marker-assisted selection in wheat - ictsd

Chapter 18 – Marker-assisted selection in crop and livestock improvement 371to genetic resources and breeding research,such as MAS, genomic tools, transgenictechnology and others, are better taken ifthese results are available.The results of this forward-lookingapproach developed in Brazil allowed theidentification of some important trendsthat must be considered by managers inthe process of adapting breeding effortsfor the future (Castro et al., 2002, 2005,2006). Current and emerging events identifiedin the process will certainly affectthe performance, methods, technologicalprocesses, portfolio of products and institutionalrelations in the public and privateR&D sectors dedicated to plant breeding inBrazil. This complexity indicates that it isquite dangerous for developing countries,pressured by market evolution and rapidexpansion of methods and technologies, toface the challenge of identifying priorityareas for investment without a minimumprospective effort.In summary, the ability to predictchanges that might affect the performanceof public and private R&D organizationsis essential for decision-makers and managersto guide adjustments in the focus ofthese sectors in a timely manner, avoidingthreats and promoting access to new toolsand opportunities. Although the same prospectivemethodology may be applied to awide range of countries, it is important topoint out that situations differ drasticallyfrom country to country, thereby requiringexamination of future configuration of asector on a case-by-case basis.MAS as Part of a ComplexProcess – Building Capacities,Complementarities andEnhancing NetworkingMAS cannot be considered an end in itselfor a tool detached from the complexitiesof breeding strategies. It has to beunderstood and analysed in the context ofan interacting mix of tools and strategiesthat have to be targeted towards crop andlivestock improvement in a coordinatedmanner. Independently of the outcome ofany priority-setting effort, the need for anexpanded networking approach to breedingand biotechnological research will alwaysbe an objective to be pursued. This needarises because networking and partnershipsare essential to enable organizationsto attain otherwise unattainable goals, addvalue to their products and processes andreduce costs. Also, the continuous demandfor efficiency and relevance presses R&Dprogrammes to move in the direction ofcooperation and alignment of efforts.One of the key problems limiting theuse of MAS and other advanced technologiesin developing countries is exactlythe difficulty of building effective teamsand networks. Unfortunately, very fewdeveloping countries have trained scientistsand advanced facilities concentrated in oneplace or institution. Usually, these scarceresources are scattered over different placesand institutions, and many times away ordisconnected from the relevant breedingprogrammes. This is a serious drawback asthe increasing interdependence of traditionaland upstream disciplines makes it necessaryto build and manage multidisciplinaryteams consisting of breeders, agronomists,molecular biologists, biochemists, pathologists,entomologists, physiologists, soilscientists, statisticians, etc. – a goal alwaysdifficult to achieve. In addition to the challengeof working within team alignmentsand cooperation, there is the pressing needto develop ways to share capacities, infrastructure,materials and information amongresearch teams located across a country, aregion, or even continents.