Sweet potato: A comprehensive review of breeding challenges, genetic insights and health implications

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a vital tuber crop, especially in Asian and African nations, known for its nutritional richness and health-promoting properties. Its high fiber content contributes to gut health, while its impressive vitamin and mineral profile supports overall well-being. However, sweet potato breeding faces significant hurdles, including flowering irregularities, self-incompatibility, and cross-incompatibility. These challenges have hindered the effectiveness of both conventional and modern breeding strategies. Although molecular techniques such as gene editing show promise in enhancing disease resistance, a deeper understanding of the crop’s genetics and growth patterns is crucial for developing superior varieties. This review provides an in-depth analysis of sweet potato, including its taxonomy, origin, domestication, floral biology, and the challenges faced in breeding. It explores the limitations of conventional breeding methods and examines the potential of biotechnological innovations to unlock the crop’s full potential. By addressing these challenges and leveraging advanced techniques, we can enhance sweet potato production and contribute to global food security and human health. Furthermore, understanding the genetic diversity within sweet potato germplasm is essential for identifying valuable traits that can be incorporated into new varieties. This review also touches upon the importance of conserving wild relatives of sweet potato as a reservoir of genetic resources for future breeding efforts. It discusses the role of advanced genomic tools in deciphering the complex genetic makeup of sweet potato and how this knowledge can be applied to accelerate the development of improved cultivars. Finally, the review highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from various fields such as genetics, plant physiology, and food science, to fully realize the potential of sweet potato as a key crop for the future.