Jianquan Li

Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 6   
Received: 20 Oct., 2024    Accepted: 22 Nov., 2024    Published: 30 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 provides an overview of the current status and advances in loquat genomics, with a focus on genome mapping, molecular breeding technologies, and the genetic mechanisms underlying key traits. As an important economic crop, loquat faces challenges such as environmental stresses, diseases, and breeding difficulties. In recent years, through high-quality genome assembly and the integration of multi-omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics), scientists have identified multiple key genes and QTL loci associated with fruit quality, stress resistance, and flowering and fruiting time. The article also discusses the role of marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genome editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 in improving breeding efficiency. Furthermore, research indicates that the domestication process of loquat exhibits a two-stage pattern, with genetic diversity concentrated in wild varieties. Looking forward, the application of multi-omics technologies and artificial intelligence is expected to enable more efficient and precise loquat breeding to address challenges posed by climate change and market demands.

Loquat genomics; molecular breeding; High-quality genome assembly; Marker-assisted selection (MAS); Multi-Omics integration