Omics technologies for genetic resources: Review and prospects

Developing a common resource of genomic diversity data that describes global collections of plant genetic resources is a goal that several large international genebanks and international research organizations are pursuing. The transition from an old paradigm of collecting germplasm and evaluating its phenotypic diversity to a new one of using whole genome sequence data to identify haplotype blocks of variation for estimation of genetic relationships and agronomic potential is a useful beginning. However, to implement the overall analysis for multiple omics profiles, integrated and systems-based information will likely provide better knowledge for decision making about germplasm improvement and plant breeding, instead of single types of data.