title: The use of molecular genetics in the improvement of agricultural populations.
abstract: Substantial advances have been made in the genetic improvement of agriculturally important animal and plant populations through artificial selection on quantitative traits. Most of this selection has been on the basis of observable phenotype, without knowledge of the genetic architecture of the selected characteristics. However, continuing molecular genetic analysis of traits in animal and plant populations is leading to a better understanding of quantitative trait genetics. The genes and genetic markers that are being discovered can be used to enhance the genetic improvement of breeding stock through marker-assisted selection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, 225 Kildee Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA. j.dekkers@iastate.edu
authors.forename: Jack C M
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dekkers
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hospital
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008967:Molecular Biology; D010641:Phenotype; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012641:Selection, Genetic
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers