Steps in MAB
In summary, the following steps are a general simplified outline of how MAB might be applied in a breeding program. Keep in mind that these must be adapted to the specific crop and goals of each project.
- Assess genetic diversity of germplasm collection with markers
- Select parents
- Make crosses, generate segregating populations
- Apply markers to generate a genetic map
- Phenotype a segregating population for traits of interest
- Apply markers to use with phenotype data for QTL discovery/marker-trait correlations (may be done simultaneously as the previous 2 steps)
- Select key marker-trait correlations of interest
- Select plants from the segregating population that contain desired alleles for the traits of interest
- Make new crosses (either to introgress new desirable alleles into commercial lines, make hybrids with other desired properties, get rid of linkage drag, etc.)
- Continue until new lines are ready for commercial production