Genetic associations of morphological, biochemical, and DNA markers with
economically important traits can be used for indirect selection of the
traits. Chromosomal linkage between pseudo-black chaff and the stemrust
resistance gene Sr2, and between the red glume gene
(Rg1) and the stripe rust resistance gene
Yr10, have been used in this way for many years.
Similarly, linkages between disease resistance genes, such as
Sr38,Lr37, and
Yr17, have been used to achieve resistance to multiple
diseases while selection is performed for resistance to one disease. Alleles
at the Glu loci, assessed as protein differences, have
been used as predictors of dough strength. More recently, DNA markers have
been developed and used, especially to select for resistance to cereal cyst
nematode, a trait which is difficult and expensive to assess with conventional
bioassays. We found that the major use of DNA markers was for selection for
traits of substantial economic importance, which were primarily determined by
a single gene, and where the non-marker assay was expensive and unreliable.
The other uses of markers were for pyramiding several genes influencing one
trait, or for rapid backcrossing.