Integrating speed breeding and genomic tools to accelerate genetic gain in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.).

Leveraging genomic resources for precision breeding and trait improvement in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Faster, Smarter, Precise: Integrating Speed Breeding and CRISPR-Based New Genomic Techniques into the Conventional Field Crop Breeding Pipeline

Generation time is the principal bottleneck constraining genetic gain in plant breeding. Speed breeding (SB) addresses this by simultaneously managing the photoperiod, light spectrum and intensity, temperature, CO2 concentration, mineral nutrition, growing substrate volume, and post-harvest seed dormancy, enabling four to seven generations per year in long-day cereals and legumes, and four to five generations in optimised short-day systems. This review evaluates SB against the conventional pedigree framework; synthesises validated environmental parameters and crop-specific protocols; and examines principal SB applications in hybridisation, genomic selection, disease-resistance screening, and allele introgression. A structured comparison of major review and protocol papers identifies broad consensus on core parameters alongside genuine divergence on far-red light supplementation. Critical evaluation addresses genotype-by-environment interaction, incomplete trait coverage, infrastructure costs, and unresolved questions on the biological integrity of rapidly advanced generations. The review further discusses new genomic techniques (NGTs), particularly CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, in the context of the EU’s June 2026 NGT regulation, under which Category 1 plants carrying only targeted endogenous modifications are exempt from GMO authorisation. When combined with SB, this regulatory shift can compress the interval from gene-editing event to registered variety from decades to a few years. Speed breeding, NGTs, and conventional field-based selection are most productively treated as complementary elements of a unified pipeline.

Genetic breeding and multi-omics integration for alfalfa improvement from trait discovery to cultivar development

This review critically evaluates the transition from conventional phenotypic selection to data-driven breeding strategies, examining genomic selection (GS), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), multi-omics integration, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) within the context of polyploid crop improvement.

Molecular Markers Associated with Genetic Diversity, Stress Tolerance, and Breeding Traits in Theobroma cacao: A Review

This comprehensive review demonstrates that shifting from reactive field evaluation to marker-driven, genomics-assisted precision design provides the definitive molecular framework required to engineer high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-proof cacao cultivars, thereby permanently safeguarding the long-term economic sustainability of global cocoa supply chains.

Speeding crop resilience: Accelerated breeding strategies for pulse crops

Pulses, including chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth), are major sources of plant protein, dietary fibre and essential micronutrients, for over one billion people worldwide. However, conventional breeding typically requires 7–12 years to develop improved cultivars, limiting the ability to respond to climate change, emerging biotic and abiotic stresses and increasing food demand. Accelerated breeding (AB) integrates innovative approaches such as speed breeding (SB), rapid generation advancement (RGA), marker-assisted breeding, genomic selection, doubled haploids (DH), high-throughput phenotyping, genome editing and artificial intelligence to shorten breeding cycles and enhance genetic gain. This review summarises recent advances in these technologies, their applications in major pulse crops and their potential to improve breeding efficiency, selection accuracy and cultivar development. It also highlights current challenges, including genotype-dependent transformation, limited phenotyping infrastructure and data integration, while discussing emerging opportunities in multi-omics, predictive breeding and AI-assisted decision support. Integrating these technologies into unified breeding pipelines will accelerate the development of climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutritionally superior pulse cultivars, thereby strengthening global food and nutritional security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Genomic Selection Integrated with High-Throughput Phenotyping and Speed Breeding for Smart and Greener Rice (Oryza sativa) Improvement

This narrative review critically examines recent advances in genomic selection for rice and its integration with high-throughput genotyping, high-throughput phenotyping, machine learning, multi-environment prediction, and speed breeding.