摘要：The development of molecular markers allows plant breeders to identify desirable traits by analysing DNA rather than undertaking field trials or laboratory tests. This capacity provides a potential for a significant changes to occur within plant breeding programs. However, the value of marker-assisted selection varies with the trait assessed, the type of marker and the stage in the breeding program at which it is applied. In order to provide plant breeders with a basis for assessing the role of marker-assisted selection, the issues of which markers to apply and when to apply are analysed.
