Liang Zhang , Honghu Ji , Meiqiao Jiang , Ziyu Zhong , Linrun Cheng

Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Jinhua Key Laboratory of Innovative Utilization of Special Grain Crops Resources in Central Zhejiang Province 321017, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 1   doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0003
Received: 06 Nov., 2024    Accepted: 18 Jan., 2025    Published: 06 Feb., 2025

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.

Zhang L., Ji H.H., Jiang M.Q., Zhong Z.Y., and Chen L.R., 2025, Recent insights into molecular breeding for high yield sweet potato cultivars, Bioscience Methods, 16(1): 23-32 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2025.16.0003)

Sweet potato is a vital staple crop with significant potential to address global food security challenges. Developing high-yield cultivars is essential to enhance productivity and meet increasing demand, and molecular breeding has emerged as a promising approach for achieving these goals. This study explores recent advancements in molecular breeding techniques applied to sweet potato, with a focus on understanding its unique genomic architecture and genetic diversity. Key methods such as marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), CRISPR-based gene editing, and RNA interference (RNAi) are examined for their role in improving yield-related traits, photosynthetic efficiency, storage root development, and stress tolerance. A case study on breeding programs in China highlights successful cultivar development and lessons for global breeding efforts. This study also addresses challenges in molecular breeding, including polyploidy complexities and limitations in genomic tools, while outlining future opportunities such as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and international collaborations. This study emphasizes the need for targeted breeding strategies and policy support to ensure the development of resilient, high-yield cultivars capable of contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture.

Sweet potato; Molecular breeding; CRISPR; Marker-assisted selection; Yield improvement