marker-assisted selection in wheat

16Marker-assisted selection – Current status and future perspectives in crops, livestock, forestry and fishSummaryFour different sources of information were analysed to assess the current uses of molecularmarkers in crops, forest trees and livestock in developing countries: the FAO Biotechnologyin Developing Countries (FAO-BioDeC) database of biotechnology in developing countries;country reports evaluating the current status of applied plant breeding and relatedbiotechnologies; country reports on animal genetic resources management for preparingthe First Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources (SoW-AnGR);and the results of a questionnaire survey on animal genetic diversity studies. Even if stilllargely incomplete, the current data show that molecular markers are widely used for plantbreeding in the developing world and most probably their use will increase in the future.In the animal sector the use of molecular markers seems less developed and limited orabsent in most developing countries. Major differences exist among and within regionsregarding the application of molecular marker techniques in plant and animal breeding andgenetics. These can be explained by the relatively high investments in infrastructure andhuman resources necessary to undertake research in these fields. The spectrum of applicationof molecular markers in crop plants is quite wide, covering many plants relevant tothe enhancement of food security, but other important plant species are still neglected. Thepractical results of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in the field are disappointingly modest,possibly due to: low levels of investment; limited coordination between biotechnologistsand practical breeders; instable, non-focused or ill-addressed research projects; and the lackof linkages between research and farmers. Partnerships between developed and developingcountries may be a means of better realizing the potential of molecular marker techniquesfor improving both animal and crop production.