Molecular breeding techniques have led to significant improvements in many crops. Marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, genome editing, and transgenic approaches have been used to develop varieties with traits like disease resistance, drought tolerance, and increased nutrition. Key achievements include rice, wheat, maize, pearl millet, and chickpea varieties with improved bacterial blight and blast resistance, drought tolerance, protein and vitamin content. Molecular breeding allows faster development of stable, high-yielding crop varieties with desired traits compared to traditional breeding methods.

1. MOLECULAR BREEDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN CROP
IMPROVEMENT
PRESENTED BY- SUMIT SWAROOP MISHRA
ADMISSION NO.- 221810065
ADVISOR- DR. P . RANJITH
ASST. PROFESSOR ( PBG )
C.H. , OUAT, CHIPLIMA

2. Contents
1. Introduction
2. The benefits of molecular breeding
3. Techniques of molecular breeding
4. Marker assisted selection
5. Genomic selection
6. Transgenic Crop Development
7. Genome Editing
8. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Mapping
9. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)
10. Achievements in crop improvement
11. Traits improved
12. Combinations of traits improved
13. Crops improved
14. TimeLine
15. Conclusion
16. References

3. INTRODUCTION
 Molecular breeding may be defined in a broad sense as the use of
genetic manipulation performed at DNA levels to improve characters
of interest in plants and animals.
 Molecular breeding has made significant achievements in crop
improvement by accelerating the development of improved
crop varieties with desired trait.
 It involves the application of molecular biology techniques and
tools to understand and manipulate the genetic makeup of
crops, leading to targeted breeding efforts.

4. The Benefits of Molecular Breeding
• Consistency
Developing genetically uniform crops leads to consistent yield , quality and
productivity.
• Efficiency
Molecular breeding is much faster than traditional breeding methods . Thus,
speeding up breeding programs.
• Sustainability
New crops developed through molecular breeding can offer better resistance to
pests and diseases , reducing the need of harmful pesticides and herbicides.
• Nutrition
Crops developed through molecular breeding can be nutritionally enhanced to
address health issues like malnutrition and vitamin deficiency.

5. Techniques of molecular breeding
1. Marker –Assisted Selection (MAS)
2. Genomic Selection
3. Transgenic Crop Development
4. Genome Editing
5. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Mapping
6. Genome-Wide Association Studies
(GWAS)

6. 1. Marker-assisted selection (MAS):
• Molecular markers , such as DNA sequences and
specific genes , are used to identify and select plants
with desired traits.
• This enables breeders to efficiently select plants
with favorable characteristics without the need of
time consuming and costly phenotypic screening.
• MAS has been particularly effective in improving
traits like disease resistance , drought tolerance, and
quality attributes.

7. 2. Genomic Selection(GS):
• GS uses dense genetic markers spread across the entire
genome to predict the breeding value of individuals.
• By analyzing the marker associated with important traits,
breeders can make accurate predictions about performance
of plants at an early stage , even before they are
phenotypically expressed.
• This approach has revolutionized breeding programs,
especially for complex trait controlled by multiple genes.

8. 3. Transgenic Crop Development:
•Genetic engineering techniques have facilitated the
introduction of genes from other organisms into
crops , resulting in transgenic crops with improved
traits.
•For example , the development of insect resistant
Bt ( Bacillus thuringiensis)crops has significantly
reduced the need for chemical insecticides and
increase yields.

9. 4. Genome Editing:
• Technologies like CRISPR- cas9 have revolutionized molecular
breeding by enabling precise modifications in the DNA
sequence of crops.
• This has opened up new avenues for targeted gene editing ,
allowing breeder to introduce desirable genetic variations or
knock out detrimental genes.
• Genome editing has the potential to accelerate the
development of improved crop varieties with increased
precision and reduced regulatory concerns compared to
transgenic approaches.

10. 5. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Mapping:
• QTL mapping involves identifying regions of the
genome that contribute to the expression of
complex traits, such as yield, disease resistance,
and abiotic stress tolerance.
• This information helps breeders target specific
genomic regions for further breeding efforts to
improve these traits

11. 6.Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS):
• GWAS involves analyzing genetic variations across the
entire genome to identify associations between specific
genes and traits of interest.
• This approach has been successful in discovering novel
genes and alleles associated with various traits in
crops.
• GWAS provides valuable insights into the genetic basis
of complex traits and assists in the development of new
crop varieties

12. Achievements in crop improvement
RICE
• Improved Samba Mahsuri (Variety)
Trait improved:Bacterial blight resistance
1. Genes introgressed : xa5, xa13 and Xa21
2. Molecular markers used : SSR
3. Recurrent parent : Samba Mahsuri
4. Donor parent : SS1113 (a near-isogenic line of the variety PR106)
5. Salient features :
i. Resistant to bacterial blight
ii. High yield with excellent grain quality traits similar to Samba Mahsuri
iii. Low glycemic index (50.9) makes it suitable for consumption by Type II diabetic
patients
iv. Average grain yield: 55.0 q/ha
v. Maturity: 130 days (~10 days earlier than Samba Mahsuri)

13. • Improved Lalat (Variety)
Trait improved: Bacterial blight resistance
1. Genes introgressed : Xa4, xa5, xa13 and Xa21
2. Molecular markers used : STS
3. Recurrent parent : Lalat
4. Donor parent : IRBB 60
5. Salient features :
i. Four bacterial blight resistance genes pyramided leading to high
degree of resistance to bacterial blight
ii. Resistant to major pest like gall midge and moderately resistant to
stem borer
iii. Long slender grain type
iv. Average grain yield: 47.5 q/ha
v. Maturity: 130 days

14. • Pusa 6 (Pusa 1612) (Variety)
Trait improved: Blast resistance
1. Genes introgressed : Pi2 and Pi54
2. Molecular markers used : SSR
3. Recurrent parent : Pusa Sugandh 5
4. Donor parent : C101A51 (Pi2) and Tetep (Pi54) (near isogenic line in genetic
background of cultivar CO39)
5. Salient features :
i. Blast resistant variety of rice
ii. Extra-long slender translucent grain with 53% mean head rice recovery and strongly
aromatic with high kernel length of 15mm after cooking
iii. Alkali spreading score is 6.0 and amylose content is intermediate (24.53 %)
iv. Average grain yield: 50.7 q/ha
v. Maturity: 120 days

15. • Swarna Sub 1 (Variety)
Trait improved: Submergence tolerance
1. QTL introgressed : qSub1
2. Molecular markers used : SSR
3. Recurrent parent : Swarna
4. Donor parent : IR 49830-7-1-2-3 (FR13A)
5. Salient features :
i. Suitable for late planting with aged seedlings
ii. Tolerant to complete submergence up to 15-17 days
iii. Suitable for shallow low lands and flood prone areas
iv. Average grain yield: 52.5 q/ha
v. Maturity: 140 days

16. Wheat
• PBW 761 (Unnat PBW 550) (Variety)
Trait improved: Stripe rust resistance
1. Gene introgressed : Yr15
2. Molecular markers used : SSR
3. Recurrent parent : PBW 550
4. Donor parent : Avocet + Yr15
5. Salient features :
i. Very high level of resistance to stripe rust
ii. Bold and hard grain, suitable for processing at commercial level
iii. Suitable for medium late planting and provides better opportunity for rice
residue management as well as timely sowing of summer mung bean owing
to its early maturity
iv. Average grain yield: 57.5 q/ha
v. Maturity: 145 days

17. • PBW 723 (Unnat PBW 343) (Variety)
Traits improved: Stripe & leaf rust resistance
1. Genes introgressed : Yr17, Yr40, Lr37 and Lr57
2. Molecular markers used : SSR and CAPS
3. Recurrent parent : PBW 343
4. Donor parent : Aegilops umbellulata and Aegilops ventricosa
5. Salient features :
i. Country’s first wheat variety developed through MAS
ii. Carries five rust resistance genes at two loci- Yr17/Lr37/Sr38 from
Triticum ventricosum (syn. Aegilops ventricosa) on chromosome 2AL and
Yr40/Lr57 (or its allelic variants Yr70/Lr76) from Aegilops umbellulata on
chromosome 5DS
iii. Average grain yield: 58.0 q/ha
iv. Maturity: 155 days

18. Maize
• Vivek QPM9 (Hybrid)
Traits improved: Lysine & tryptophan
1. Gene introgressed : opaque2
2. Molecular markers used : SSR
3. Recurrent parents : CM212 and CM145 (parents of maize hybrid,
Vivek Maize Hybrid 9 )
4. Donor parents : CML180 and CML 170
5. Salient features :
i. Country’s first MAS-derived maize hybrid
ii. Quality protein maize (QPM) hybrid
iii. High lysine (4.19%) and tryptophan (0.83%) as compared to 1.5-
2.0% lysine and 0.3- 0.4% tryptophan in popular hybrids Average
grain yield: 52.0 q/ha
iv. Maturity: 88 day

19. • Pusa Vivek QPM9 Improved (Hybrid)
Trait improved: Provitamin-A
1. Gene introgressed : crtRB1
2. Molecular markers used : InDel
3. Recurrent parents : VQL1 and VQL2 (parents of maize hybrid, Vivek QPM-9)
4. Donor parents : HP465-43 and HP465-41
5. Salient features :
i. Country’s first provitamin-A rich multi-nutrient rich maize hybrid
ii. High provitamin-A (8.15 ppm) compared to 1-2 ppm in popular hybrids
iii. High lysine (2.67%) and tryptophan (0.74%) compared to 1.5-2.0% lysine and 0.3- 0.4%
tryptophan content in popular hybrids
iv. Average grain yield: 55.9 q/ha (Northern Hill Zone: NHZ) and 59.2 q/ha (Peninsular
Zone: PZ)
v. Maturity: 93 days (NHZ) and 83 days (PZ)

20. Pearl Millet
• HHB 67 Improved (Hybrid)
Trait improved: Downy mildew resistance
1. Genes introgressed : qRSg1 and qRSg4
2. Molecular markers used : RFLP
3. Recurrent parent : H 77/833-2 (male parent of hybrid, HHB 67)
4. Donor parent : ICMP 451
5. Salient features :
i. Country’s first MAS-derived cultivar
ii. Highly resistant to moisture stress
iii. Small bristles and thin stem
iv. Suitable for early, medium and late sowing
v. Average grain yield: 20.1 q/ha
vi. Maturity: 65 days

21. Chickpea
• Super Annigeri-1 (Variety)
Trait improved: Fusarium wilt resistance
1. Gene introgressed : foc4
2. Molecular markers used : SSR
3. Recurrent parent : Annigeri-1
4. Donor parent : WR-315 (ICC 8933)
5. Salient features :
i. Country’s first wilt resistant MAS-derived chickpea variety
ii. Medium seed size (18-20 g/100 seeds), angular seed shape and rough testa with
ribbing on seeds
iii. Average grain yield: 18.4 q/ha
iv. Maturity: 105 days

22. Soybean
• NRC 127 (Variety)
Trait improved: Kunitz trypsin inhibitor free
1. Genes introgressed : Null allele of KTi3
2. Molecular markers used : STS & SSR
3. Recurrent parent : JS 97-52
4. Donor parent : EC 481207 (PI542044 - A USDA line derived from Williams/PI 157440)
5. Salient features :
i. Country’s first Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) free variety in comparison to 30-45
mg/g of KTI in seed meal of popular varieties Š
ii. Oil content: 19.1 % and protein content: 39.0%
iii. Average grain yield: 18.0 q/ha Š
iv. Maturity: 104 days

23. • NRC 132 (Variety)
Trait improved: Less beany flavour
1. Genes introgressed : Null allele of lox2
2. Molecular markers used : STS & SSR
3. Recurrent parent : JS 97-52// PI 596540
4. Donor parent : PI 596540
5. Salient features :
i. Country’s first less beany flavour variety
ii. Oil content: 18% (SZ) and 19.7% (EZ)
iii. Protein content: 39.0%
iv. Average grain yield: 22.9 q/ha (SZ) and16.5 q/ha (EZ)
v. Maturity: 98 days (SZ) and 104 days (EZ)

24. Groundnut
• Girnar 4 (Variety)
Trait improved: Oleic acid
1. Genes introgressed : ahFAD2a and ahFAD2b
2. Molecular markers used : AS-PCR and CAPS
3. Pedigree : ICGV-06420//SunOleic 95R
4. Donor parent : SunOleic 95R
5. Salient features :
i. High oleic acid (78.5%)
ii. Moderately tolerance to late leaf spot, rust, stem rot and peanut bud
necrosis diseases
iii. Moderately tolerant to leaf hopper, leaf miner, thrips and Spodoptera
iv. Oil content: 53%
v. Protein content: 27%
vi. Average grain yield: 32.2 q/ha (pod) and 21.3 q/ha (kernel)
vii. Maturity: 112 days

25. Traits improved
Figure : Number of cultivars improved for various traits using molecular breeding

26. Combinations of traits improved
Figure : Number of cultivars improved for multiple traits using molecular breeding

27. Crops improved
Figure: Number of crops improved for various traits using molecular breeding

28. TimeLine
Figure : Number of MAS-derived varieties released in India year wise

29. Conclusion
• Molecular breeding is a gamechanger in crop improvement . It offer
faster , cheaper , and more precise methods to develop and improve
crops.
• Molecular breeding also brings new ethical , legal, and environmental
challenges that need to be addressed proactively.
• The future of molecular breeding looks promising with new
technologies and advancements on the horizon to meet the demands
of a growing population sustainably.

30. References
• www.icar.org.i
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_breeding
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2442525/
• https://iipr.icar.gov.in/pdf/molecularbulletins2may13.pdf

31. Thanky
ou