Specific goal: Marker-assisted selection for multiple traits of interest in crops.

Outputs:

1. Low-cost, high-throughput MAS strategies
2. MAS derived germplasm for release to farmers

Ultimately, the goal of identifying linked markers is their use as indirect selection tools in the breeding programs. In addition to the identified linked markers, it is necessary to have a low-cost, high-throughput marker service facility and to consider alternative breeding strategies to most effectively incorporate molecular approaches. The Global Theme on Biotechnology will continue to evaluate marker methods and adopt those that provide lower cost and higher throughput. At the moment, SSR markers are considered appropriate for most species. It is predicted that SNP markers may become attractive in the next few years and technology will need to be established in-house. A major limitation in MAS is the cost to select for the recurrent genome in the backcrossing programs (normally, only markers linked to the trait/gene of interest are used). Chip-based technologies such as DARTs may provide an effective system and will be evaluated for possible use. As MAS becomes a routine strategy, it will be necessary to establish a Service Laboratory to provide the high-throughput marker services on-demand to the breeding programs.