Practical application of molecular markers in wheat breeding (review)

Recently, in the practical work of the breeder selection using markers (MAS) is becoming more widely used (selection using markers - MAS) - the use of DNA markers that are closely related to the loci that define the agronomically important features that makes it possible to reliably choose by genotype, excluding environmental influences. With their help, detailed molecular maps of the human genome and dozens of plant and animal species were compiled, on which the most important genes are used, determining the growth and development of organisms, morphological features, resistance to diseases and other properties. Molecular markers are widely used in evolutionary, comparative, classical and many other areas of genetics and genomics. They make it possible to establish the genetic basis of phenotypic variability and to develop strategies for identifying chromosome loci that determine the manifestation of quantitative genes, the so-called QTL (Quantitative trait locs). The use of molecular markers significantly speeds up the selection process (Altukhov et al., 2002; Bannikova, 2004; Sulimova, 2004; Smaragdov, 2009; Matveeva et al., 2011; Khlestkina, 2011; Khlestkina, 2013). The use of molecular markers has expanded the limits of possibilities for obtaining results in the field of biology and agricultural production since the end of the second half of the 20th century. In the field of evolutionary genetics, the use of molecular markers in comparative mapping allows you to localize the structural changes in the genome that occurred in the process of diversification of the genera and plant families. In classical genetics with the use of molecular markers, it became possible to systematically analyze factors affecting the frequency and spectrum of genetic recombination, and in population genetics not only to determine genetic diversity, but also to measure existing gene drift. Molecular and other genetic markers have been used in quantitative genetics. They make it possible to establish the genetic basis of phenotypic variability and develop strategies for identifying chromosome loci that determine the manifestation of quantitative genes, the so-called QTLs. In addition, genetic markers gave impetus to the development of such practical areas as assistance in the selection of markers, which has already become an effective tool for enhancing the economically valuable qualities of cultivated plants and farm animals (Chesnokov, 2013).