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Improving fruit and wine: what does genomics have to offer?
1Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada. sean.myles@dal.ca
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|February 23, 2013
Summary
Future fruit breeding can overcome pathogen susceptibility and high costs. Molecular breeding and genomics accelerate the development of disease-resistant apple and grape cultivars, ensuring their availability for future generations.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Breeding
- Genomics
Background:
- Elite apple and grape cultivars are susceptible to pathogens, leading to high environmental costs from agrochemicals.
- Consumers' preference for ancient cultivars and the lengthy breeding cycle of woody perennials pose challenges.
- Exploring genetic diversity is crucial for developing disease-resistant and improved fruit varieties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of genomics and molecular breeding in accelerating the improvement of apple and grape cultivars.
- To address the challenges of disease resistance and consumer preferences in fruit breeding.
- To advocate for the adoption of modern DNA sequencing technologies in fruit cultivar development.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing genomics tools for molecular breeding in apples and grapes.
- Screening seedlings for desirable genetic profiles using molecular techniques.
- Analyzing next-generation DNA sequence data and statistical approaches.
Main Results:
- Molecular screening reduces the time and cost associated with traditional breeding methods.
- Genomics offers a pathway to overcome practical obstacles in breeding long-lived fruit crops.
- The adoption of DNA sequencing technologies promises significant acceleration in cultivar improvement.
Conclusions:
- Molecular breeding and genomics are essential for developing disease-resistant apple and grape cultivars.
- Genomic approaches can significantly reduce the time and expense of breeding woody perennials.
- Establishing populations for genome sequencing is recommended for future cultivar development.
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