Genomic Selection Speeds Breeding for Better Grain Quality

By Andi Anderson

Researchers are using advanced genomic techniques to make breeding for grain quality faster, more accurate, and less expensive.

A team led by small grains researcher Juan David Arbelaez-Velez developed a method called marker-assisted multi-trait genomic selection (MT-GS) to help breeders improve several grain traits at the same time.

Grain quality includes attributes like appearance, cooking time, texture, and milling performance. Traditionally, breeders evaluate crop yield and quality separately, which can be slow and costly.

By predicting quality traits early using genomic data, breeders can focus only on the most promising varieties.

MT-GS uses the entire genome to predict multiple traits at once, rather than focusing on single genes. To make predictions even more accurate, the team added known genetic markers linked to traits such as texture and cooking time. This combination significantly improved prediction power—by up to ten times for certain traits.

The method allows breeders to target both productivity and market preferences. For example, some countries prefer slightly stickier rice, while others want firmer grains. By identifying genes linked to these preferences, breeders can tailor crops to different markets.

Arbelaez first applied the method to oats, improving prediction accuracy by around 50%. Seeing similar success with rice, he believes it can work for other small grains and even vegetable crops.

High-quality grain is in growing demand worldwide, as consumers, millers, and farmers all seek better performance. Millers want grains that resist breaking during processing, while consumers look for good taste and texture. Farmers need crops that yield well and can withstand pests and drought.

Arbelaez stressed the importance of international collaboration and funding to support this research. The study used rice samples from Latin America and built on work done at the International Rice Research Institute.

“This approach helps breeders meet quality goals early in the process and could benefit many other crops,” Arbelaez said. “It’s a powerful tool for the future of agriculture.”

Photo Credit: gettyimages-giovanni1232