Molecular breeding

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

Wheat molecular marker and application thereof in identifying wheat powdery mildew resistance

Abstract: The invention discloses a wheat molecular marker and application thereof in identifying wheat powdery mildew resistance. The wheat molecular marker disclosed by the invention comprises (M1) No.18 nucleotide, corresponding to a sequence 4 in a sequence table, in a wheat genome DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid); (M2) a DNA fragment containing the (M1). The invention also prepares a P primer group, a K-IWB41105 primer group and a Str-IWB41105 primer group for detecting the wheat molecular marker. The wheat molecular marker and the primer groups provided by the invention can be used for wheat powdery mildew adult-plant resistance molecular breeding and powdery mildew adult-plant resistance character identifying. The special primer provided by the invention plays an important role in wheat breeding for disease resistance.

Genetic Improvement of Perennial Forage Plants for Salt Tolerance

Abstract: The difficulties of genetic improvement of forage species are further complicated by the intricacies of salinity stress. Multiple evidence of the effects of salinity on germination and establishment highlight some of the limitations that must be overcome in order to carry out successful breeding programs for pastures. Different sources of variation feasible to be used in such breeding programs are analyzed. The application of morpho-physiological selection criteria such as “salt glands” or “Na exclusion,” simulation of the saline environment to assess germination behavior, initial growth or production before defoliation are considered. Methodological advances in sequencing and bioinformatics allow us to predict a prominent role in the application of “Genomic Selection”. On the other hand, the advances in gene technologies have allowed direct the changes to specific sites by “Gene Edition” techniques, which are also very promising. The different methodologies of population management are largely dependent on reproductive systems, and it is a field where knowledge and “art” combine for successful results in plant breeding. Conclusions are drawn from the experiences carried out, and future perspectives for the improvement of perennial forage are analyzed. Both classical and molecular breeding come together not as alternatives but as complements.

Advances in Barley Breeding for Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Abstract: Crop breeding for high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) or tolerance to low nitrogen fertilization is thought to be an ideal solution to reduce the cost, carbon footprint, and other environmental problems caused by the excess use of nitrogen fertilizers. As a model plant for cereal crops, barley has many advantages, including good adaptability, a short growth period, and high natural stress resistance or tolerance. Therefore, research on improving NUE in barley is not only beneficial for nitrogen-efficient barley breeding but will also inform NUE improvement in other cereal crops. In this review, recent progress in understanding barley’s response to nitrogen nutrition, evaluation of NUE or low-nitrogen tolerance, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and gene cloning associated with improving NUE, and breeding of nitrogen-efficient barley is summarized. Furthermore, several biotechnological tools that could be used for revealing the molecular mechanisms of NUE or breeding for improving NUE in barley are introduced, including GWAS, omics, and gene editing. The latest research ideas in unraveling the molecular mechanisms of improving NUE in other crops are also discussed. Thus, this review provides a better understanding of improving the NUE of barley and some directions for future research in this area.

Improving Chickpea Genetic Gain Under Rising Drought and Heat Stress Using Breeding Approaches and Modern Technologies

Abstract: Increasing grain legume production, particularly for chickpea, will provide essential “plant-based dietary protein” and other micronutrients under the changing global climate. Drought and terminal heat stress limit plant growth and negatively affect various phenological events, causing severe yield losses. Among various strategies for improving stress tolerance, the judicious utilization of available genetic variation in the chickpea gene pool could minimize the adverse effects of drought and heat stress, sustaining chickpea yields. In addition, advancements in chickpea genomic resources, from molecular markers, namely, SSR, SNP, and INDELs and tools for association genetics, RNA-seq, to the availability of chickpea genome sequences and efforts of global chickpea germplasm resequencing allow us to identify loci and haplotypes contributing to drought and heat tolerance across the whole genome. Thus, molecular markers have enabled the successful transfer of drought-tolerant traits to elite chickpea cultivars using marker-assisted and haplotype-based breeding approaches. Likewise, the role of drought- and heat-responsive proteins and metabolites could significantly improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of drought and heat tolerance in chickpea via proteomics and metabolomics. Moreover, emerging novel breeding technologies (e.g., genomic selection, speed breeding, and genome editing) could enhance the necessary genetic gain to feed the increasing global population under an abruptly changing global climate.

The Winged Bean Genome

Abstract: AbstractClimate change, population growth and increasingly homogenised diets are a threat to food security and human nutritional status. There is an urgent need to incorporate highly nutritious crops into the human diet to provide new sources of nutrition, to diversify agriculture and to meet the challenges of climate change. Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) is an underutilised crop with a relatively high protein content, grown in the humid tropic regions. Despite its many strengths, the crop suffers from a number of production, yield and utilisation-related constraints. In this chapter, we discuss the nutritional value of winged bean and how it can be improved by utilising genomic and transcriptomic data. We discuss the importance of identifying genes and gene functions, generating genetic linkage maps and developing molecular markers that could be used to accelerate plant breeding. Considerable genomics resources have been developed in major legumes such as soybean (Glycine max) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) through transcriptome and genome sequencing. These provide opportunities for comparative genomic studies and translational research to improve minor crops such as winged bean. Winged bean genome sequencing is underway and will be published shortly. This will contribute to breeding improvement efforts. More research is needed to combine genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics data to further improve winged bean for food and nutritional security.