Heterosis Prediction Using DNA Markers

Abstract

Hybrids are commercially successful in many crops, including sorghum. Development of hybrids through the exploitation of heterosis involves evaluation of hundreds of test crosses in the field, making it input and resource intensive. Therefore, plant breeders are interested in methods that can forecast the potential parental combinations so that only limited test crosses can be evaluated for heterosis. The availability of genomic tools such as DNA markers and gene expression platforms has encouraged research groups globally to work toward the prediction of heterosis. Once DNA markers for the prediction of heterosis are identified, potential parental combinations can be predicted by DNA marker-based analysis, thereby increasing the speed of hybrid development without large-scale field evaluation. Whole transcriptome and metabolome analyses will help in dissecting the genes or metabolic networks involved in heterosis. Advanced genomic tools along with mathematical modeling offer excellent opportunities for the development of simple and reliable methods for the prediction of heterosis. This chapter critically discusses the different methods of heterosis prediction, recent trends, factors affecting heterosis prediction and the impact of prediction in the development of hybrids.