Progress and prospects of marker assisted backcrossing as a tool in crop breeding programs

• DOI: 10.5897/ajb2006.000-5111
• Publication Date: 2006-12-29
• Authors: Kassa Semagn; Marie-Noëlle Ndji...
• Keywords: Marker-Assisted Selection

Marker assisted backcrossing (MAB) is one of the most anticipated and frequently cited benefits molecular markers as indirect selection tools in breeding programs. However, routine implementations MAB ongoing plant programs are still scarce. Currently single gene perhaps powerful approach that uses DNA effectively. Improvement quantitative traits loci (QTLs) through resulted to variable results ranging from limited success and/or even a failure few highly successful stories. A major constraint implementation pragmatic has been high relative cost compared conventional phenotypic selection. It popular misconception ‘DNA fingerprint’ always be preferred. To useful breeders, gains made must more cost-effective than traditional or generate significant time savings, which justifies additional involved. Currently, national agricultural research systems (NARS) Africa have either no very facilities, skilled manpower, financing for integrating part their Therefore, methods remain main option NARS many years come, but targeted use may become supplement if well-validated developed available collaboration with international centers. This paper provides detail review current literature on MAB, including requirements selected experimental results.