Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Tools and Impact in Plant Breeding

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of plant genomes provides opportunities to understand the genetic makeup and behavior of plant genomes. Plant whole genome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing and exome sequencing will allow discovering agronomically-important genes that regulate yield and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The availability of the genome and transcriptome sequence data helps in the development of genetic markers. At present, available NGS tools are powerful enough to provide high-resolution analysis of plant genomes. NGS generates huge amounts of sequenced data in a cost-effective manner and allows profiling for nucleotide variation and large-scale discovery of functional markers. These markers will help in selection of economically-important traits in plant breeding. Plant breeding has been beneficial in developing improved varieties using conventional tools, techniques and methodologies. The availability of NGS tools and online resources is leading to a gene revolution of plant breeding, as they facilitate the study of the genome and its relationship with the phenome for complex traits. The analyses of NGS data allow plant breeders to discover regulatory sequences and their relative positions and subsequent development of molecular markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS).