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Double haploids, gene markers – how do modern breeding technologies really benefit farmers?

Modern plant breeding technology has come a long way in the last 10 years; according to NIAB, 90% of the wheat increase from 1982 to 2008 has come from a result of the manipulation of the plant gene pool.

ed flatman

Ed Flatman of Limagrain wants growers to better understand better plant breeding technology can benefit them

Terminology such as double haploids and gene markers are commonly used to describe how some of these processes bring new and exciting varieties onto the marketplace.

However do we really understand what this technology does and how it translates to real practical benefits on farm? To find out more come along to the Limagrain stand at the inaugural Croptec event on the 30th and 31st October, where senior breeders will be on hand to demonstrate and answer these very issues.

“As breeders we are always aiming to introduce new varieties each year that offer benefits to growers; increased yield, stronger agronomic characteristics, and better disease resistance. We also have to meet the needs of the end users when developing these new varieties to ensure that they have secure marketing options through improved quality, productivity, processability and added value,” explains Ed Flatman, senior wheat breeder for Limagrain UK.

“During Croptec our aim will be to talk through this and demonstrate how we as breeders work with both internal R &D and external research to bring together a sound set of characteristics that we implement into our breeding programme and introduce into new varieties.”

“Gene marker technology is a key part of this process and at the stand we will have trays of plants to show how we use leaf sampling for marker analysis and testing, and how this can then be used to tell us more about yield, quality, disease resistance genes, resistance to midge. Our intention is to demonstrate to growers the practical characteristics and explain how we breed for these traits, and where we can go with the technology we have and are developing for future varieties – as quickly and efficiently as possible,” says Mr Flatman.

Limagrain will also be exhibiting a range of grain samples to highlight differences in grain size and specific weight, as well as flour samples showing the differences between hard and soft wheat.

 

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