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ARS Home » Midwest Area » East Lansing, Michigan » Sugarbeet and Bean Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #165822

Title: GENETIC ANALYSIS OF AGRONOMIC TRAITS IN SUGARBEET

Author
item McGrath, Jon

Submitted to: Annual Beet Sugar Development Foundation Executive Report
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2004
Publication Date: 6/30/2004
Citation: McGrath, J.M. 2004. Genetic analysis of agronomic traits in sugarbeet. 2003 Annual Beet Sugar Development Foundation Executive Report. p.19.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The genetics of agronomic traits in sugar beet are not well defined but a comprehensive understanding of these traits is critical for effective breeding of improved cultivars. Current breeding approaches have been very successful in selecting for improved agronomic performance. Different levels of expression of a trait in changing environments require extensive repetition of field selections to assure a trait has been fixed in a breeding line. We have been constructing sugar beet breeding populations that differ in specific traits in anticipation of using DNA markers to tag the specific regions of the sugar beet genome that contribute to an economically important trait. Knowledge of the inheritance of traits, marking traits with DNA markers, and isolating and characterizing the genes in both their genomic and expressed contexts will allow breeders to precisely access, transfer, and predict performance of additional genetic diversity present in sugarbeet and its wild allies.