Open Access

REVIEW

Applications of Molecular Markers in Fruit Crops for Breeding Programs—A Review

Riaz Ahmad¹, Muhammad Akbar Anjum^1,*, Safina Naz¹, Rashad Mukhtar Balal²

1 Department of Horticulture, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan
2 Department of Horticulture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, 40100, Pakistan

* Corresponding Author: Muhammad Akbar Anjum. Email:

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2021, 90(1), 17-34. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2020.011680

Received 23 May 2020; Accepted 04 August 2020; Issue published 20 November 2020

Abstract

Selection and use of molecular markers for evaluation of DNA polymorphism in plants are couple of the most important approaches in the field of molecular genetics. The assessment of genetic diversity using morphological markers is not sufficient due to little differentiating traits among the species, genera or their individuals. Morphological markers are not only highly influenced by environmental factors but skilled assessment is also prerequisite to find the variations in plant genetic resources. Therefore, molecular markers are considered as efficient tools for detailed DNA based characterization of fruit crops. Molecular markers provide new directions to the efforts of plant breeders particularly in genetic variability, gene tags, gene localization, taxonomy, genetic diversity, phylogenetic analysis and also play an important role to decrease the time required for development of new and excellent cultivars. The success of molecular markers technology in genetic improvement programs depends on the close relationship among the plant breeders, biotechnologists, skilled manpower and good financial support. The present review describes application and success of molecular markers technology used for genetic improvement in different fruit crops.

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