Apomixis in kelp genetic improvement: Practices, challenges, and prospects

Apomixis, a reproductive mode characterized by clonal offspring production without meiosis and fertilization, holds significant potential for revolutionizing crop cultivation and food production through the fixation of heterosis and streamlined hybrid seed production. This review synthesizes current knowledge on apomixis in flowering plants, lower plants, and brown algae, with a particular focus on its potential application in kelp genetic improvement. By comparing apomictic events in flowering plants with those in lower plants and brown algae, we summarize and clarify the meaning and scope of apomictic reproduction in brown algae. Furthermore, we discuss the documented forms of apomixis in brown algae, including diplospory, apospory, parthenogenesis, and apogamy, and their applicable practices for genetic improvement and cultivation in economically important kelp species. We also highlight the challenges in understanding and applying apomixis in kelp breeding, including species-specific processes, environmental influences, and the need for genetic and molecular understanding of apomixis mechanisms. Looking forward, we propose the integration of apomictic strategies into kelp breeding programs to stabilize heterosis, building on the current utilization of heterosis in kelp cultivation. •Various apomictic reproductions in plants and brown algae were summarized and compared.•Applicable practices in improving kelp using apomictic strategies were reviewed.•Challenges in improving kelp using apomictic strategies were discussed.•The potential application of apomixis for kelp heterosis fixation was proposed.