Marker assisted selection: a strategy for wheat improvement Bhakti Rana1, Preeti Rana 2, Manoj K. Yadav1, Sundeep Kumar1

Marker assisted selection: a strategy for wheat improvement
Bhakti Rana¹, Preeti Rana ², Manoj K. Yadav¹, Sundeep Kumar^1
1Department of Biotechnology, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut U.P., INDIA
²BIT, Muzzafarnagar U.P., INDIA
Corresponding author: Bhakti Rana
Department of Biotechnology, Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut U.P., INDIA
E-mail: [e-mail]
Abstract
Wheat is most widely grown crop in the world, best adapted to temperate region and is a staple food of about 35% of the world population. Molecular markers have been introduced over last two decades, which has revolutionized the entire scenario of biological sciences. Traditionally, breeders have relied on visible traits to select improved varieties however; MAS rely on identifying marker DNA sequences that are inherited alongside a desired trait during the first few generations. Molecular markers are also considered as useful tools for pyramiding of different resistance genes and developing multi-line cultivars targeting for durable resistance to the disease. With the development of methodologies for the analysis of plant gene structure and function, molecular markers have been utilized for identification of traits to locate the gene(s) for a trait of interest on a plant chromosome and are widely used to study the organization of plant genomes and for the construction of genetic linkage maps. Breeders used molecular markers to increase the precision of selection for best trial combinations. With the development of AFLP and microsatellite marker systems, renewed studies are underway to analyze the genetic basis of many important traits in wheat. In light of the fresh challenges CIMMYT is giving emphasis on molecular breeding, functional genomics, deployment of transgenes for abiotic stresses etc., should get priority to maintain pace with time and growth. In near future, molecular markers can provide simultaneous and sequential selection of agronomically important genes in wheat breeding programs allowing screening for several agronomically important traits at early stages and effectively replace time consuming bioassays in early generation screens.