"Single-seed-descent " is a
method to rapidly fix genes in breeding lines and
is commonly used by plant breeders in the
northern hemisphere. Once the F1 is
grown out, it involves descending one seed per
plant each generation. By growing out multiple
generations per year it is then possible to
advance a population to a genetically stable
generation in a much shorter time than
conventional plant breeding methods that
generally use only one generation per year.
Advantages
of SSD over conventional plant breeding methods:
- Time from
cross to release reduced by approximately
two years
- The
success of crosses can be monitored and
selection pressure to populations
adjusted accordingly
- More
opportunity to select for desirable
traits before lines are fixed
- Greater
proportion of lines with desirable traits
being bulked for yield testing
Advantages of SSD over double-haploids:
- Increased
opportunity for recombination
- Greater
proportion of lines with desirable traits
being bulked for yield testing
- Lines can
be produced at less than half the cost of
double-haploids
Timing is one of the most important issues that need to be considered when a breeder plans to use SSD to its best advantage. It is possible to design a programme that will cater for either an autumn or spring crossing block and deliver seed grown from either the F4 or F5 depending on the requirements of the individual plant breeder. Examples of the time frame involved are outlined below:
Time frames for use of SSD |
Crossing Block |
Autumn |
Spring |
F1 Sown |
June |
October |
F2 Sown |
October |
January |
F3 Sown |
January |
April |
F4 Sown |
April |
August |
F4 Harvest |
August |
December |
For further
information on the CBS range of services and the
costs associated please refer to the contact, quote or more information pages.
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