Trends in genomics and molecular marker systems for the development of some underutilized crops

Abstract

The term 'underutilized' is often used to characterize the range of plant species whose potential contribution to food security, health, income generation, and environmental services has not yet been fully exploited. To harness unexploited resources, the first step is to prevent them from extinction and to conserve them inand/or ex-situ. To utilize plant species as crops, plants must be collected, conserved, evaluated, and then if necessary manipulated. In this context, significant international efforts have focused on impeding the erosion of genetic diversity. Thousands of new accessions are introduced into germplasm institutes each year. Assessment of their molecular diversity is necessary to eliminate redundant genotypes. Marker systems have been used not only for genotyping to reduce redundancy and develop a core set, but also for a wide variety of other purposes. The use of markers based on single nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variation, and insertions/deletions, as well as genotyping by sequencing, is becoming popular for genetic mapping and analyses of quantitative trait loci. This review discusses current marker systems and genomic analyses of a number of underutilized crops.

Integrating Omics and Gene Editing Tools for Rapid Improvement of Traditional Food Plants for Diversified and Sustainable Food Security

“…The extension of integrative omics tools including whole genome sequencing to decipher the genetic and molecular basis of nutritional and stress-related traits in TFPs is not only crucial but also urgently required [ 31 , 37 , 255 , 262 , 263 , 264 , 265 , 266 , 267 ]. Table 2 presents some TFPs where omics tools have been applied successfully for the comprehensive dissection of important traits.…”

Linking Omics and Gene Editing Tools for Rapid Improvement of Traditional Food Plants for Diversified Foods and Sustainable Food Security

“…Extension of whole-genome sequencing to traditional food plants can help us understand the important genes that are responsible for nutritional and stress tolerance traits [31,133,134]. Recently, genomic sequencing technologies have been applied to some traditional plants and the results obtained are impressive and crucial for further improvement programs [31,63,135,136]. The extension of information obtained using omics tools to the nonmodel traditional food crops may be crucial and provide unique opportunities to improve crops in a relatively shorter period of time [126,137,138].…”

DNA Barcoding for Minor Crops and Food Traceability

“…[8]), and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench [9]). A large number of minor crops were usually produced and consumed locally [10] but, nowadays, the continuous demand by developed countries for identifying new active metabolites for human health and nutrition has increased their diffusion at global level [11][12][13][14]. This phenomenon implies a major risk for species substitution or uncontrolled admixture of manufactured plant products.…”