Rapidly rising population and climate changes are two critical issues that require immediate action to achieve sustainable development goals. The rising population is posing increased demand for food, thereby pushing for an acceleration in agricultural production. Furthermore, increased anthropogenic activities have resulted in environmental pollution such as water pollution and soil degradation as well as alterations in the composition and concentration of environmental gases. These changes are affecting not only biodiversity loss but also affecting the physio-biochemical processes of crop plants, resulting in a stress-induced decline in crop yield. To overcome such problems and ensure the supply of food material, consistent efforts are being made to develop strategies and techniques to increase crop yield and to enhance tolerance toward climate-induced stress. Plant breeding evolved after domestication and initially remained dependent on phenotype-based selection for crop improvement. But it has grown through cytological and biochemical methods, and the newer contemporary methods are based on DNA-marker-based strategies that help in the selection of agronomically useful traits. These are now supported by high-end molecular biology tools like PCR, high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping, data from crop morpho-physiology, statistical tools, bioinformatics, and machine learning. After establishing its worth in animal breeding, genomic selection (GS), an improved variant of marker-assisted selection (MAS), has made its way into crop-breeding programs as a powerful selection tool. To develop novel breeding programs as well as innovative marker-based models for genetic evaluation, GS makes use of molecular genetic markers. GS can amend complex traits like yield as well as shorten the breeding period, making it advantageous over pedigree breeding and marker-assisted selection (MAS). It reduces the time and resources that are required for plant breeding while allowing for an increased genetic gain of complex attributes. It has been taken to new heights by integrating innovative and advanced technologies such as speed breeding, machine learning, and environmental/weather data to further harness the GS potential, an approach known as integrated genomic selection (IGS). This review highlights the IGS strategies, procedures, integrated approaches, and associated emerging issues, with a special emphasis on cereal crops. In this domain, efforts have been taken to highlight the potential of this cutting-edge innovation to develop climate-smart crops that can endure abiotic stresses with the motive of keeping production and quality at par with the global food demand.

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Phytochemistry, the study of plant chemicals, has been a longstanding tradition since ancient times, when plants were used as medicines. Early scientists, such as Dioscorides and Theophrastus, made significant contributions to its development and in the 20th century, the introduction of advanced technologies led to substantial progress in this field. Herbal medicine has gained popularity following the advent of technologies such as mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which enable the identification and characterization of bioactive ingredients or phytochemicals. Scientific study is crucial for the authenticity, purity and efficacy of herbal medicines, particularly in light of the growing global demand for them. Herbal medication development follows standardized processes and principles, from plant identification to pharmacological testing. Quality control entails a thorough evaluation that includes identity, validity, physical and chemical characteristics, detection of adulterants and detection of contamination. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Pharmacopoeias contribute to global standards for herbal drugs, where novel and emerging tools, such as: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) barcoding and several other advanced techniques, aid in the process. This paper focuses on highlighting some of these contemporary analytical procedures that enable researchers to meet the professional requirements for developing herbal medications. Modern quality control in phytochemistry employs advanced methods, including thermal and chromatographic analysis. These techniques help identify plant chemicals more accurately, making it easier to develop and deliver effective medicines. This paper also provides practical insights for professionals in industries related to herbal medicines, natural products and manufacturers of phytochemical-based products, helping them stay informed about the latest technologies. Moreover, it will help develop guidelines and standards for the quality control and safety assessment of phytochemicals, supporting policymakers and regulatory bodies in making informed and updated decisions regarding the use and marketing of phytochemical products.