Application of Molecular Markers to Avocado Improvement

Employing a molecular marker-guided methodology can accelerate the breeding of Avocado. One advantage of the molecular approach is that it eliminates the step of growing seedlings to mature trees: instead, seedlings are screened for the presence of markers correlated with desirable traits. The benefits to the industry are thus (1) a method that greatly accelerates the genetic improvement of cultivated avocado, (2) a deeper understanding of the genetic determination of complex traits of commercial value, and (3) an abundant source of molecular markers for a wide variety of applications in avocado improvement.