Genomic Selection for Quantitative Disease Resistance in Plants

In view of current focus for improvement of crop varieties for disease resistance the adoption of genomic aided plant breeding is growing as an important approach. Till date lots of research has been done in the field of crop improvement for disease resistance using both conventional and molecular breeding approach. Major chunk of research for developing disease resistant variety, concentrated on major gene resistant for biotic stress but this type of resistance is more prone to breakdown with frequent changes in pathogenic strain. On other hand, more stable and broad spectrum resistance can be achieved by breeding varieties resistance for minor quantitative genes. Genomic selection is most convenient approach in molecular plant breeding for developing plant varieties resistant to quantitative disease resistance. This approach enhance genetic gain in the selecting individuals by exploring whole genome sequence data to calculate breeding value of progeny. The selection is based on adoption of genomic selection methodology and whole genome prediction model while using GS for yield and other economical traits. Although GS is a promising tool for genetic improvement of quantitative traits through reduction of breeding cycle but its efficiency in crop breeding programme could be increased by optimization of models regarding analysis of interaction between genotype and environment to improve predication accuracy. This could be gained by combining GS with different novel platforms like genotyping, phenotyping and speed breeding speed up the pace of genomic selection aided breeding procedure and higher genetic gain in context of per unit time.