DNA markers are used to track favourable characteristics such as disease resistance, yield and quality. Some of these characters are genetically very complex and conventional assessment in the field usually takes many years of trials, over many locations, to gain a robust assessment of varietal performance. It is now possible to dissect these complex characters into simpler genetic components and link them to DNA markers. This gives our breeders greater understanding of the genes available to them in their crossing programmes and allows them to make selections more efficiently in the field.
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Marker technology has been closely integrated with field trials, pathology and lab based quality assessments, allowing the breeder to respond rapidly to new market demands. RAGT scientists also work closely with the public sector in order to promote research in critical areas. Examples of ongoing research links include bread-making quality, HFN stability, durable disease and insect resistance. |