Search

Numerous molecular markers, linked with traits of agronomic importance in the food legumes, pea, chickpea and lentil, have been identified. Microsatellite markers are being developed and mapped in a collaborative effort between the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the University of Frankfurt to overcome the relatively low amount of information that can be derived from the widely used dominant markers in chickpea. Besides mapping and identifying host plant resistance, efforts are being made to characterize the pathogen populations. Once host plant resistance has been identified and mapped, it will be feasible to deploy the relevant resistance genes when shifts occur in the pathogen population. The technology for using these markers in marker-assisted selection (MAS) has been greatly improved. The ability to use MAS to pyramid genes will make this technology an essential tool for legume breeders.

The potential of plant gene technology encompasses a multitude of different techniques ranging from the isolation of useful genes, their characterization and in vitro manipulation to the reintroduction of the modified constructs into target plants, where they are expressed at a rate that alters the phenotype of the plants. Genome analysis, on the other hand, aims at characterizing the genome architecture and function(s).