Pre-breeding approaches towards vegetable improvement: A review

Authors

  • A Sohi Department of Vegetable Science, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan 173 230, Himachal Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4190-843X
  • B S Dogra Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Hamirpur 177 001, Himachal Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8582-4954
  • S Dhiman Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Hamirpur 177 001, Himachal Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5172-2168
  • R Pathania Department of Vegetable Science, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan 173 230, Himachal Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3159-8172
  • A Chaudhary Department of Vegetable Science, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan 173 230, Himachal Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1317-5550
  • P Singathiya Division of Vegetable Science, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560 089, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2323-0433
  • A D Ranga Department of Vegetable Science, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan 173 230, Himachal Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6276-3877
  • A Kumari Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Hamirpur 177 001, Himachal Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8926-8189

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4857

Keywords:

crop improvement, plant genetic resources, pre-breeding, vegetables, wild relatives

Abstract

The current genetic framework in agriculture poses risks as it undermines global food security. The shift from diverse landraces and local cultivars to genetically uniform modern varieties in traditional agroecosystems has increased the susceptibility of cultivars to pests and diseases. This poses a significant challenge to our valuable biodiversity. In response to changing environmental conditions, there is a need to discover novel genes and traits that enhance adaptability. To create high-yielding cultivars with broader genetic diversity, plant breeders must explore various germplasm sources. Gene banks play an important role in preserving beneficial genes and maintaining genetic variation. The urgent need to expand agricultural germplasm stocks and enhance crop management is beneficial for global food security. Plant genetic resources play a vital role in expanding germplasm stock and improving crop management systems. Pre-breeding delivers the unique advantage of incorporating desired genes from wild germplasm into cultivated varieties, minimizing linkage drag. It focuses on increasing genetic variability among germplasm so that it may be employed in normal genetic improvement programmes for cultivar development. Pre-breeding serves as a beneficial bridge between breeding efforts and genetic resources especially when non-adapted materials are involved. Despite limited utilization of plant genetic resources in crop development programs, pre-breeding can build new genomic technologies to enhance genetic diversity analysis and manipulation with an ultimate approach to create improved cultivars with desirable traits.

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References

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Published

26-01-2025 — Updated on 28-01-2025

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Sohi A, Dogra BS, Dhiman S, Pathania R, Chaudhary A, Singathiya P, Ranga AD, Kumari A. Pre-breeding approaches towards vegetable improvement: A review. Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2025 Jan. 28 [cited 2025 Mar. 30];12(1). Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/4857

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