Genomics and Applied Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 320-332 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/gab 328 2018). The lack of comprehensive genomic information for many Cactaceae species further hampers the ability to effectively target specific genes for improvement, leading to limitations in both genetic gains and breeding efficiency (Tamayo-Ordoñez et al., 2023). Figure 4 Genes involved in the betalain biosynthesis cascade (Adopted from Chen et al., 2021) Image caption: A The development of ‘Guanhuabai’ (GHB) and ‘Guanhuahong’ (GHH) pitaya pulp. B The betacyanin and betaxanthin contents of ‘GHB’ and ‘GHH’ pitaya pulp. C The expression profiles of genes related to betalain biosynthesis according to the RNA-Seq datasets of ‘GHB’ and ‘GHH’ pitaya pulp. The gene IDs are in brackets. Spon, spontaneous. Bar= 2 cm (Adopted from Chen et al., 2021) 7.2 Potential for biotechnology integration The integration of biotechnological tools in Cactaceae breeding holds considerable potential for overcoming many of the limitations of traditional breeding techniques. Biotechnology can facilitate the development of desirable traits, such as enhanced disease resistance, improved water-use efficiency, and faster growth rates (Oltehua-Lopez et al., 2023). Techniques such as marker-assisted selection (MAS), tissue culture, and genetic transformation can significantly accelerate the breeding process and improve the precision of trait selection. Tissue culture techniques, for instance, can help bypass the long reproductive cycles by enabling rapid clonal propagation of elite genotypes. Advances in genomic sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology offer new avenues for precise manipulation of key genes involved in stress tolerance, growth, and fruit quality (Liu et al., 2021). However, the application of biotechnology to Cactaceae breeding remains in its nascent stages, and more research is required to fully harness these tools for improving breeding outcomes. 7.3 Sustainable breeding approaches for climate change resilience In the face of climate change, breeding for resilience is becoming an increasingly important focus for Cactaceae improvement. Cacti are naturally adapted to arid environments, but the growing unpredictability of climatic conditions necessitates the development of more robust and adaptive varieties. Sustainable breeding approaches that leverage both traditional knowledge and modern science are essential to achieve this goal (Hultine et al.,
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