Advances in genetic resource enhancement of noug ( <i>Guizotia abyssinica</i> L.) for sustainable oilseed production

Abstract Noug ( Guizotia abyssinica L.) is among the key oilseed crops of Ethiopia and India and is valued for its tolerance to drought, with its very nutrient-dense oil being rich in essential fatty acids, protein and minerals. Despite the economic potential of noug, its production is limited by biological factors such as self-incompatibility, seed shattering, parasitic weeds and disease susceptibility. This review consolidates advances in the past decade, highlighting the transition from conventional breeding to the application of genomic tools. We critically assess how the development of self-compatible lines, transcriptome sequencing and linkage mapping are being used to produce improved germplasm. There is, however, a huge gap between research products and farmer-preferred variety development. This review suggests an integrative approach that brings genomics, phenomics and participatory breeding to realize the faster generation of high-yielding, durable noug cultivars. This is an important strategy to ensure that noug is a sustainable crop that ensures food security and financial empowerment of Ethiopian smallholder farmers.