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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Ithaca, New York » Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture & Health » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #126134
Title: USE OF MOLECULAR MARKERS FOR FRUIT CROP IMPROVEMENT

Author
item MCCASKILL, ASHLEE - CORNELL UNIVERSITY, BTI
item Giovannoni, James

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2001
Publication Date: 6/1/2002
Citation: MCCASKILL, A.R., GIOVANNONI, J.J. USE OF MOLECULAR MARKERS FOR FRUIT CROP IMPROVEMENT. KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS. MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN CROP IMPROVEMENT. 2002. P. 283-297.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Molecular markers have become invaluable tools for plant breeders in recent years. In breeding programs, they eliminate the need to grow plants to adulthood to select for the desired trait. The result is a dramatic reduction in time, money and space needed-this is particularly important for woody plants that have a long juvenile period. Molecular markers have also become indispensable tools for rapidly and reliably distinguishing between cultivars. In addition, markers have greatly improved the efficiency of mapping and cloning of ripening-related as well as other types of genes. Genetic maps have the potential to aid in identifying and isolating homologous genes in other species as a result of colinearity. As more and more ripening-related genes are identified and characterized, a clearer picture of the phenomenon of fruit ripening and regulation of gene expression will develop, as will a greater knowledge of how ripening regulation and processes have evolved among plant species. A description of currently used marker types is presented here in addition to examples of their use.