RELEVANCE OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TOOLS FOR THE STUDY AND SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIALIZATION OF FEIJOA (ACCA SELLOWIANA (O. BERG) BURRET) CROP: (REVIEW)

This paper presents and analyzes the latest key results and achievements of molecular genetic studies of A. sellowiana culture. It examines the main problems of breeding and developing new cultivars within the framework of commercial production of A. sellowiana, including difficulties with vegetative propagation, seasonal presence on the consumer market, and short shelf life. The prospects of molecular genetic approaches to address these challenges are assessed, and existing successes in this field are noted. Despite shortcomings in the context of effective commercialization, A. sellowiana is a crop with high potential for scaling up. However, it currently requires thorough and comprehensive fundamental and applied research based on molecular genetic technologies, which are essential for modern trait-oriented breeding and can help overcome limitations and significantly accelerate the process of developing new and improved cultivars. Based on a number of studies using molecular markers, sequencing, and gene expression, the overall genetic diversity of feijoa collections in various growing regions has been assessed, and methods have been proposed for preserving and increasing genetic variability among germplasm collections, including recommendations for finding candidate genes for breeding. Additionally, an analysis of publications devoted to studying the genetic diversity of feijoa collections has confirmed the notion that the domestication of this crop may have originated from a single Uruguayan-type feijoa population. The molecular genetic studies reviewed in this paper provide the initial data necessary for developing and optimizing appropriate strategies and agronomic management for ensuring the future sustainability of A. sellowiana agricultural crop from farm to table.