Genetic Markers, Trait Mapping and Marker-Assisted Selection in Plant Breeding

Abstract

Genetic markers have long been used for characterization of plant genetic diversity and exploitation in crop improvement. The advent of DNA marker technology (during 1980s) has revolutionized crop breeding research as it has enabled the breeding of elite cultivars with targeted selection of desirable gene or gene combinations in breeding programmes. DNA markers are considered better over traditional morphology and protein-based markers because they are abundant, neutral, reliable, convenient to automate and cost-effective. Over the years, DNA marker technology has matured from restriction based to PCR based to sequence based and to eventually the sequence itself with the emergence of novel genome sequencing technologies. Trait mapping has been the foremost application of molecular markers in plant breeding. Genomic locations of numerous genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with agronomically important traits have been determined in several crop plants using linkage or association mapping approaches. Plant breeders always look for an easy, rapid and reliable method of selection of desirable plants in breeding populations. Conventionally, desirable plants are selected based on phenotypic observations. The phenotypic selection for complex agronomic traits is diffi cult, unpredictable and challenging. Once the marker-trait association is correctly established, the gene-or QTL-linked markers can be used to select plants carrying desirable traits, the process called marker-assisted selection (MAS). Marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) has been widely used for transferring single major gene or combination of major genes into the background of elite cultivar; the process

Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes Using Phenological, Molecular and DNA Barcoding Markers

“…These markers' primary disadvantages include their dominance in nature, sensitivity to plant development phases, pleiotropy, epistasis, and strong sensitivity to environmental changes [12]. Wheat's morphological characteristics are readily measured with high accuracy, good quality, and comparatively high heritability for plant communities, which enhances screener effectiveness [13]. Prior work utilizing quantitative morphological variables to evaluate the morphological and phenological characteristics of wheat genotypes indicated significant morphological variability across the Triticum genotypes under study [14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

Advances in Molecular Marker Technology and their Significance in Plant Improvement Strategies

“…Marker-Assisted Trait Mapping (MATM) is a powerful technique in plant breeding that involves the identification of genetic markers associated with specific traits of interest. These markers are then used to accelerate the process of selecting and breeding plants with desirable traits [97]. This technique has revolutionized plant breeding by enabling breeders to make informed decisions based on molecular data, leading to more efficient and targeted breeding programs.…”

Reorienting Indian agriculture: challenges and opportunities

“…Marker-assisted selection (MAS), marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC), marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS) and genome-wide selection (GWS) are different molecular breeding strategies used to improve crop-plant traits. Some achievements of MAB are the introduction of blast and blight resistance in rice, rust resistance in wheat, white rust resistance in mustard, downy mildew resistance in pearl millet and tolerance to submergence and salinity in rice (Kadirvel et al, 2015).…”