Genomic selection for crop improvement in fruits and vegetables: a systematic scoping review

To ensure the nutritional needs of an expanding global population, it is crucial to optimize the growing capabilities and breeding values of fruit and vegetable crops. While genomic selection, initially implemented in animal breeding, holds tremendous potential, its utilization in fruit and vegetable crops remains underexplored. In this systematic review, we reviewed 63 articles covering genomic selection and its applications across 25 different types of fruit and vegetable crops over the last decade. The traits examined were directly related to the edible parts of the crops and carried significant economic importance. Comparative analysis with WHO/FAO data identified potential economic drivers underlying the study focus of some crops and highlighted crops with potential for further genomic selection research and application. Factors affecting genomic selection accuracy in fruit and vegetable studies are discussed and suggestions made to assist in their implementation into plant breeding schemes. Genetic gain in fruits and vegetables can be improved by utilizing genomic selection to improve selection intensity, accuracy, and integration of genetic variation. However, the reduction of breeding cycle times may not be beneficial in crops with shorter life cycles such as leafy greens as compared to fruit trees. There is an urgent need to integrate genomic selection methods into ongoing breeding programs and assess the actual genomic estimated breeding values of progeny resulting from these breeding programs against the prediction models.