Tea plant genomics: achievements, challenges and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Genomics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Tea is a globally significant non-alcoholic beverage with substantial economic, health, and cultural importance.
• Tea plants are cultivated worldwide, with recent biotechnological advances driving progress in their genomics and genetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key achievements in tea plant genomics over the past two decades.
• To highlight progress in understanding tea quality and genome evolution.
• To outline future directions for functional genomic studies and breeding programs.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of genome and transcriptome sequencing projects.
• Analysis of gene discovery, regulation, epigenetics, and noncoding RNA studies.
• Examination of tea plant origin, domestication, phylogenetics, and germplasm utilization.

Main Results:

• Significant progress in understanding tea plant genome evolution and molecular mechanisms of tea quality.
• Identification of key genetic and epigenetic factors influencing tea characteristics.
• Development of new tools and platforms for tea plant research.

Conclusions:

• Past two decades have seen major advancements in tea plant functional genomics.
• Future research should focus on functional genomic studies to enhance tea breeding.
• Continued exploration of tea plant diversity and genetic resources is crucial.