Advancing Cassava Improvement Through Multi-Omics Technologies

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a key staple food and the world's fourth-largest source of calories. Among other biotechnological and bioinformatics methods, genomic-assisted breeding, molecular tools, and genome editing technologies have enhanced the potential of commercially significant crops through the application of functional genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. However, the creation, enhancement, and eventual adoption of the enhanced cultivars have proven difficult, necessitating all-encompassing methods to their resolution. This review aims to highlight advancements in genetic research and various omics studies in cassava. This article discusses the potential risks and global acceptance of improved cultivars. It reviews research findings on cassava production, quality, and adaptability, while also highlighting recent advancements in cassava research worldwide. This review also explores the potential future use of omics methods to enhance desired outcomes. It provides a summary of cassava molecular resources, with a focus on the most relevant and up-to-date multi-omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics. Additionally, it examines how multi-omics tools can be applied to uncover correlations between biological processes and metabolic pathways across various omics layers. Overall, this article highlights the most significant advancements achieved in cassava research to date.