Genomics-assisted breeding: The next-generation wheat breeding era

Common wheat provides approximately 20% of the total dietary calorie intake of human beings. Recent technological advances in whole-genome sequencing and their application in wheat and its progenitor species provide new opportunities to uncover the genetic variation of wheat traits and to accelerate the traditional breeding (TB) strategies in the context of genomics-assisted breeding (GAB). Integration of TB, marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) with high-density SNP markers is expected to accelerate the breeding process and to further enhance genetic gain. With the assistance of the next- or third-generation sequencing technologies and high-throughput phenotyping platforms, GAB can now realistically be considered in the following area: (i) genome sequencing and high-quality assembly to uncover new variations, (ii) whole-genome sequence-based association studies, (iii) gene function (or functional gene) identification and (iv) integration of whole genomic breeding information, utilizing multi-omics data and different breeding strategies. We argue that GAB is becoming the preferred strategy in pursuit of new wheat cultivars with superior traits on high yielding, high nutritional quality, climate-resilience and so on.

Automated summary

Common wheat contributes to 20% of the total calorie intake in human diet. Recent advances in whole-genome sequencing have provided new opportunities for uncovering genetic variations in wheat traits and accelerating breeding strategies with the assistance of genomics. Combining traditional breeding, marker-assisted selection, and genomic selection with high-density SNP markers can enhance the breeding process and increase genetic gain. Genomics-assisted breeding is becoming the preferred strategy for developing superior wheat cultivars with traits such as high yield, nutritional quality, and climate resilience.