Welcome to Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin,

Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (21): 51-57.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0487

• Academic Papers of the 27th Annual Meeting of the China Association for Science Technology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Application of Molecular Breeding Technology in Genetic Improvement of Brassica Crops

WU Shifan(), FU Jingyan, LIU Luhong, LUO Tian, WANG Rui()   

  1. Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065
  • Received:2025-06-17 Revised:2025-07-11 Online:2025-07-25 Published:2025-08-05

Abstract:

This study reviews the application of molecular breeding technologies for genetically improving Brassica crops. It focuses on three hybrid seed production systems: Genic Male Sterility (GMS), Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS), and Self-Incompatibility (SI). The work details how CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing enables targeted development of GMS systems—such as creating double mutants of genes like DAD1, BnaMS1, BnaMS2, and OPR3 or thermosensitive two-line systems. For CMS systems, fertility restoration is achieved by knocking out genes like orf138. Novel SI parental lines are created by editing genes such as BnS6-Smi2, BoSP11, and Exo84c. Molecular markers based on sterility genes (orf224/atp6, orf222, orf138) allow precise identification of three cytoplasmic types (Pol, Nap, Ogu, etc.) in Brassica napus. These technologies significantly enhance heterosis utilization efficiency by enabling precise creation of sterile lines and efficient selection of elite germplasm. This facilitates breeding of new cultivars with high yield, superior quality, and stress resistance. Future research directions include: (1) In-depth exploration of the functions of mitochondrial genes associated with CMS; (2) Optimization of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated strategies for coordinated multi-gene editing; (3) Integration of multi-omics data with artificial intelligence algorithms for hybrid combination prediction; (4) Development of novel techniques for creating transgene-free self-compatible lines. This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for overcoming bottlenecks in traditional breeding and advancing precision breeding in Brassica crops.

Key words: Brassica, male sterility line, self-incompatibility line, genetic improvement, gene editing, molecular marker-assisted breeding