Fang Wang , Yuxu Zhang , Shijun Zhu , Jinbo Zhou , Chengqi Yan

1 Ningbo Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ningbo 315040, China
2 Zhejiang Wanli College, Ningbo 315100, China
Author    Correspondence author
Bioscience Methods, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 6   
Received: 12 Feb., 2025    Accepted: 14 Mar., 2025    Published: 21 Mar., 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.

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a globally significant crop valued for its versatility, nutritional benefits, and resilience. In China, the development of improved sweet potato varieties plays a vital role in addressing food security, economic sustainability, and agricultural productivity. This study provides a comprehensive review of the genetic resources available for sweet potato breeding, including landraces, wild relatives, and modern breeding lines, with a focus on their collection, preservation, and utilization. We further analyze breeding programs in China, highlighting efforts to enhance yield, stress tolerance, and nutritional value through traditional and molecular breeding approaches. A dedicated case study demonstrates the practical application of local genetic resources in a regional breeding program, detailing the selection of parental lines, hybridization techniques, field trials, and multi-environment evaluations. Challenges related to resource access, intellectual property, and environmental adaptation are discussed, along with opportunities for collaboration and innovation. This research underscores the importance of genetic diversity and biotechnology in advancing sweet potato breeding, with recommendations to expand the genetic base and integrate cutting-edge techniques. The findings aim to support sustainable breeding strategies that meet the evolving needs of agriculture and consumers.

Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam; Antioxidants; Chronic disease; Nutritional composition; Disease prevention