The potential value of genetic markers, linkage maps and indirect selection in plant breeding
has been known for over 80 years. However, it was not until the advent of DNA marker
technology in the 1980s, that a large enough number of environmentally insensitive genetic
markers could be generated to adequately follow the inheritance of important agronomic
traits. Since then, DNA marker technology has dramatically enhanced the efficiency of plant
breeding. In the past decade, a number of breeding companies have, to varying degrees,
started using markers to increase the effectiveness of selection in breeding and to significantly
shorten the development time of varieties. Now, advances in automated technology enable a
new approach in marker assisted breeding which we have called ‘Breeding by Design’.
Thehas been known for over 80 years. However, it was not until the advent of DNA marker
technology in the 1980s, that a large enough number of environmentally insensitive genetic
markers could be generated to adequately follow the inheritance of important agronomic
traits. Since then, DNA marker technology has dramatically enhanced the efficiency of plant
breeding. In the past decade, a number of breeding companies have, to varying degrees,
started using markers to increase the effectiveness of selection in breeding and to significantly
shorten the development time of varieties. Now, advances in automated technology enable a
new approach in marker assisted breeding which we have called ‘Breeding by Design’.
advances in applied genomics and the possibility to generate large scale marker data sets
provide us with the tools to determine the genetic basis for all traits of agronomical
importance. Also, methods for assessing the allelic variation at these agronomically important
loci are now available. This combined knowledge will eventually allow the breeder to
combine favorable alleles at all these loci in a controlled manner, leading to superior varieties.
Changing concepts and molecular approaches provide opportunities to develop rational
and refined breeding strategies. Here, it is argued that knowledge about map position and
allelic variation at agronomically important loci in concert with available, easy-to-assay
molecular markers allow the design of superior varieties. Depending on the crop specific
generation time, controlled marker assisted selection strategies can lead to the production of
superior varieties within five to ten years.
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