Marker Assisted Selection (MAS): Molecular Approaches for Seed Quality Detection in Agriculture

As the world's population increases, which is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, the challenge of meeting global food needs is increasing. One way that is considered effective to face this challenge is through increasing food production, especially plant breeding.

The main goal of plant breeding is to increase crop yields. Secondary goals include improving quality, developing cultivars that are not affected by photoperiod and temperature conditions, resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, synchronous maturity, water and nutrient use efficiency, elimination of toxic substances, and different plant age groups for high agricultural yields and sustainable development.

Advances in understanding molecular genetics have significantly increased the efficiency of plant breeding. A new era of molecular breeding has begun with the use of Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), which is the manipulation of genomic regions associated with desired traits through DNA markers.

MAS has been shown to increase the efficiency and accuracy of selection of desired plant traits. In this article, we will discuss in more depth the definition of MAS and some examples of its applications in the world of agriculture.

What is Marker Assisted Selection (MAS)?

Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) is a method in plant breeding that uses DNA markers to help select plants with desired superior traits. These DNA markers are often specific sequences in the plant genome.

DNA markers are usually closely linked to desired traits, such as disease resistance, tolerance to extreme environmental conditions, or higher yields. In MAS, these markers are used as indicators to select plants that have genes that control these traits.

MAS helps identify the best genome from the generation being selected and is commonly used in breeding programs for genetic improvement, especially in determining the dominant or recessive alleles desired from one generation to the next.

This method has significant advantages compared to traditional phenotypic selection methods that are only based on physical appearance or plant yield. In phenotypic selection, the process is often influenced by the environment, which makes the selection results less consistent.

MAS works by detecting genetic markers that are definitely linked to certain traits, allowing for a faster, more precise selection process that is less influenced by environmental variation.

MAS also allows selection at an early stage of plant growth, even before the phenotypic traits are fully visible. This greatly speeds up the process of plant breeding, which usually takes years under conventional methods.

Application of Marker Assisted Selection in Agriculture

The MAS method in the agricultural world can be applied in the process of detecting seed quality at the beginning of plant breeding. This method has been widely applied to various agricultural commodities. Here are some agricultural commodities that have used this method.

**Rice (*Oryza sativa***)

In the Hokkaido rice breeding program, MAS is used to develop varieties resistant to diseases such as bacterial blight and blast. For example, the rice varieties Oborozuki and Yumepirika are registered with improved flavor due to reduced amylose content, achieved through MAS.

MAS helps manage genetic diversity within the local gene pool by introducing exotic germplasm. This approach is particularly useful in improving traits such as plant architecture and seed quality.

**Wheat (*Triticum aestivum***)

In wheat breeding, MAS is used to develop resistant varieties to diseases such as leaf rust, stripe rust, and stem rust. For example, markers such as Lr22a, QYr.AYH-5BL, and Sr13 have been linked to resistance genes, facilitating the selection of disease-resistant lines through MAS.

Wheat varieties have been developed with improved tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought and cold using MAS. For example, markers such as TaWRKY51 and Fr-A2 have been linked to drought and cold tolerance.

MAS is also applied to improve yield-related traits in wheat. For example, markers linked to grain protein content (GPC) have been used to increase GPC by 0.8–1.1% in some breeding lines.

**Maize (*Zea mays***)

Although specific examples for maize are less detailed, MAS is commonly applied in maize breeding for traits such as disease resistance, yield enhancement, and tolerance to abiotic stress. The principles of MAS in maize breeding are similar to those for other crops, involving the use of DNA markers to select for desired traits.

You cannot conduct seed testing using the MAS method anywhere. However, it is mandatory to partner with independent testing institutions that have laboratories accredited to international and national quality standards. IML Testing and Research has been directly accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture's decree. In addition, it is already ISO 9100 and ISO/IEC 17025 quality standard certified.

References

Collard, B.C., & Mackill, D.J. (2008). Marker-assisted selection: an approach for precision plant breeding in the twenty-first century. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 363(1491): 557-72. Doi: 10.1098/rstb.2007.2170.

Fujino, K., Hirayama, Y., & Kaji, R. (2019). Marker-assisted selection in rice breeding programs in Hokkaido. Breed Sci, 69(3): 383-392. Doi: 10.1270/jsbbs.19062.

Kumawat, G., Kumawat, C.K., Kailash, C., Saurabh, P., Subhash, C., Udit, N.M., Devidutta, L., & Rohit, S. (2021). Insights into Marker Assisted Selection and Its Applications in Plant Breeding (Chapter 11). IntechOpen: 175-195. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.95004.

Mohan, S., Bairwa, R.K., & Alamgir. (2024). Marker Assisted Selestion: Concept and Role in Crop Improvement (Chapter 4). AkiNik Publications TM: 59-71. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377534544.

Song, L., Wang, R., Yang, X., Zhang, A., & Liu, D. (2023). Molecular Markers and Their Applications in Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Agriculture, 13(3):642. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030642.