A Genetic Treasure Trove: Wild Relatives and Landraces in the Genomic Era of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)
Maya Bisen *
Department of Horticulture, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam University, Indore, India.
Shourabh Joshi
Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Nagaur, Agriculture University, Jodhpur, India.
Rahul Bhardwaj
Dr. B.R. Choudhary Agricultural Research Station, Mandor Agriculture University, Jodhpur, Mandor, Jodhpur, India.
Neeshu Joshi
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture Nagaur Agriculture University, Jodhpur, India.
Chandan Kumar Panigrahi
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
S. Lakshman Kumar
Department of Biotechnology, The Adoni Art and Science College, Adoni, India.
Aman Tutlani
Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST–K), Wadura- 193201, J & K, India.
Rumaina Rehman Khan
School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara- 144411, Punjab, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) holds significant agronomic value globally, particularly across South and Southeast Asia, where it is cultivated both as an oilseed and leafy vegetable crop. However, breeding efforts in B. juncea have been hindered by its relatively narrow genetic base, a consequence of repeated selection for a limited number of traits over generations. This genetic bottleneck compromises its adaptability and increases susceptibility to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Recent advancements in genomics, molecular breeding, and the strategic use of wild relatives offer promising avenues for enhancing genetic variability and improving key agronomic traits. This review highlights the crop’s domestication history, its diverse gene pool encompassing landraces and wild relatives, and recent progress in hybrid development, QTL mapping, and marker-assisted selection. Emphasis is placed on the untapped potential of wild relatives in conferring improved stress tolerance, disease resistance, and enhanced nutritional content. Integrating molecular tools with emerging pan-genomic datasets and high-throughput phenotyping platforms can accelerate the development of climate-resilient, high-yielding B. juncea cultivars. Therefore, the systematic exploration and incorporation of underutilized genetic resources hold the key to sustainable mustard improvement in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Keywords: Wild relatives, landraces, molecular breeding, introgression, QTL mapping, marker-assisted selection, genomic diversity, crop improvement