Chongqing—Breeding chips play a vital role in germplasm genotyping for biological breeding, which is crucial for crop genetic enhancement and research.
China is a significant player in breeding chip development. The National Center for Citrus Variety Improvement Center in Chongqing's Western Science City has created "Citrus Core 1," the world's first citrus liquid breeding chip, to boost citrus breeding efficiency.
Associate Professor Li Qiang, a member of the citrus team at the Germplasm Creation Science Center, points out that traditional breeding methods are particularly challenging for citrus due to their perennial nature and long juvenile phase.
Professor Li elaborated that the genetic heterozygosity and interspecific incompatibility among certain varieties add complexity to the process, often extending the timeline to over 30 years to develop a superior variety.
Citrus Team laboratory. (Photo/Germplasm Creation Science Center)
The key benefit of "Citrus Core 1" lies in its capability for cost-effective, high-throughput citrus genotyping, bolstering resource identification, whole-genome association, and genetic analysis.
The breeding chip establishes a robust groundwork for developing an extensive citrus biological breeding platform, encompassing whole-genome selection breeding. Its characteristics—precision molecular design, high throughput, low cost, and intelligent operation—greatly enhance citrus breeding efficiency and notably reduce the breeding cycle.
This tool facilitates various applications, such as genotype identification of germplasm resources, whole-genome-associated analysis to discover molecular markers and functional genes linked to crucial traits, and establishing whole-genome selection models for breeding. It is also employed in precise genotyping for germplasm identification and genetic diversity analysis.
Citrus seedlings are being cultivated. (Photo/Germplasm Creation Science Center)
To ensure national food and biosecurity, the Germplasm Creation Science Center aims to become a hub for scientific talent, a source of technological innovation, and a springboard for emerging industries in the Science City.
By integrating research, education, and industry throughout the entire process, the center seeks to meld the innovation chain with the industrial chain, fostering industry transformation and serving national strategic and local developmental needs.