Molecular markers and their significance for crop improvement
Molecular markers and their significance for crop improvement The productivity of domestic crop plants has evolved through the collective efforts of plant scientists since the dawn of agriculture and represents mankind’s greatest achievements. From a historical perspective, improved crop yields have been influenced perhaps more by genetic improvement than by any other single factor (Fehr, 1984). Despite the breeding progress already achieved, additional gains in agricultural productivity are demanded at an ever-faster pace by population growth and by changes in agricultural practices, biotic and abiotic environments and consumer preferences. The main objective of plant breeding is to attain sustainability in agriculture. This can only be achieved by enhancing crop yield, keeping yield stability, and improving the quality by crossing elite cultivar...