PLANT BREEDING INNOVATION METHODS TODAY’S SCIENCE USES advanced tools, techniques and methods, giving plant breeders much more control of the end product. This allows them to reach their endpoint in a much more efficient and timely manner and will allow farmers to have access to improved varieties at a much faster pace to meet their ever-changing needs. Below is a list of seven of the eight methods (grafting on GM rootstock not included) being used by plant breeders. Site-Directed Nucleases Site-directed nucleases include three main methods: Meganucleases, Zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and Transcription Activator Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs). These technolo- gies rely on biological molecules that have both a DNA-binding domain that recognizes a specific DNA sequence (the site direc- tion) and a DNA cleavage activity (the nuclease), which, when added to a plant cell, results in a specific, predetermined break in the plant’s DNA. The plant’s natural DNA repair mechanism recognizes this break and repairs the break using enzymes natu- rally present in the cell. The goal of SDN technology is to take advantage of the targeted DNA break and the host’s natural repair mechanisms to introduce specific small changes at the site of the DNA break. The change can either be a small deletion, a substitution or the addition of a number of nucleotides. Such targeted edits result in a new and desired characteristic, such as enhanced nutrient uptake or decreased production of allergens. SDN applications are divided into three techniques (SDN-1, SDN-2 and SDN-3). All three take advantage of a double- stranded break in the genome. The differences are that SDN-1 and SDN-2 do not use recombinant DNA and do not lead to the insertion of foreign DNA. However, SDN-3 introduces genetic material to the plant by means of a template containing a gene or other sequence of genetic material. Oligo-Directed Mutagenesis Nucleotides are organic molecules that form the basic building blocks of DNA, an organism’s genetic material. ODM makes use Plant breeding innovations comprise a number of methods that plant breeders and researchers use to more precisely and quickly improve crops for farmers. Here, you’ll find a breakdown of the methods being used and a brief description of how they work. What EXACTLY is Plant Breeding Innovation? JUNE 2017 SEEDWORLD.COM / 55