Implementation of markers in Australian wheat breeding

Genetic associations of morphological, biochemical, and DNA markers with economically important traits can be used for indirect selection of the traits. Chromosomal linkage between pseudo-black chaff and the stem-rust resistance gene Sr2, and between the red glume gene (Rg1) and the stripe rust resistance gene Yr10, have been used in this way for many years. Similarly, linkages between disease resistance genes, such as Sr38, Lr37, and Yr17, have been used to achieve resistance to multiple diseases while selection is performed for resistance to one disease. Alleles at the Glu loci, assessed as protein differences, have been used as predictors of dough strength. More recently, DNA markers have been developed and used, especially to select for resistance to cereal cyst nematode, a trait which is difficult and expensive to assess with conventional bioassays. We found that the major use of DNA markers was for selection for traits of substantial economic importance, which were primarily determined by a single gene, and where the non-marker assay was expensive and unreliable. The other uses of markers were for pyramiding several genes influencing one trait, or for rapid backcrossing.