Chuchu Liu¹ , Yuan Liu²

1 Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, China
2 Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, China
Author    Correspondence author
Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 1   doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0003
Received: 03 Jan., 2024    Accepted: 05 Feb., 2024    Published: 17 Feb., 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.

Liu C.C., and Liu Y., 2024, Accelerating the process of tree breeding: A review and progress of GWAS applications in forest trees, Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 14(1): 12-21 (doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0003)

This study reviews and prospects the application of Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) in forest tree breeding. With the rapid development of molecular biology and genomics, GWAS has become an essential tool for deciphering the relationship between genetic variation and trait expression in trees. This research introduces the basic principles and methods of GWAS technology and discusses its successful application in the field of plant breeding, showcasing the potential of GWAS in identifying genetic markers related to important agronomic traits such as crop yield, quality, and disease resistance. The study focuses on the special considerations and challenges of GWAS in tree breeding, including the long lifespan of trees, their large genomes, and genetic diversity, and elucidates the application of GWAS in identifying genetic markers related to important traits in trees, using actual case studies. The application of GWAS in tree breeding not only improves the efficiency and accuracy of breeding but also provides new strategies and methods for protecting genetic resources and adapting to environmental changes.

Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS); Forest trees; Breeding process; Genetic markers; Technical challenges