Molecular Breeding - Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of Crop Plants - page 226

7
Molecular Breeding
Begoña Pérez-Vich 1* and Simon T. Berry 2
ABSTRACT
In the last few years, there has been a tremendous advance in molecular
genetics and genomics of sunflower but the practical applications in
breeding programs remain limited. The purpose of this chapter is to
show how this molecular information is evolving into a valuable tool
for sunflower breeding. The requirements and objectives for
sunflower molecular breeding are discussed, as well as applications
such as germplasm characterization, enhancement of genetic variability,
and marker-assisted selection are overviewed. Finally, molecular
breeding in private sector programs is summarized.
Keywords: molecular breeding; germplasm characterization; marker-
assisted selection; gene introgression; gene pyramiding
7.1 Introduction
Plant breeding during the 20th century has played an essential role in
transforming sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) into a major oilseed crop. The
two most important developments were the dramatic increase in seed oil
percentage achieved by breeders in the former Soviet Union (FSU), and the
development of a cytoplasmic male sterility system, combined with fertility
restoration by nuclear genes, which enabled the commercial production of
hybrid seed (see for review, Fick and Miller 1997). The subsequent
development of short-stemmed, high yielding hybrid cultivars with high oil
1 Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible (CSIC), Apartado 4084, E-14080 Córdoba, Spain.
2 Limagrain UK Limited, Woolpit Business Park, Windmill Avenue, Woolpit, Bury St.
Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 9UP, UK.