Molecular markers in pea breeding – a review

The pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important agricultural plant with a rich history of genetic research. The development of ‘scientific’ breeding methodologies in the first half of the twentieth century was based partly on the application of genetic theory following the rediscovery of Mendel's Laws, but mostly on developing procedures for systematic phenotypic selection. During the last few decades, the use of molecular markers, revealing polymorphism at the DNA level, has been playing an increasing part in plant breeding. The development of high-density molecular maps which has been facilitated by PCR-based markers, have made the mapping and tagging of almost any trait possible. Marker-assisted selection has the potential to deploy favorable gene combinations for desirable trait. This review discusses the current use of available genetic marker technologies in pea breeding and provides an outlook for use of new technologies.