Plant Gene and Traits 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 195-206 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 197 3.3 Examples of successful disease-resistant legume varieties developed through traditional breeding Several successful disease-resistant legume varieties have been developed through traditional breeding methods. Breeding programs have developed common bean varieties resistant to major diseases such as anthracnose, angular leaf spot, and common bacterial blight. These programs have utilized phenotypic selection and interspecific hybridization to achieve these results (Basavaraja et al., 2020). Disease-resistant lentil varieties have been developed using wide hybridization and induced mutagenesis. These varieties exhibit resistance to various diseases, contributing to improved productivity and resilience (Roy et al., 2023). Traditional breeding has led to the development of soybean varieties resistant to anthracnose, with quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identified for resistance, enabling marker-assisted selection (Figure 1) (Pandey et al., 2023). These examples highlight the potential of conventional breeding to develop disease-resistant legume varieties, although the integration of molecular tools can further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of these efforts. Figure 1 Schematic explanation of omics approaches used in future projects in the improvement of resistance/tolerant to legume anthracnose (PPI: protein-protein interaction; DIGE: differential gel electrophoresis; GC-MS: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) (Adopted from Pandey et al., 2023) 4 Introduction to Molecular Breeding 4.1 Definition and key principles of molecular breeding Molecular breeding refers to the application of molecular biology tools, particularly DNA markers, to assist in the selection and breeding of plants with desirable traits. This approach leverages advancements in genomics and biotechnology to enhance the efficiency and precision of traditional breeding methods. Key principles of molecular breeding include the identification and utilization of molecular markers linked to specific traits, the development of genetic maps, and the application of marker-assisted selection (MAS) to accelerate the breeding process (Varshney et al., 2013; Basavaraja et al., 2020). 4.2 Comparison between conventional and molecular breeding approaches Conventional breeding relies on phenotypic selection, which can be time-consuming and less precise due to the influence of environmental factors on trait expression. It typically involves crossing plants with desirable traits and selecting the best offspring over multiple generations, a process that can take several years (Basavaraja et al., 2020). In contrast, molecular breeding uses DNA markers to identify and select plants with the desired genetic traits at an early stage, significantly reducing the breeding cycle time. This method allows for the precise introgression of traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and improved yield (Varshney et al., 2013; Jha
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