Breeders have been successful in increasing crop performance by exploiting genetic diversity over time. However, the reported annual yield increases are not sufficient in view of rapid human population growth and global environmental changes. Exotic germplasm possesses high levels of genetic diversity for valuable traits. However, only a small fraction of naturally occurring genetic diversity is utilized. Moreover, the yield gap between elite and exotic germplasm widens, which increases the effort needed to use exotic germplasm and to identify beneficial alleles and for their introgression. The advent of high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping technologies together with emerging biotechnologies provide new opportunities to explore exotic genetic variation. This review will summarize potential challenges for utilization of exotic germplasm and provide solutions.

随着时间的推移，育种者通过利用遗传多样性已成功提高了农作物的生长性能。然而，鉴于人口的快速增长和全球环境的变化，报告的年产量增加还不够。外来种质具有很高的遗传多样性，可用于有价值的性状。但是，仅利用了自然形成的遗传多样性的一小部分。此外，精英和外来种质之间的产量差距扩大，这增加了使用外来种质，鉴定有益等位基因及其渗入所需的工作。高通量基因分型和表型技术的出现以及新兴的生物技术为探索外来遗传变异提供了新的机会。