Title: Metabolomics: A tool for targeted and untargeted stepwise applications in crop improvement
Abstract:
In the developing field of "omics," called "metabolomics", metabolites and the chemical imprints of cellular regulatory processes in various biological crop species are identified and quantified. The complete pool of metabolites present in an organism is known as its metabolome, and it can be studied to identify genetic or environmental differences. Exploring environment-gene interactions, phenotyping, and biomarker identification are all significantly aided by metabolomics. The most two most applicable metabolomic approach is targeted and non-targeted metabolomics analysis; the creation and performance assessment of distinct targeted and non-targeted metabolomics approaches are applicable for crop improvement to investigate both biotic and abiotic stress effect on crop production. A promising method for understanding the numerous metabolic networks associated with crop stress tolerance to both biotic and abiotic factors is metabolomics. In this situation, metabolomics-assisted breeding offers effective metabolic-level screening for crop output and stress tolerance using targeted and untargeted metabolomics approach. Metabolic profiling for both targeted and non-targeted metabolomics methodologies has become faster thanks to advanced metabolomics analytical tools like non-destructive nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and direct flow injection (DFI) mass spectrometry. Presently, effective dissection of genetic and phenotypic connection in crop plants has been made possible by combining metabolomics with post-genomics methods. The cutting-edge targeted and untargeted plant metabolomics tools for crop production enhancement are discussed in this review. Here, we outline the process of a crop metabolomics study, which aims to clarify crop biotic and abiotic stress tolerance processes. Additionally, future uses of metabolomics-assisted crop breeding for speed breeding and its promise for agricultural development are highlighted. The potential stumbling blocks and potential benefits of crop metabolomics have also been mentioned.
Key words: Metabolomics, Metabolites, Biomarker, mGWAS and mQTL
