Molecular breeding

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

Fine mapping of a kernel length-related gene with potential value for maize breeding

Abstract: A key candidate gene for maize kernel length was fine mapped to an interval of 942 kb; the locus significantly increases kernel length (KL) and hundred-kernel weight (HKW) Kernel size is a major determinant of yield in cereals Kernel length, one of the determining factors of kernel size, is a target trait for both domestication and artificial breeding However, there are few reports of fine mapping and quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/cloned genes for kernel length in maize In this project, a novel major QTL, named qKL9, controlling maize kernel length was identified We verified the authenticity and stability of qKL9 via BC2F2 and BC3F1 populations, respectively, and ultimately mapped qKL9 to an ~ 942-kb genomic interval by testing the progenies of recombination events derived from BC3F2 and BC4F2 populations in multiple environments Additionally, one new line (McqKL9−A) containing the ~ 942-kb segment was screened from the BC4F2 population Combining transcriptome analysis between McqKL9−A and Mc at 6, 9 and 14 days after pollination and candidate regional association mapping, Zm00001d046723 was preliminarily identified as the key candidate gene for qKL9 Importantly, the replacement in the Mc line of the Mc’s alleles by the V671’s alleles in the qKL9 region improved the performances of single-cross hybrids obtained with elite lines, illustrating the potential value of this QTL for the genetic improvement in maize kernel-related traits These findings facilitate molecular breeding for kernel size and cloning of the gene underlying qKL9, shedding light on the genetic basis of kernel size in maize

Selective breeding method for new variety of grain-saving green shank recessive white chickens

Abstract: The invention discloses a selective breeding method for a new variety of grain-saving green shank recessive white chickens and belongs to the technical field of molecular breeding. In the invention, by means of the molecular-assistant selection method, genotypes of chicken recessive white feather gene and sex-linked dwarf gene are identified, so that the genotypes can be quickly determined and thenew variety of grain-saving green shank recessive white chickens with genotype being cc/dwdw is produced. The method avoids complexness of test-cross selective breeding and reduces generation interval, and can breed the new variety of the grain-saving green shank recessive white chickens only after two generations, thus effectively reducing breeding cost. The grain-saving green shank recessive white chickens has small body size, consumes less feed, is low in basic metabolism and high in egg yield, has a delicious taste, is large in feeding density and high in feed conversion, can save cost, can be directly produced as commercial chicken and can be used in matching application.

Invited Expert Review Phenotyping for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Maize

Abstract: The ability to quickly develop germplasm having tolerance to several complex polygenic inherited abiotic and biotic stresses combined is critical to the resilience of cropping systems in the face of climate change. Molecular breeding offers the tools to accelerate cereal breeding; however, suitable phenotyping proto- cols are essential to ensure that the much-anticipated benefits of molecular breeding can be realized. To facilitate the full potential of molecular tools, greater emphasis needs to be given to reducing the within-experimental site variability, application of stress and characterization of the environment and appropriate phenotyping tools. Yield is a function of many processes throughout the plant cycle, and thus integrative traits that encompass crop performance over time or organization level (i.e. canopy level) will provide a better alternative to instantaneous measurements which provide only a snapshot of a given plant process. Many new phenotyping tools based on remote sensing are now available including non-destructive measurements of growth-related parameters based on spectral reflectance and infrared thermometry to estimate plant water status. Here we describe key field phenotyping protocols for maize with emphasis on tolerance to drought and low nitrogen.

Current status and application prospects of sweet sorghum breeding in China.

Abstract: Sweet sorghum(Sorghum bicolor) is a natural variant of grain sorghum and has a remarkable ability to accumulate sugars in its juicy stems and to produce high biomass in low-input agricultural systems.China is committed to develop sweet sorghum into a dedicated biofuel crop and has set clear milestones for sweet sorghum breeding.In this review we briefly described the origins,cultivation history and germplasm collection of sweet sorghum and devoted much of the text to discuss the problem of the hybrid and molecular breeding of sweet sorghum in China.We argue that sweet sorghum breeding is still in its infancy and primarily adopts the grain sorghum system.The goals of and approaches to speed up the biofuel sweet sorghum breeding have been discussed.

Genomic Designing for Climate-Smart Pea

Abstract: Pea (Pisum sativum L.), a diploid (2n = 2x = 14) annual cool-season legume crop adapted to a wide range of climates and altitudes, plays a very important role for sustainable agriculture as rotation and cash crops for food, vegetable, fodder, manure, etc. The genome size of a pea is estimated at 4.45 Gb comprising large amount of repetitive sequences with high complexity, so that the complete reference genome sequence of pea has not been published yet, which hindered the development of genome-assisted breeding in pea. This chapter discussed the challenges, priorities, and prospects of pea as climate-smart (CS) crop, in food, nutrition, energy, and environment security, effects on global warming and climate change to the industry and breeding of pea. For details, studies on CS agronomic traits of peas like flowering time, root characters, nutrient-use efficiency, water use efficiency, carbon and nitrogen sequestration, greenhouse gas emission, genome plasticity, as well as specific traits for vegetable purposes, were reviewed; CS stress tolerance/resistance traits studies of peas, like cold tolerance, drought tolerance, salinity tolerance, disease resistance, insect resistance were also reviewed. Pea-hosted biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and soil resources, rhizobium for nodulation, characterization for rhizobium, interaction between pea and its anchored rhizobium, interaction between rhizobium and soil, optimized operation for rhizobium fertilization were illustrated. Utilizations of primary gene pool, secondary gene pool, tertiary gene pool, artificially induced/incorporated traits/genes in CS pea genetic development were reviewed. Of CS pea studies, classical mapping efforts, classical breeding achievements (yield, quality, stress resistance, etc.), limitations of traditional breeding and rationale for molecular breeding, genetic diversity analysis of Pisum genus using various means, such as association mapping studies between important traits and markers, molecular mapping of CS genes and QTLs, marker-assisted breeding for CS traits, genomic-aided breeding for CS traits, were all reviewed. Social, political, and regulatory issues concerning CS peas, for concerns and compliances, patent and IPR issues, disclosure of sources of GRs, access and benefit sharing, famers’ rights, traditional knowledge, treaties and conventions, participatory breeding, in China and elsewhere were discussed. Peas, especially green pea production dramatically expanded and became increasingly important from the beginning of this century. Achievements on pea studies will lead to genomics, phenomics, and genome editing exploration to assist CS pea breeding purpose in the future.