Gene-Associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Discovery in Perennial Ryegrass (\u3cem\u3eLolium Perenne\u3c/em\u3e L.)

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is the most important grass species for temperate pasture systems world-wide. Varietal improvement programs for this obligate outbreeding species are based on polycrossing of multiple parents to produce heterogeneous synthetic populations. The complexity of breeding systems creates challenges and opportunities for molecular marker technology development and implementation. Previous research has led to: the generation of a comprehensive suite of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, reference genetic map construction, comparative genetic studies, QTL identification, and population structure analysis. Emphasis has now shifted from the use of anonymous genetic markers linked to trait-specific genes to the development of functionally-associated genetic markers based on candidate genes. The successful implementation of this approach will allow effective selection of parental plants in germplasm collections based on superior allele content