Genetics and breeding for climate change in Orphan crops

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Breeding
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Climate change necessitates resilient crops, increasing interest in underutilized orphan crops.
• Orphan crops exhibit remarkable resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses, offering nutritional and industrial value.
• Despite benefits, orphan crops lack genetic resources for efficient improvement and profitability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the importance of breeding orphan crops for climate change adaptation.
• To highlight existing gaps in genetic resources and production systems for orphan crops.
• To propose strategies for accelerating orphan crop improvement and profitability.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on orphan crop genetics, breeding, and production.
• Analysis of progress in generating genomic resources for orphan crops.
• Identification of modern breeding tools and production system improvements needed.

Main Results:

• Significant progress in sequencing orphan crop genomes, with over 28 draft genomes generated.
• Orphan crops possess valuable traits for climate resilience, nutrition, and industrial uses.
• Key challenges include limited genetic/genomic resources, inadequate germplasm conservation, and weak seed/marketing systems.

Conclusions:

• Coordinated research investment and structured breeding programs using modern tools are essential for rapid orphan crop improvement.
• Addressing production challenges like seed systems and market access is vital for profitability.
• Lessons from major crop improvement can guide orphan crop development for a more resilient food future.