Applications of molecular markers to the genetic improvement of Camellia sinensis L. (tea) - a review.

摘要

In recent years, considerable emphasis has been placed on the development of molecular markers for a variety of objectives. However, the development and application of molecular markers in tea breeding are recent, dating back only to the mid-1990s. This review focusses on the different molecular markers used in the genetic improvement of tea, both locally and internationally. The majority of molecular marker studies in tea have been confined to genetic diversity analysis, while only a few studies have attempted to construct genetic linkage maps to facilitate marker assisted selection (MAS). So far, no reports have appeared on the practical application of MAS in tea breeding programmes, illustrating the fact that there is much work still to be done to make the MAS strategy a practical reality in tea breeding. Analyses of the genetic diversity of tea germplasm using different molecular marker techniques (RAPD, AFLP and ISSR) to date, and other areas for the application of molecular markers in tea, are discussed. The opportunities offered by the integration of molecular markers into conventional tea plant improvement programmes, highlighting the synergy of conventional breeding and MAS for genetic improvement of tea, are reviewed. Future perspectives on the application of molecular markers to various objectives related to the different stages involved in tea crop improvement, to enhance its efficiency and the cost-effectiveness of MAS, are outlined..