Genomic variation drives plant flavor diversification.

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Genetics
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Plant flavor diversity stems from genomic variation across species and cultivars.
• Mechanisms linking genomic variation to flavor phenotypes are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review how genomic variation influences flavor-related metabolites.
• To integrate multi-omics evidence into a mechanistic framework for plant flavor.
• To explore AI and gene editing for flavor trait improvement.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review on genomic variation and plant flavor.
• Integration of genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and functional validation data.
• Examination of artificial intelligence (AI) and gene editing applications.

Main Results:

• Genomic variation reshapes biosynthesis, transport, and accumulation of flavor metabolites.
• A mechanistic framework links genomic variation to flavor's molecular and metabolic basis.
• AI and gene editing can accelerate identification of causal variants for flavor traits.

Conclusions:

• Plant flavor can be targeted for improvement based on molecular mechanisms.
• This framework has implications for crop quality, nutrition, and sustainability.
• Understanding genomic underpinnings of flavor is crucial for future plant breeding.