Insights into deployment of DNA markers in plant variety protection and registration

Abstract

The efficiency of phenotype-based assessments of plant variety protection and registration could be improved by the integration of DNA-based testing. We review the current and proposed models in the era of next generation breeding.

Molecular-Assisted Distinctness and Uniformity Testing Using SLAF-Sequencing Approach in Soybean

“…The time-, labor-consumption and sensitivity to environmental changes involved in DUS testing make it vague in distinguishing cultivars [5]. Furthermore, this process of DUS testing using morphological descriptor is mostly restricted to a few traits which are easily influenced by environmental factors [6]. These disadvantages seriously affect the accuracy and efficiency of cultivar identification and may lead to the possibility of infringing or fake varieties passing the DUS testing in cultivar registration, causing economic losses to breeders.…”

“…These disadvantages seriously affect the accuracy and efficiency of cultivar identification and may lead to the possibility of infringing or fake varieties passing the DUS testing in cultivar registration, causing economic losses to breeders. In addition to DUS testing based on morphological descriptors, more reliable methods should be applied to identify varieties with similar morphological features in DUS testing or infringement lawsuits.Owing to these reasons, the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), an intergovernmental organization whose system of plant variety protection is intended to encourage innovation in the field of plant breeding [7], has called for the adoption of a DNA-based system that will enable examiners to deploy trait-specific DNA markers in DUS testing [6]. Genetic features have been considered a remarkable improvement for the identification of cultivars in DUS testing [8][9][10][11].…”

“…Molecular markers including restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) [13], random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) [14-16], simple sequence repeat (SSR) [17,18], inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) [19], and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) [20,21], were applied to genetic diversity analysis and genetic mapping. In DUS testing, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and SSR are the most commonly used [6]. SSR markers have the advantage of being highly polymorphic and originate from defined chromosomal locations.…”

“…Therefore, a more reliable and accurate approach is needed. The ever increasing use of NGS technologies has renewed the focus of researchers on the detailed investigation of molecular-based or molecular-assisted DUS testing in a timelier manner [6]. The DNA-based markers can be used to supplement, or even…”

“…Owing to these reasons, the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), an intergovernmental organization whose system of plant variety protection is intended to encourage innovation in the field of plant breeding [7], has called for the adoption of a DNA-based system that will enable examiners to deploy trait-specific DNA markers in DUS testing [6]. Genetic features have been considered a remarkable improvement for the identification of cultivars in DUS testing [8][9][10][11].…”