Genomic Tools for Assessing Plant Diversity in the 2020s: From PCR-Based Markers to High-Throughput Sequencing and eDNA
Author(s)
Date Issued
March 31, 2026
Type
article
Volume
18
Issue
4
Start Page
1
End Page
27
ISSN
1424-2818
Journal
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of plant diversity is essential for ecological research,
conservation planning, and sustainable resource management. Advances in genetic technologies
have transformed the assessment of plant biodiversity, enabling more precise and
efficient characterization of genetic variation. Early molecular markers, widely used in the
late 2000s, have largely been replaced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tools that
require less DNA, are easier to use, and are supported by accessible commercial kits. The
2020s have seen the emergence of new, more accessible tools driven by cost reduction and
efficiency improvements. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have further
revolutionized the field by providing genome-wide insights into allelic diversity, structural
polymorphisms, and epigenetic modifications. These innovations enhance the detection of
adaptive variation, improve understanding of spatial genetic structure, and support the
evaluation of environmental impacts on plant populations. Marker-assisted selection, now
common in modern breeding, leverages genomic data to develop cultivars with enhanced
resistance and desirable agronomic traits. Emerging tools such as environmental DNA
(eDNA) analysis, high-throughput phenotyping, and advanced bioinformatics workflows
expand the capacity to monitor species, assess population viability, and identify key traits
linked to adaptation. The present review aims to highlight these technological advancements
and the more recent and useful tools available from Next-Generation Sequencing
to genotyping-by-sequencing, discussing their role for conserving plant genetic resources,
improving breeding programs, and deepening knowledge of plant biodiversity within
changing ecosystems.
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Genomic_Tools_for_Assessing_Pl.pdf
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Format
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Checksum (MD5)
6f384f2263bb5c85d0bc68d1c1620c7f
Project(s)
European Union Next-Generation EU (Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR)—missione 4 componente 2, investimento 1.4—D.D. 1032 17/06/2022, CN00000022).