Insights into deployment of DNA markers in plant variety protection and registration.

Insights into deployment of DNA markers in plant variety protection and registration. Theor Appl Genet. 2019 May 02;: Authors: Jamali SH, Cockram J, Hickey LT Abstract KEY MESSAGE: The efficiency of phenotype-based assessments of plant variety protection and registration could be improved by the integration of DNA-based testing. We review the current and proposed models in the era of next-generation breeding. The current plant variety protection system relies on morphological description of plant varieties. Distinctness, uniformity, and stability (DUS) assessments determine whether a new variety is distinguishable from common knowledge varieties and exhibits sufficient phenotypic uniformity and stability during two independent growing cycles. However, DUS assessment can be costly, time-consuming and often restricted to a relatively small number of traits that can be influenced by environmental conditions. This calls for the adoption of a DNA-based system which is endorsed by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). This could enable examiners to deploy trait-specific DNA markers in DUS testing as well as using such genetic markers to manage reference collections. Within UPOV's system, breeders can freely use protected varieties in breeding programs. However, breeders of protected varieties may seek sharing in ownership of essentially derived varieties once it is proven that they, with the exceptio...
Source: TAG. Theoretical and Applied Genetics - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Theor Appl Genet Source Type: research