The genomics of ornamental plants: current status and opportunities

Abstract

With the rapid development of sequencing technologies, followed by the reduction of sequencing cost, numerous ornamental plants have been sequenced, resulting in their genomic studies shifting from gene cloning and marker development to whole genome profiling. A profound understanding of genome structure and function at the whole genome level can not only help to modify ornamental traits, such as fragrance, color and flower shape, through genetic engineering, but also infer the genetic relationship and evolutionary history of ornamental plants via comparative genomics analysis. In this paper, we review the current situation of sequencing strategies and the application of genomics to study the origin and evolution of ornamental plants. We highlight challenges of ornamental plant genomic research. The use of cutting-edge technologies, such as genomics, gene editing and molecular design polymerization breeding, can facilitate our understanding of genetic regulation mechanisms and the germplasm innovation of important traits in ornamental plants. The results can be expected to significantly increase the breeding efficiency of ornamental plants.