**1. Advances in Gene Editing in Context of Vegetable Molecular Breeding**

In recent years, it has become certain that genome editing is an efficient and powerful tool for precise genome manipulations in plants. For applications in molecular vegetable breeding, this new technique overcomes the shortcomings of conventional breeding, such as long-term artificial selection and limited genetic germplasm resources [1,2]. Wan et al. reviewed the development and application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in vegetable crops. Currently, this system has been used to improve shelf life, fruit quality and stress resistance in major vegetable crops, such as tomato and cabbage. In the case of broccoli, genome editing has succeeded in limited *B. oleracea* crops [3]. Although the application of genome editing is extensive, how to obtain germplasm resources through gene editing of CREs (Cis-regulatory elements) and create a universal regeneration system for vegetable crops needs to be further studied and improved [1,4].

**2. Germplasm Diversity Evaluation for Vegetable Improvement**

In the modern breeding process, the evaluation of genetic diversity in agronomic and quality traits is still a fundamental method and approach for germplasm utilization and excavation. Uddin et al. performed phenotypic characterization and genetic diversity evaluation of 130 local eggplant germplasms [5]. Based on an analysis of trait variance, correlation matrix and MGIDI index, numerous traits were evaluated to determine the inherent variation and select applicable parents for eggplant improvement.

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are widely used genetic markers for genetic variation research in various crops due to co-dominance traits and high polymorphism. Zhong et al. employed this sequencing technology in *Capsicum frutescens* to provide resources of SSR molecular markers and analysis genetic diversity for pepper breeding [6]. Genome-wide identification of SSR markers revealed that trinucleotides were the dominant repeat motif. A total of 147 collected pepper cultivars were determined, clustered into seven main groups due to genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships analysis. In *Cucurbita moschata*, 103,056 SSR loci were found by in silico PCR in which di-nucleotide motifs were the most common type [7]. Synteny analysis of cross-species SSR markers indicated that the main syntenic relationships between *Cucurbita* species were highly conserved during evolution.
