Genetic Enhancement of Selected Species

This report, presented by Peter Langridge of the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, considers current advances in plant breeding and the identification and utilization of genetic variation. The efficiency of breeding and selection processes is often assessed according to the ultimate success of the varieties released and the frequency with which new varieties are produced. Large breeding programs for annual crops may carry hundreds of thousands of lines to produce a new variety only once every few years. Molecular markers are well established tools in plant breeding and genetics. Recent developments in molecular markers for many crops offer considerable improvements in the efficiency and sophistication of breeding. The developmental challenges for molecular markers are considered together with the implications for public breeding programs. This report was discussed at the Stakeholder Meeting at AGM2005.