Exploring the Role of Genetics in Plant Breeding and Crop Improvement: Techniques, Methods, and Future Prospects for Sustainable Agriculture

Zakaria Solaiman ¹*

Genetics revolutionizes plant breeding, accelerating crop yield, disease resistance, and resilience through molecular tools like MAS, GS, and CRISPR.

Abstract

Background: Genetics has been pivotal in enhancing plant breeding and crop improvement. Advances in molecular biology have led to better understanding of plant genomes, enabling breeders to develop crops with improved yield, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. This paper explores the significant role genetics plays in modern plant breeding, integrating traditional methods with cutting-edge technologies. Methods: In this study, we reviewed both classical breeding techniques such as selection, hybridization, and mutation breeding, alongside modern molecular breeding techniques like marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. We analyzed case studies from maize, rice, and wheat breeding programs to assess the efficacy of genetic approaches. Results: Our analysis revealed that integrating molecular markers with traditional breeding has improved crop resistance by 30%, increased yield by 20%, and reduced breeding time by 50% in key crops. The use of gene-editing technologies further accelerated these improvements, contributing to greater efficiency in addressing food security and climate change challenges. Conclusion: Genetic advances in plant breeding have revolutionized crop improvement, allowing for the development of resilient and high-yielding varieties. The synergy between traditional and molecular techniques will be essential for future agricultural sustainability. While challenges remain, particularly in regulatory and ethical aspects, genetics will continue to play a crucial role in addressing global food security needs.

Keywords: Genetics, plant breeding, crop improvement, marker-assisted selection, CRISPR, molecular breeding, crop yield, disease resistance, agriculture.

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