Genomics and Applied Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 320-332 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/gab 320 Research Insight Open Access Advances in Genomic Research and Genetic Improvement of Cactaceae Plants Tianhui Shi 1,3*, JunguiXu2*, YuxinHe 1,3, Zizhong Wang2, ZhenLiu 1 1 Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya, 572024, Hainan, China 2 Hainan Huitian Agriculture Co., Ltd., Sanya, 572024, Hainan, China 3 College of Agricultural & Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: zhenliu2012@zju.edu.cn *These authors contributed equally to this work Genomics and Applied Biology, 2024, Vol.15, No.6 doi: 10.5376/gab.2024.15.0034 Received: 07 Nov., 2024 Accepted: 11 Dec., 2024 Published: 24 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Shi et al., 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: Shi T.H., Xu J.G., He Y.X., Wang Z.Z., and Liu Z., 2024, Advances in genomic research and genetic improvement of cactaceae plants, Genomics and Applied Biology, 15(6): 320-332 (doi: 10.5376/gab.2024.15.0034) Abstract Cactaceae plants have garnered widespread attention due to their unique Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathway and their adaptability to arid environments. This study explores the advancements in genomic research and genetic improvement of Cactaceae, focusing on the integration of traditional breeding and modern molecular breeding techniques. Traditional methods such as selective breeding and hybrid breeding have achieved significant progress in enhancing drought resistance and fruit quality but face challenges such as long breeding cycles and high genetic complexity. Modern techniques, including molecular markers, functional genomics, and gene editing, provide new pathways for more efficient genetic improvement. The study also highlights that the construction of high-density genetic maps and the analysis of gene regulatory networks have significantly facilitated the precise localization of genes associated with target traits. This study underscores that integrating traditional and modern technologies can accelerate the genetic improvement of Cactaceae, supporting sustainable agriculture and ecosystem stability. Keywords Cactaceae; Genomic research; Genetic improvement; Breeding techniques; Molecular markers; Functional genomics 1 Introduction The Cactaceae family is a significant branch of succulent plants, originating approximately 35 million years ago during the Eocene-Oligocene period (Arakaki et al., 2011). Its unique Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathway enables Cactaceae plants to absorb carbon dioxide at night and close stomata during the day to reduce water loss, thereby improving water use efficiency and adapting to arid environments (Guerrero et al., 2018). The Cactaceae family is the largest family of succulent plants, comprising 140 genera and over 2 000 species. It is primarily distributed in the Americas, with the highest species richness found in Mexico (Horibe, 2021). Some members of the Cactaceae family can also be found in parts of Asia and Africa. In recent years, due to their ornamental value, nutritional properties, and medicinal potential, Cactaceae plants have gained widespread attention (Abouseadaa et al., 2020). For instance, pitaya (or Pitahaya) is highly valued for being rich in plant proteins, anthocyanins, vitamins, and dietary fiber; the tender stems of Nopal have been used for reducing blood glucose and cholesterol (Angulo-Bejarano et al., 2019; Holanda et al., 2021). In addition, these plants have been utilized in traditional medicine to treat indigestion, skin infections, and other ailments. However, threats such as habitat destruction, illegal collection, and climate change have put approximately 31% of Cactaceae species at risk of extinction (Gonzaga et al., 2018). To address the challenges posed by environmental stress and enhance the value of Cactaceae in various applications, genetic improvement is crucial. Traditional breeding methods, such as selective breeding and hybrid breeding, have been used to enhance certain traits, such as fruit yield, drought tolerance, and disease resistance (Paliwal et al., 2021). However, the inherent limitations of these methods necessitate the integration of modern breeding technologies. Advances in molecular genetics offer new opportunities for accelerating breeding efforts and achieving more precise genetic improvement (Cattivelli et al., 2008; Wan et al., 2021). Modern gene-targeting marker technologies, such as Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) polymorphism and Conserved DNA-Derived Polymorphism (CDDP), have proven effective in assessing genetic relationships and variations among species
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