Pre-breeding: DNA ‘chips’ herald new era in plant breeding - Revolutionary new DNA marker tools that function almost like biological computer chips have opened the way to an unprecedented capability to exploit the vast genetic variation of the wheat gene pool
Australia
May 2014
Source: GRDC Ground Cover Issue 110: May-June 2014
New varieties the tip of a technology iceberg
To develop more productive and resilient crop varieties, breeders are attempting to deliver cultivars with the most complex type and mix of genetic traits ever attempted.
Advanced screening for phenotype (observable characteristics such as water use efficiency) and software tools that help breeders set up the most productive crosses for particular agro-climates are part of the solution for dealing with this complexity.
This involves the development of molecular markers that can ‘see’, compare and select differences in the genetic make-up of Australian bread wheat varieties and other material considered important by researchers and breeders.
These recently developed markers – called SNPs – form the centrepiece of a technology platform that is accelerating research in trait characterisation and gene discovery.
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More solutions from: GRDC (Grains Research & Development Corporation)
Website: http://www.grdc.com.au Published: June 13, 2014 |