Omics approaches inAlliumresearch: Progress and way ahead

Abstract

BackgroundThe genusAllium(Family: Amaryllidaceae) is an economically important group of crops cultivated worldwide for their use as a vegetable and spices. Alliums are also well known for their nutraceutical properties. Among alliums, onion, garlic, leek, and chives cultivated worldwide. Despite their substantial economic and medicinal importance, the genome sequence of any of theAlliumis not available, probably due to their large genome sizes. Recently evolved omics technologies are highly efficient and robust in elucidating molecular mechanisms of several complex life processes in plants. Omics technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, etc. have the potential to open new avenues in research and improvement of allium crops where genome sequence information is limited. A significant amount of data has been generated using these technologies for variousAlliumspecies; it will help in understanding the key traits inAlliumcrops such as flowering, bulb development, flavonoid biosynthesis, male sterility and stress tolerance at molecular and metabolite level. This information will ultimately assist us in speeding up the breeding inAlliumcrops.MethodIn the present review, major omics approaches, and their progress, as well as potential applications in Allium crops, could be discussed in detail.ResultsHere, we have discussed the recent progress made inAlliumresearch using omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, micro RNAs, proteomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics. These omics interventions have been used in alliums for marker discovery, the study of the biotic and abiotic stress response, male sterility, organ development, flavonoid and bulb color, micro RNA discovery, and microbiome associated withAlliumcrops. Further, we also emphasized the integrated use of these omics platforms for a better understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms to speed up the breeding programs for better cultivars.ConclusionAll the information and literature provided in the present review throws light on the progress and potential of omics platforms in the research ofAlliumcrops. We also mentioned a few research areas inAlliumcrops that need to be explored using omics technologies to get more insight. Overall, alliums are an under-studied group of plants, and thus, there is tremendous scope and need for research inAlliumspecies.