Development of a Molecular Breeding Strategy for the Integration of Transgenic Traits in Outcrossing Perennial Grasses

Pieter Badenhorst,Kevin Smith,German Spangenberg

doi:10.3390/agronomy6040056

Pieter Badenhorst, Kevin Smith + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy6040056

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Abstract

Molecular breeding tools, such as genetic modification, provide forage plant breeders with the opportunity to incorporate high value traits into breeding programs which, in some cases, would not be available using any other methodology. Despite the potential impact of these traits, little work has been published that seeks to optimize the strategies for transgenic breeding or incorporate transgenic breeding with other modern genomics-assisted breeding strategies. As the number of new genomics assisted breeding tools become available it is also likely that multiple tools may be used within the one breeding program. In this paper we propose a strategy for breeding genetically-modified forages using perennial ryegrass as an example and demonstrate how this strategy may be linked with other technologies, such as genomic selection. Whilst the model used is perennial ryegrass the principles outlined are valid for those designing breeding strategies for other outcrossing forage species.

Highlights

Introduction“Roundup Ready” alfalfa was the first, and currently only, commercially available transgenic forage in the world [1], with a large range of transgenic traits being developed in a number of different forage species including white clover, subterranean clover, alfalfa, Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, red fescue, creeping bentgrass, bahiagrass, and switchgrass
For novel forage traits to efficiently reachcost the ofmarketplace, newand breeding programswith must evolve that optimize the rate of genetic gain, implementation, are compatible evolve that optimize the rate of genetic gain, cost of implementation, and are compatible with current commercial breeding practices
Genetic simulation allows the modelling of multiple current commercial breeding practices.as has Genetic simulation allows theformodelling of multiple genomic selection of scenarios before they are implemented, recently been demonstrated perennial ryegrass challenges existrecently for transgenic breeding strategies with the added scenarios before they[13]

Summary

Introduction

“Roundup Ready” alfalfa was the first, and currently only, commercially available transgenic forage in the world [1], with a large range of transgenic traits being developed in a number of different forage species including white clover, subterranean clover, alfalfa, Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, red fescue, creeping bentgrass, bahiagrass, and switchgrass. These traits include forage quality, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, and the manipulation of growth and development [1,2,3,4,5].

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