Demin Yu , Shengyu Chen

Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 5   doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0023
Received: 06 Sep., 2024    Accepted: 07 Oct., 2024    Published: 18 Oct., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Yu D.M., and Chen S.Y., 2024, Harnessing genetic diversity in peanut for enhanced crop performance, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 15(5): 232-243 (10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0023)

Peanuts are a critical global crop, providing essential nutrients and serving as a key agricultural commodity. However, peanut cultivation faces numerous challenges, including susceptibility to drought, pests, diseases, and declining genetic diversity. To address these issues, genetic improvement of peanuts is vital. This study reviews the current status of genetic diversity in peanuts, emphasizing the importance of wild relatives, landraces, and advanced breeding lines as sources of valuable genetic variation. We also explore peanut germplasm collections, phenotypic and molecular characterization methods, and pre-breeding strategies to harness genetic resources. Additionally, we highlight breeding efforts for key traits, including yield, drought tolerance, disease resistance, and nutritional quality. The utilization of modern breeding tools, such as marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, is discussed in the context of accelerating genetic gains. A case study on breeding for aflatoxin resistance in peanuts demonstrates successful genetic interventions and future prospects. The integration of genomics, transcriptomics, and high-throughput technologies is critical for further advancing peanut breeding. Ultimately, developing climate-resilient and sustainably cultivated peanut varieties requires enhanced genetic diversity, strong policy support, and the involvement of key stakeholders.

Peanut breeding; Genetic diversity; Drought tolerance; Aflatoxin resistance; CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing