Using traditional selection methods and in-field experimentation alongside the latest innovations developed by the bio-molecular marking laboratory enables continual improvement of hybrid performance and agility. Breeding work is better directed and targeted and is faster, too.

Advantages of new breeding technologies

In-field experimentation is vital to the breeding process. It enables new hybrids to be exposed to real-life growing conditions so that their value can be assessed.

In addition, breeders also have several methods and tools available to them which add considerably to the scope for improving and creating varieties: in vitro culture, molecular marking and gene transfer.

These new techniques and technologies offer several advantages:

More thorough exploration of genetic diversity.

Genome characterisation : molecular marking techniques make traditional breeding operations faster and more accurate.

Reduced production times

Molecular marking

Molecular marking is a sophisticated technology enabling the following:

• recording and protecting lines by carrying out genetic fingerprinting,
• identifying and monitoring the genes involved in expressing specific agronomical and technological characteristics

By matching gene locations and their agronomical characteristics (yield, initial vigour, etc.), these characteristics may be selected without the plant necessarily being grown.

Molecular markers SSR or SNP

They are SSR or SNP types of molecular markers to realize genetic map:

High technology equipment

Analysis of samples need particularly powerful equipment according to the different types of analysis.

Sequencer 3730 for capillary electrophoresis:

Quantitative PCR (left) and plaque reader (right) respectively used for real time PCR and endpoint reading: