Details for Marker-assisted selection to improve drought adaptation in maize: the backcross approach, perspectives, limitations, and alternatives

Ribaut J-M and Ragot M (2007). Marker-assisted selection to improve drought adaptation in maize: the backcross approach, perspectives, limitations, and alternatives. Journal of Experimental Botany 58(2):351–360. (DOI: 10.1007/s11032-006-9041-2).

A number of different marker-assisted selection (MAS) approaches do exist for the improvement of polygenic traits. Results of a marker-assisted backcross (MABC) selection experiment aimed at improving grain yield under drought conditions in tropical maize are presented and compared with alternative MAS strategies. The introgression of favourable alleles at five target regions involved in the expression of yield components and flowering traits increased grain yield and reduced the asynchrony between male and female flowering under water-limited conditions.