Transcriptomics in oilseed breeding: a genomic approach to crop enhancement

The development of next-generation sequencing technologies and recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics have revolutionized plant genomics research. Major oilseed crops, such as canola, flax, peanut, soybean, sesame, and sunflower, play a significant role in contributing to both human dietary needs for oil and protein and the nation's economy. Comparative transcriptome analysis of cultivars with contrasting traits, including oilseed content, composition, seed size, and seed weight, provides valuable insights into the genes involved in regulating these traits. Such insights can be further explored through functional genomics or genome editing, offering potential applications for improving oilseed breeding programs. This chapter highlights the evolution of transcriptomics technologies, comparative transcriptome analysis studies in six major oilseed crops, and key online resources for the transcriptome analysis of these crops.