Foundational aspects of 21 century crop improvement: Biotechnology, genomic applications, and traditional breeding practices

The sizeable investments in genomic studies at the DNA, RNA, protein, and metabolic pathway levels must ultimately provide return in terms of more efficiency in developing improved crop hybrids and varieties. The particular genomic application of molecular markers can be considered a ‘window into the genotype’. By incorporating molecular marker information with phenotypic information as the basis for selection decisions, increases in rate of genetic gain and greater efficiencies in a plant breeding program can be achieved. A key issue is the integration of the technology into the breeding program as a vital component, and its focused application to both overall and specific objectives (Bernardo, 2008; Collard and Mackill, 2008; Xu and Crouch, 2008; Eathington et al., 2007). The technology must be considered as another tool available to the breeder to meet his/her goals for plant improvement.