unit of time. The integration of GS in yam breeding holds the potential to revolutionize the process, making it more efficient and responsive to the needs of both farmers and consumers. This study explores the challenges faced in yam breeding, the necessity of accelerating breeding cycles, and the transformative role that GS could play in addressing these challenges to drive the development of superior yam varieties. 2 Application of Genomic Selection in Yam Breeding Genomic selection (GS) has emerged as a revolutionary tool for accelerating breeding cycles in crops, including yam. By predicting the genetic potential of candidate plants using genome-wide markers, GS enables breeders to
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