marker-assisted selection in wheat - ictsd

366Marker-assisted selection – Current status and future perspectives in crops, livestock, forestry and fishSummaryIt is generally recognized that marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a tool that breeders canuse to accelerate the speed and precision of crop and livestock breeding in developingcountries. However, its practical application has been more difficult than previouslyexpected. Although advances in molecular marker technology have uncovered manypossibilities for transferring genes into desired crops and livestock through MAS, moremethodological development and better planning and implementation strategies willbe needed for its successful and expeditious application to breeding programmes. Also,this technology should not be regarded as an end in itself, but as an interacting part ofcomplex strategies and decision-making processes. An appropriate mix of technologiesand capabilities together with effective approaches to networking must be viewed askey ingredients for its correct development and application to breeding programmes.This chapter describes some strategies to guide decisions about structures, methods andcapacities that may contribute to enhancing the access and successful use of MAS indeveloping countries.