Genomic selection: a revolutionary approach for forest tree improvement in the wake of climate change

Forest tree breeding is new and more difficult, time-consuming, and expensive than crop breeding. Forest trees breed every 20–40 years. Genomic and molecular biology advances have revolutionized plant breeding based on phenotypes. Molecular markers make genotype selection possible. Marker-assisted breeding can speed up breeding, however, it is not effective for selecting complicated features in forest trees. The genomic estimated breeding value of an individual can be determined using this unique genomic selection method, which studies all impacts of quantitative trait loci using a large number of genetic markers across the genome. This method should improve forest trees better than conventional breeding. This article reviews genomic selection's current advancements in forest tree improvement and discusses genotyping and phenotyping methods. We also evaluate genomic prediction algorithms and stress the importance of cost–benefit analysis before genomic selection. This technique of forest breeding can be improved by boosting species diversity, favorable traits, and epigenetic variation.