Vol. 8, Special Issue 12, Part C (2024)

Conventional field selection methods struggle to identify desirable recombinants due to environmental and genetic factors affecting traits with low heritability. Fortunately, advances in molecular genetics, genomics, and biotechnology enable breeders to tackle challenging and costly traits. To breed for disease resistance, they must: screen elite germplasm (including commercial scions and rootstocks) against diseases, assess genetic variation, explore wild germplasm and related species if necessary, introgress genes between and within species, select suitable segregants with transgressive traits, and release scions and rootstocks for commercial cultivation.