R&D
Among the different research lines developed
by Ploidy & Genomics®, must be highlighted:
PLANT GENETIC IMPROVEMENT
To carry it out, it is crucial to identify the traits of interest in the original genetic material. Marker-assisted selection allows early identification of the traits of interest in order to, subsequently, fix them in the parental lines that will be used to generate high-yielding homogeneous hybrid varieties
MICROPROPAGATION
Plant propagation through in vitro culture of different plant organs. By means of this technique it is possible to produce a high number of plants genetically identical to the specimen from which they come.
PLANT
SANITATION
In vitro-production of virus-free plant material. Through this technique it is possible to obtain healthy plants, even if they come from an infected individual.
DEVELOPMENT
OF IN VITRO
PLANT REGENERATION
PROTOCOLS
Plant regeneration is considered an essential step for in vitro culture techniques employed in plant breeding such as large-scale micropropagation of selected elite clones, development of polyploid varieties with enhanced levels of secondary metabolites, or production of transgenic plants.
PRODUCTION OF
POLYPLOID PLANTS
Obtention of plants with more than two complete sets of chromosomes. These plants can enhance their capacity to produce secondary metabolites, or be employed in breeding programs to produce seedless fruits.
DEVELOPMENT OF
DOUBLE HAPLOIDS
Beyond the influence that the pollen grain has in traditional breeding, it takes exclusive prominence in androgenesis. Through this technique it is possible to obtain 100% homozygous inbred lines in only one in vitro generation, thus allowing for fixation of traits and accelerating the development of new varieties. Double haploid plants are used as parentals in breeding programs to obtain high-yielding hybrid varieties with an elevated homogeneity grade.
PLANT TRANSFORMATION
AND GENOME
EDITING
Genetic transformation has important connotations in plant breeding, enabling the use of new plant breeding techniques such as targeted genome editing by using CRISPR/Cas systems. This may foster the development of varieties with specific biochemical profiles, or tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses among others.
