Genomics-assisted Plant Breeding for Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Harmony, and Global Food Security: A Comprehensive Review
Kamilla Priyatham *
Division of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu, J&K, India.
Soumya Chakraborty
Division of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.
Mouli Paul
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, India.
S.S Harshavardhan
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India.
Jagdeep Singh
Department of Agriculture, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana-Ambala, Haryana, India.
Nidhi
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India.
Treio Dkhar
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, C. P. College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, India.
Chintha Suvarna
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, S.V Agricultural College, Tirupati, India.
Aritabha Kole
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.
Sayan Das
Department of Agronomy, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Genomics-Assisted Plant Breeding (GAPB) represents a transformative approach in modern agriculture, integrating advanced genomic tools with traditional breeding techniques to address critical challenges such as sustainable agriculture, environmental harmony, and global food security. This review delves into the evolution of GAPB, its methodologies, and its applications in developing climate-resilient, nutrient-efficient, and high-yielding crop varieties. By exploring its role in enhancing agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact, the review highlights the potential of GAPB to meet the growing food demands of an increasing global population. The key findings emphasize the success of GAPB in breeding crops with improved stress tolerance, disease resistance, and nutritional profiles, alongside its contribution to reducing chemical inputs and conserving biodiversity. Despite its numerous benefits, the paper also identifies challenges such as technological accessibility, high costs, and ethical considerations that need to be addressed for widespread adoption. The implications of GAPB are discussed in the context of its role in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and ensuring long-term agricultural resilience.
Keywords: Genomics-assisted plant breeding (GAPB), sustainable agriculture, climate-smart crops, food security, marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS)