Modern breeding techniques for biotic and abiotic stress in solanaceous vegetable crops

Abstract:

Solanaceous vegetable crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes, are among the most widely cultivated and economically significant crops globally. However, their productivity and quality are significantly affected by both biotic and abiotic stresses, which include pests, diseases, drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. Biotic stresses, such as infections caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses, alongside pest infestations, lead to substantial yield losses. Concurrently, abiotic stresses like water scarcity, soil salinity, and temperature fluctuations exacerbate crop production challenges. Given the increasing impact of climate change and global food insecurity, breeding stress-resistant varieties has become a priority for ensuring the sustainability and productivity of Solanaceous crops. This review highlights the recent advances in breeding strategies aimed at enhancing biotic and abiotic stress resistance in these crops. Traditional breeding methods, such as hybridization and selection, have been combined with cutting-edge genomic tools like Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS), Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), and CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing to accelerate the development of stress-resistant varieties. Additionally, the integration of multi-omics approaches has provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms governing stress tolerance, allowing for more precise breeding strategies. Despite significant progress, challenges such as limited genetic diversity, complex polygenic inheritance, and environmental variability continue to hinder breeding efforts. This review discusses the progress, challenges, and future directions for breeding biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in Solanaceous crops, emphasizing the need for innovative, sustainable approaches to ensure food security in the face of changing environmental conditions.