Genome Analysis and Breeding

Almond is a nut tree species of worldwide economic importance. Almond breeding programs have been crucial to develop new cultivars that meet both environmental challenges and economic demands, always taking into account the needs of industry. With the introduction of genomic technologies, detection of trait genetics, developments in automated phenotyping and micropropagation techniques, development of cultivars can be significantly accelerated. Molecular markers for single-gene traits have been and will continue to be progressed. For polygenic traits, pyramiding traits using modeling, CRISPR technology and genomic predictions holds potential. Altogether these developing technologies will only assist the foundation of traditional plant breeding.