Application of Genomics-Assisted Breeding in New and Specialty Crops, Kernza and Sweetpotato.

Genome sequencing has been revolutionizing plant breeding, especially for new or specialty crops, Kernza and Sweetpotato, for example. Kernza (Thinopyrum intermedium) is a new perennial grain crop and is genetically related to common wheat. Kernza provides substantial environmental services relative to annual grain crops, including reduced soil erosion, reduced nitrate leaching, increased carbon sequestration, and reduced input of seed, tillage, energy and herbicides. In 2011, the Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota initiated the breeding program with germplasm supplied by The Land Institute. The goal is to increase grain yield and biomass of Kernza and enhance grain quality for food products through plant breeding and genetics in order to obtain a commercially viable perennial grain/biomass crop within the next decade. With the advancements of new sequencing technologies, it is feasible to develop genomic tools for a new crop such as Kernza. In the past five years, genome-wide molecular markers were discovered; a high-density consensus map was developed, a draft genome sequence was completed, and QTLs for seed weight, threshability, shattering resistance, and plant height were identified using linkage mapping and association mapping. A genomic selection-based recurrent selection method was established and is being used to increase genetic grain. Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is the seventh most important food crop because of its adaptability to different climates. Due to its auto or auto/allo-hexaploidy, little genetic analysis was performed and no molecular breeding method was developed and deployed in sweetpotato breeding. Now genome sequencing, genome-wide marker discovery, genetic maps, QTL mapping and genomic selection are being explored and used in sweetpotato breeding and genetic studies. These genomic tools will lead to the rapid germplasm improvement, and will benefit breeders working on not only new promising crops but also staple crops.