Smart breeding

A breeding technique which uses molecular biological methods

Smart breeding basically works in a similar way to traditional breeding. However, unlike traditional methods, in smart breeding the gene or gene variant responsible for a specific trait can be accurately identified using molecular biological procedures (DNA sequencing, PCR). It is then possible to test the offspring of a cross for the presence of the crossed gene, even before the actual trait is signalled by a changed external appearance. Only those plants which contain the desired gene are then grown on.
The purpose of this is to introduce into crop plants genes from e.g. wild populations which confer characteristics of interest to breeders (disease resistance, fruit colour or sugar content).