Molecular Breeding: Speeding Up The Selection Process


		Time to market is a key factor in commercial vegetable breeding. Depending on the plant type, it takes about 10 years from R&D to commercializing a new seed variety. That is why modern breeding teams use so-called molecular markers (see explanation on the right) to help speed up the selection process. Analyzing small pieces of leaf, our molecular biologists can quickly identify whether or not the desired gene is present in a plant, without having to wait until it is fully grown. This can save years of development work, and makes it possible to address the specific needs of growers, retailers and consumers in a timely fashion.

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Molecular Markers

Molecular markers are short fragments of DNA which have a known sequence of genetic building blocks and which attach to specific segments in the genome. Like place-name signs, they help scientists find their way around the genetic material of a plant. Some markers indicate a disease-resistance gene; others reveal information on the fruit's shape and color.