Using markers for prediction of performance and breeding value has allowed for increased genetic gain within breeding programs by increasing the selection intensity and eliminating breeding cycles, increasing efficiency during variety development. For example, the high oleic trait can be combined much more easily and efficiently into new high-yielding conventional varieties as they are identified, developed, and tested by the breeding program by using molecular markers, which improves the efficiently during variety development, assures quality control of introgressed traits, and ultimately reduces the time needed from research and development to products on the market.

The objectives of this project are to 1) facilitate marker assisted selection (MAS) for introgression of quality traits (i.e. high-oleic low-linolenic soybean) and disease resistance traits (i.e. SCN resistance) into the breeding program for variety development, 2) increase the breeding efficiency for developing new varieties by using genomic prediction of breeding value for experimental line and parental selection, and to 3) develop and utilize new molecular markers for emerging beneficial traits (i.e. LL55).

The main goal of the project is to improve the efficiency and quality control of the soybean breeding program, thereby assuring the continuous release of novel soybean varieties for Missouri farmers while maximizing limited resources.

An applied molecular breeding lab will facilitate the introgression of genes controlling desirable traits in the backcrossing program, as well as selection in forward crossing programs.

Updated April 27, 2021:
Currently, there is a major investment by public and private company breeding programs to use molecular marker data for predicting the performance and breeding value, or usefulness, of experimental lines within the breeding populations as well as for parental selection. Prediction of performance and breeding value has allowed for increased genetic gain within breeding programs by increasing the selection intensity and eliminating breeding cycles, and thereby increasing efficiency during variety development.

Modern plant breeding utilizes molecular biology techniques and data to improve efficiency during the breeding process
and to assure quality control. In the past, the soybean breeding program at MU did not fully utilize molecular data for parental selection or for prediction of breeding value during the development of experimental lines. This was traditionally due to the lack of a centralized facility and appropriate equipment with experienced staff for collecting and analyzing molecular data. With the investment over the last years from MSMC and MSA into the Bay Farm Research Facility, we now have access to much of what is needed to create a centralized applied molecular breeding lab for the soybean breeding program at MU.

The investment into a molecular breeding project will assure continued success for the breeding program by increasing efficiency, improving quality control, and decreasing the time involved in getting new varieties to the market.