Revisiting Wild Relatives: Genetic Reservoirs for Climate Adaptation in Crops

Author: Vinodh Kumar P.N., Sahana Police Patil and Keerthi G.M.

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Abstract

Global food security is under threat from climate change, population growth, and environmental degradation, necessitating the development of climate-resilient crops. Crop wild relatives (CWRs), the undomesticated progenitors of cultivated crops, harbor valuable genetic traits for stress tolerance, disease resistance, and improved resource-use efficiency. Despite their potential, CWRs remain underutilized due to biological barriers and the complexity of pre-breeding programs. Recent advances in genomics, precision gene-editing (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9), and machine learning are overcoming these challenges, enabling efficient trait introgression from wild species into elite crop varieties. This review examines pre-breeding strategies, genomic tools, and successful case studies that highlight the role of CWRs in climate adaptation. We also discuss challenges—such as regulatory barriers and linkage drag—and propose policy and technological solutions to enhance CWR utilization for sustainable agriculture

Keywords

Crop wild relatives, climate resilience, pre-breeding, genomics, CRISPR-Cas9

Conclusion

Harnessing CWRs for Sustainable Agriculture. Crop wild relatives represent an unparalleled genetic resource for addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, emerging pests and diseases, and soil degradation. Their evolutionary adaptations, developed over millennia in challenging environments, offer solutions that the narrow genetic base of domesticated crops cannot provide. However, fully realizing this potential requires an integrated approach combining cutting-edge science with supportive policies. Advanced genomics tools are essential for efficient gene discovery and characterization in wild populations. Techniques like pan-genome analysis and genome-wide association studies can help identify valuable alleles hidden in CWRs. Equally important are innovative pre-breeding strategies that effectively bridge wild and cultivated gene pools, such as the development of introgression lines and application of speed breeding protocols. The path forward requires concerted action on multiple fronts. Conservation of CWRs in their natural habitats must be prioritized, particularly in biodiversity hotspots facing rapid environmental change. Substantial investments are needed to build pre-breeding pipelines that can translate wild traits into usable breeding materials. Regulatory frameworks should be updated to facilitate rather than hinder the use of gene-edited CWR derivatives in breeding programs. As we face unprecedented challenges to global food security, CWRs offer a vital resource for developing climate-resilient, sustainable agricultural systems. By combining scientific innovation with collaborative policy action, we can transform these wild genetic resources into powerful tools for securing our food future. The time to act is now - to conserve, characterize, and utilize the precious genetic diversity that crop wild relatives contain before it is lost forever

References

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How to cite this article

Vinodh Kumar P.N., Sahana Police Patil and Keerthi G.M. (2023). Revisiting Wild Relatives: Genetic Reservoirs for Climate Adaptation in Crops. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(9): 1120-1124