Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4): 1-16.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-1157

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Global Strategies, Technologies, and Policy Recommendations for Crop Intelligent Design and Breeding

LIN Qiao1(), XIAN Guo-jian1,2, LI Hui-hui3, ZHANG Xue-fu1,2(), SUN Tan2,4()   

  1. 1.Agricultural Information Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081
    2.Key Laboratory of Agricultural Big Data, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081
    3.Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081
    4.Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081
  • Received:2025-10-27 Online:2026-04-26 Published:2026-04-30
  • Contact: ZHANG Xue-fu, SUN Tan E-mail:linqiao@caas.cn;zhangxuefu@caas.cn;suntan@caas.cn

Abstract:

Seed is a crucial, irreplaceable component in agriculture. Intelligent design and breeding employs technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and gene editing to model and simulate the entire crop growth process from breeding to harvest. This marks a substantial shift from traditional “experimental optimization” to “computational optimization”. This paper traces the evolution of crop breeding from its early domestication stages to the era of intelligent design and breeding. Using VOSViewer software and the LDA topic model, we analyze scientific literature to identify global research themes and technological trends inintelligent design and breeding. Additionally, we further discuss the layout and its characteristics of the breeding policies in agriculturally advanced countries, such as the United States. We also address the issues and challenges faced by China in this field and offer development recommendations. The study reveals that: 1) Global research in intelligent design and breeding focuses on three main themes and nine major technological directions, particularly AI phenotyping technology systems, intelligent computational breeding technology systems, and genotype-environment-phenotype fitness associating technology systems. 2) International policies emphasize the importance of the Breeding 4.0 concept, integrating high technologies such as gene editing, big data, and artificial intelligence. In contrast, China’s policies are predominantly centered on the molecular breeding stage, with a strong focus on germplasm resource protection, key technological breakthroughs in seed sources, and enhancements of traditional breeding methods. 3) To address the challenges in policy formulation, core technology development, and the application of research in intelligent design and breeding, we propose that China should strengthen top-level design, accelerate technology-driven innovation, and improve the innovation ecosystem.

Key words: intelligent design and breeding, key technologies, phenotypic prediction, policy frameworks, innovation ecosystem