Lin Zhao , Letan Luo , Jiang Shi

Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Crop (Ecology) Research, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Plant Breeding, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 6   
Received: 16 Oct., 2024    Accepted: 19 Nov., 2024    Published: 27 Nov., 2024

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.

This study explores the genetic basis of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) adaptation, with a particular focus on drought tolerance mechanisms. Key genes and molecular pathways have been identified that help the plant survive under water stress, thus facilitating the development of more resilient sweet potato varieties. Recent research has made significant progress in understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in sweet potatoes. Recent studies have provided significant insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in sweet potato. Transcriptomic analyses have identified thousands of differentially expressed genes in response to drought stress, with many genes being common across different cultivars and enriched for drought response-related functions. Specific genes such as ItfWRKY70 have been shown to enhance drought tolerance by regulating ABA biosynthesis, stomatal aperture, and the ROS scavenging system. Additionally, the overexpression of the IbMIPS1 gene has been linked to improved drought and salt tolerance, as well as resistance to stem nematodes, through the upregulation of stress response pathways and the accumulation of protective metabolites. Furthermore, alternative splicing events and genotype-specific responses have been observed, indicating a complex and multifaceted genetic response to drought stress. The findings from these studies underscore the complexity of drought tolerance mechanisms in sweet potato, involving a wide array of genes and regulatory pathways. The identification of key drought-responsive genes and their functional roles provides valuable resources for geneticists and breeders aiming to develop drought-tolerant sweet potato cultivars. These insights not only enhance our understanding of plant adaptation to abiotic stress but also pave the way for future genetic improvement programs.

Sweet potato; Drought tolerance; Genetic basis; Transcriptomics; Gene expression; Abiotic stress; WRKY transcription factor; IbMIPS1; Alternative splicing; Breeding