Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) Genetic Improvement

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) is a wonderful fiber-producing plant species, but it has not received adequate care and attention from researchers. Ramie fiber is considered the longest, strongest and most durable of all known plant fibers. The fiber is composed of pure cellulose being resistant to microbial attacks. Ramie leaves are highly nutritious and can be used food as well as animal feed. In addition, different parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine in many Asian countries. Despite its high value as fiber, food, feed or medicine, the cultivation of ramie has been declining over the past 50 years. Ramie cultivation has principally been limited to China under traditional farming system. The productivity and profitability of ramie farming systems are declining gradually, although industrial demand remains high. Under this backdrop, we discuss the status of genetic improvement and cultivar development in ramie that helped to sustain production despite a decrease in area under cultivation. Also, recent progress on genetic and genomic resources have been reviewed, including genome sequencing, transcriptome characterization, diversity analysis, genetic map construction and transgenic cultivar development, which provide new opportunities to improve the genetic make-up of the cultivars for better productivity, higher resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and improvements in fiber quality. Integration of conventional and molecular breeding methodologies are also emphasized for development of new, end-use specific cultivars.