Functional Markers in Zea mays L
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The Department of Agronomy seeks to teach the study of the farm-field, its crops, and its science and management. It originally consisted of three sub-departments to do this: Soils, Farm-Crops, and Agricultural Engineering (which became its own department in 1907). Today, the department teaches crop sciences and breeding, soil sciences, meteorology, agroecology, and biotechnology.
History
The Department of Agronomy was formed in 1902. From 1917 to 1935 it was known as the Department of Farm Crops and Soils.
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1902–present
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- Department of Farm Crops and Soils (1917–1935)
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
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Abstract
Great advancements have been made in the area of plant breeding and genetics since the turn of the century. Many of these advancements stem from research in maize, which is an important global crop. This paper seeks to answer the question: How has the study and mapping of genetic variation in maize germplasm at a genome-wide level facilitated the development of markers for maize breeding? Since the first types of molecular markers were identified, their utility and functionality has increased greatly to the plant breeding community. Functional Markers (FMs) are polymorphic markers located within a gene whose function has been proven to regulate a trait of interest. Maize breeders are gaining more access to published FMs, which are being created based on an increased understanding of gene function coming from gene cloning and mutant analyses. They can use these markers to increase the efficiency of their breeding programs through marker-assisted selection (MAS), which has revolutionized traditional breeding methods. Current research and literature have been reviewed surrounding sequencing technologies, the maize genome, and specific gene sequences and their functions. Also reviewed are examples of how these technologies have aided the development of Functional Markers in maize.