Studies on Tea Germplasms in Fujian Province Applying DNA Molecular Markers

This article reviewed the studies conducted on the tea germplasms in Fujian Province using methodologies based on DNA molecular markers. The advanced technologies employed by the researchers included the random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD), simple sequence repeat (SSR), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), symbolic compiler optimization technology (SCoT), and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), among others. According to the reports, the tea germplasms collected in the province were rich in genetic diversity with complex backgrounds and frequent exchanges and variations. The germplasms were categorized as types differentiated by the teas they were made into or the origins they originally came from. The types generally reflect their genetic differences. Prospectives of future research development, discovery of critical genes associated with the agronomic traits of interest, analysis on the relationship between genetics and species, integrated application of multi-omics technology for studies, and utilization of molecular markers in new variety breeding are presented in anticipation of advancements in unveiling and localizing genes crucial to desirable agronomic traits as well as in selecting parents for target breeding.