Molecular genome analysis of sugar beet Benefits for the breeders

The genome describes the entire hereditary information of an organ-ism. Until 10 years ago, the genome of the sugar beet had hardly been explored. Since then, a large number of genes in the sugar beet genome have been mapped with the aid of molecular markers. Such markers can greatly facilitate the breeder s selection of valuable traits. Moreover, they are the basis for the molecular recording of the traits (cloning). The German plant genome project GABI is responsible, among other things, for registering the molecular structure of certain sections of the sugar beet genome and for developing new marker systems. To this end, the GABI BEET project has been estab-lished by plant breeding firms, sugar companies and research insti-tutes. The results will have consequences for practical plant breed-ing, in that plants can be bred quicker and more efficiently. In addi-tion, it will be possible to alter and optimise certain important crop traits by genetic engineering.