Molecular breeding

About: Molecular breeding is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2120 publications have been published within this topic receiving 56908 citations.

From genomics to crop breeding.

Abstract: New insights into the maize genome must be incorporated into breeding programs to realize the potential of crop genomics.

Recent progress on the molecular breeding of Cucumis sativus L. in China.

Abstract: Molecular breeding of Cucumis sativus L. is based on traditional breeding techniques and modern biological breeding in China. There are opportunities for further breeding improvement by molecular design breeding and the automation of phenotyping technology using untapped sources of genetic diversity. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable cultivated worldwide. It bears fruits of light fragrance, and crisp texture with high nutrition. China is the largest producer and consumer of cucumber, accounting for 70% of the world’s total production. With increasing consumption demand, the production of Cucurbitaceae crops has been increasing yearly. Thus, new cultivars that can produce high-quality cucumber with high yield and easy cultivation are in need. Conventional genetic breeding has played an essential role in cucumber cultivar innovation over the past decades. However, its progress is slow due to the long breeding period, and difficulty in selecting stable genetic characters or genotypes, prompting researchers to apply molecular biotechnologies in cucumber breeding. Here, we first summarize the achievements of conventional cucumber breeding such as crossing and mutagenesis, and then focus on the current status of molecular breeding of cucumber in China, including the progress and achievements on cucumber genomics, molecular mechanism underlying important agronomic traits, and also on the creation of high-quality multi-resistant germplasm resources, new variety breeding and ecological breeding. Future development trends and prospects of cucumber molecular breeding in China are also discussed.

Genetic resources and breeding methodologies for improving drought tolerance in wheat

Abstract: Yield gains from rain-fed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production, particularly in areas experiencing intermittent and terminal dry spells, can be realized through integrated breeding with promising genetic and genomic resources using appropriate methodologies. This enables targeted recombination of novel genes for drought tolerance and selection of desirable genotypes. Continuous exploration of new sources of genetic variation and introgression of suitable genes into elite drought-susceptible genotypes, including via transgenic approaches, and the use of genome editing could offer exciting future prospects in acquiring drought-tolerant wheat genotypes. This review highlights the available genetic resources, the major wheat genebanks and databases, as well as the breeding methodologies for drought tolerance in wheat, including prebreeding, conventional breeding, hybrid breeding, and genomics-assisted breeding. The potential of genetic modification through the transgenic and genome-editing approach...

Molecular Breeding for Ascochyta Blight Resistance in Lentil: Current Progress and Future Directions.

Abstract: Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a diploid (2n = 2x = 14), self-pollinating, cool-season, grain legume that is cultivated worldwide and is highly valuable due to its high protein content. However, lentil production is constrained by many factors including biotic stresses, majority of which are fungal diseases such as ascochyta blight (AB), fusarium wilt, rust, stemphylium blight, anthracnose and botrytis grey mould. Among various diseases, AB is a major -problem in many lentil-producing countries and can significantly reduce crop production. Breeding for AB resistance has been a priority for breeding programs across the globe and consequently, a number of resistance sources have been identified and extensively exploited. In order to increase the efficiency of combining genes from different genetic backgrounds, molecular genetic tools can be integrated with conventional breeding methods. A range of genetic linkage maps have been generated based on DNA-based markers, and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for AB resistance have been identified. Molecular markers linked to these QTLs may potentially be used for efficient pyramiding of the AB disease resistance genes. Significant genomic resources have been established to identify and characterise resistance genes, including an integrated genetic map, expressed sequence tag libraries, gene based markers and draft genome sequences. These resources are already being utilised for lentil crop improvement, to more effectively select for disease resistance, as a case study of the Australian breeding program will show. The combination of genomic resources, effective molecular genetic tools and high resolution phenotyping tools will improve the efficiency of selection for ascochyta blight resistance and accelerate varietal development of global lentil breeding programs.