MM1.5: Molecular characterization of cotton germplasm using DNA markers

Germplasm which represents the entire variability available in crop species is the basic material with which plant breeder has to initiate crop improvement programme. Effective breeding and selection strategies could be adopted once molecular markers linked to specific trait/s are identified. Modern technologies such as gene tagging and marker aided selection are additional tools for crop improvement specialists. Molecular markers have gained more significance with globalization and introduction of Plant Variety Protection. With this in view it is essential to document and catalogue our existing germplasm using molecular markers which are also environmentally stable and reliable. In addition molecular cataloguing helps in avoiding conservation of duplicates if any in the germplasm.

OBJECTIVES

• Standardization of PCR conditions for STMS primers and for known molecular tags for economic traits.
• Molecular characterization of cotton germplasm using PCR based markers and known molecular tags for economic traits.
• Cataloguing of cotton germplasm accessions based on molecular marker data and using molecular tags for economic traits and diversity analysis.

Name of the Lead Center: NRC on DNA finger Printing, New Delhi

Co-operating Centers: CICR, Nagpur