Advances and prospects of genomic-assisted breeding in roots, tubers, and banana crops

Agre, A.P., Uwimana, B., Mbanjo, E.G.N., Ferguson, M., Bhattacharjee, R., Nyine, M., ... & Mushoriwa, H. (2026). Advances and prospects of genomic-assisted breeding in roots, tubers, and banana (RTB) crops. Frontiers in Plant Science, 17: 1744272, 1-15.

Roots, Tubers, and Bananas (RTB), including banana and plantain, cassava, yam, sweetpotato, and potato crops, share several defining features that set them apart from cereals and legumes. They are essential for food and nutritional security for hundreds of millions of people, especially in developing countries. Despite their significance, RTB crop breeding has lagged due to the complexity of genetics and the use of vegetative propagation. Recent advancements in genomics-assisted breeding (GAB) offer opportunities to accelerate genetic gains. This review provides an updated synthesis of genomic tools and associated strategies applied in RTB breeding, with a focus on banana and plantain, cassava, and yam. It spans the recent development and application of genomic tools, from diversity studies and trait discovery to marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, pan-genomics, and gene editing. It also highlights the efforts to modernize RTB breeding through program optimization and digital tool integration. The review concludes by suggesting future directions for sustainable impact.