Mapping the Future of Ginseng: New SNP Chip Speeds Up Breeding
Monday, July 21, 2025 - 10:25
in Biology & Nature
A team of researchers has developed the first high-resolution genetic map and a versatile SNP chip for Panax ginseng, a tetraploid medicinal plant with complex genomic architecture. These tools are designed to overcome the traditional bottlenecks in ginseng breeding--long generation times, low seed yields, and genetic complexity. The SNP chip, validated across 919 genotypes, enables precise genotyping and the identification of homozygosity and genetic purity, facilitating inbred line development. This innovation lays the groundwork for a robust molecular breeding platform, offering new opportunities for improving cultivar traits, enhancing product authenticity, and accelerating breeding cycles in the ginseng industry.