Priyadarsini, S and Acharya, G C and Tripathy, P and Mishra, N and Singh, Saurabh and Choudhari, P and Chikh-Rouhou, H and Dash, M and Nandi, A and Kumari, M (2025) Insights into genomic resources and molecular breeding strategies of Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.): a new millennium crop with versatile potential. South African Journal of Botany (TSI), 184. ISSN 0254-6299
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The dependence on traditional food systems with a narrow genetic base is highly vulnerable to climate change, along with the risk of food and nutritional insecurity. Diversifying the current food systems with Nutri-dense and climate-resilient underutilized crops having a broad genetic base can help to overcome the adverse impact of climate change and issues of hunger and malnutrition as well. Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is one such underutilized crop with versatile potential that comprises vegetable type, grain type, weedy, and ornamental species. It is considered as a 3rd millennium crop owing to adaptive ability to adverse environmental conditions and marginal soils, enabled by the C4 pathway of photosynthesis, balanced nutritional and amino acid profile, and gluten-free quality. A wide range of genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity is present in the genus Amaranthus, which is still untapped and progress in enhancing their genetic gain has remained slow. We can improve past mistakes with the applications of advanced next-generation sequencing platforms, and momentum has been gained in strengthening the genomic resources and underpinning genomic profile of such underutilized crops. In this review, emphasis has been made on the current progress made with genomics-assisted breeding in understanding the genetic basis of complex traits, evolutionary dynamics, and nutritional and genetic potential of the underutilized crops (Amaranthus spp). The perspective and prospects of genetic engineering, genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9, and genomics in mainstreaming the amaranth for sustainable food production are discussed in detail with valid references for future exploitation of this underutilized vegetable crop.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | Global Research Program - Resilient Farm and Food Systems |
| CRP: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | genomic resources, molecular breeding, Amaranth |
| Subjects: | Others > Plant Breeding Others > Genetics and Genomics |
| Depositing User: | Mr Nagaraju T |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Mar 2026 05:57 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Mar 2026 05:57 |
| URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13557 |
| Official URL: | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/... |
| Projects: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Funders: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Acknowledgement: | UNSPECIFIED |
| Links: |
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