R&D

Since the beginning of the 20th century it is possible to culture plant cells from different organs/tissues in vitro (lat.: in glass). Specifically, different ways to obtain so called doubled haploid (pure breeding) lines were discovered and developed into standard procedures.

Doubled haploid (DH) plants have many advantages. They possess a doubled, identical and therefore pure breeding chromosome set. Those plants can be produced by several technologies. In cereal breeding mainly anther/microspore culture and the regeneration of haploid plantlets by wide crosses (still intensively applied in wheat) are commonly used. By performing marker tests on donor plants or on DH plantlets significant cost minimization is possible.
Besides the traditional plant breeding method of pedigree breeding Saatzucht Josef Breun is working with doubled haploid technologies.

After fertilization of the egg cell it is possible to dissect the developing germling in the in vitro laboratory and to further cultivate it. Using this approach seed maturity can be reached earlier and subsequently specific breeding programs can be better synchronized and accelerated with the support of greenhouses (optimization of sowing time, use of different geographical regions).

Many molecular genetic technologies have been developed since the 1980s. While these were initially very expensive and only a few samples could be analyzed per day, the so-called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/pcr/) revolutionized research and enabled widespread application. As a result, many easily inherited breeding traits can now be selected in the laboratory, often at low cost. Various chip-based technologies can now generate many millions of data points per day. Plant genome research (especially genome sequencing) and the associated bioinformatics and biostatistics methods are therefore becoming increasingly important in plant breeding. This means that it is more and more possible to select breeding targets in the laboratory that are inherited in a complex manner.

Since 1998 Saatzucht Josef Breun GmbH & Co. KG has had its own protein electrophoresis laboratory and a DNA laboratory since 2006, where analyses are carried out using molecular markers (https://www.pflanzenforschung.de/de/pflanzenwissen/lexikon-a-z/molekulare-marker-1628) for marker-assisted selection (https://www.pflanzenforschung.de/de/pflanzenwissen/journal/was-ist-markergestuetzte-selektion-11020). Important breeding objectives selected in the laboratory using these technologies are, for example, resistance to viruses of the Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus (BaMMV/BaYMV) complex and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) in winter barley. In spring barley, for example, traits such as Scald resistance, Leaf Rust resistance, Powdery Mildew resistance and quality traits (enzyme activities, GN content) are analyzed. In wheat, for example, various dwarfing genes and resistance/tolerance to eyespot, yellow rust, Fusarium and the Soil-Borne Wheat Mosaic Virus (SBWMV) can be detected. Other applications of molecular markers include studies of genetic distance (kinship analysis) and marker-assisted backcrossing of exotic germplasm.

In addition to homogeneity analyses of barley and wheat breeding material as part of maintenance breeding, the protein electrophoresis laboratory also carries out quality analyses (baking quality) of wheat.

Saatzucht Josef Breun owns a biotechnological lab with state of the art equipment for molecular genetic analyses. For the performance of R&D experiments and for the time and climate independent production and propagation of seeds Saatzucht Josef Breun has access to own greenhouses, climate chambers, and vernalization cabinets.

Many employees of Saatzucht Josef Breun are active members in the Society for Plant Breeding.

Saatzucht Josef Breun GmbH & Co. KG is member of the GFPi (Gemeinschaft zur Förderung von Pflanzeninnovation e.V., Society for the promotion of plant innovation).

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Genomic selection is a modern method of plant breeding based on genomic information. It represents an important additional pillar alongside traditional breeding methods, which are based on phenotypic characteristics and parentage information. Through the combined application of genomic selection and traditional breeding methods, it is possible to accelerate breeding progress and increase the efficiency of a breeding program.

Basic principles of genomic selection

1. genotyping: The first phase of genomic selection is genotyping, in which the plant's DNA is analyzed. This is done by analyzing many DNA markers distributed throughout the genome. Modern techniques such as genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) or SNP chips (single nucleotide polymorphism) enable the efficient and cost-effective detection of thousands to millions of genetic markers.
2. phenotypic evaluation: Parallel to genotyping, the detailed phenotypic evaluation of a large number of plants is carried out. This evaluation includes the recording of traits such as yield, disease resistance, tolerance to abiotic stress factors (e.g. drought) and quality characteristics (e.g. suitability for baking, suitability for brewing).
3. modelling and prediction: A prediction model is created based on the genetic and phenotypic data collected. This model, using statistical methods such as ridge regression BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction), links the genetic markers to the observed phenotypic traits. The model can then be used to predict the genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) of new plants that have not yet been phenotypically evaluated.
4. selection: The plants with the highest GEBVs are selected for the next breeding generation. Since genotyping can be done at a very early stage of plant development, it is possible to select faster and more efficiently without having to wait for the full phenotypic evaluation.

Advantages of genomic selection

• Acceleration of breeding progress: By predicting the best breeding candidates based on their genomic information, the time between generations can be reduced. This is particularly important for plant species with long generation cycles.
• Increased precision: GS enables a more precise selection of breeding candidates as it takes into account the entire genetic information and not just selected markers or phenotypic traits.
• Cost efficiency: In the long term, the cost of phenotypic evaluation can be reduced as fewer plants need to be extensively tested. Initial investment in genotyping technologies may be offset by increased efficiency and faster breeding progress.
• Diversity and sustainability: By incorporating a broad genetic base and targeted selection, rare but valuable alleles can be incorporated into the breeding process, helping to preserve genetic diversity.

Applications and challenges
Genomic selection is already being used successfully in the breeding of several crops, including maize, wheat, rice and soybean. It can help improve yield, quality, tolerance to environmental conditions and resistance to disease.
However, challenges remain, notably the high initial cost of genotyping and the need for large and well-characterized reference populations. In addition, the efficient use of GS requires the integration of expertise in genetics, statistics and bioinformatics.

Conclusion
Genomic selection is a revolutionary tool in modern plant breeding that can significantly increase the efficiency and accuracy of breeding processes. By using comprehensive genetic information, it enables faster and more targeted progress in the development of new plant varieties that meet the increasing demands for yield, quality and sustainability.
Saatzucht Josef Breun has been using genomic selection in its breeding programs for a number of years to inform selection and crossing decisions. To this end, many thousands of breeding lines are genotyped each year using SNP chips. The data is analyzed in-house.DeepL.com (free version)