Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping for Crop Plants

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advances in crop phenotyping and genotyping has brought about new abilities to effectively identify QTL in genomic regions associated with important plant traits. The increasing number of molecular markers available for a broadening range of crops and the ease and lowering cost of genotyping has allowed many plant breeders to re-evaluate how they use markers for both research and selection. Couple this with emerging technologies which enhance the ability to phenotype for complex traits, and our ability to identify QTL associated with important traits has significantly increased.

We have found that identification of QTL is not the end-point, but that validation of these QTL in diverse genetic backgrounds plays an essential role in understanding their usefulness in plant breeding. Identification and validation of QTL for important traits across crop plants allows useful and efficient ways to do marker-assisted selection and to combine this with genomic selection methods. As we continue to identify and validate QTL, and as genomic technologies and methods continue to progress, plant breeders will have the tools necessary to select for traits important to their respective crops.

This Special Issue will focus on “Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping for Crop Plants”. We welcome novel research and reviews which provide information on novel QTL, new markers associated with useful QTL, and QTL validation, on a variety of traits and crops, which will provide the molecular marker tools necessary for plant breeders to employ genomic informed selection of new varieties.

Dr. Arron H. Carter
Guest Editor

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