Dreher observed and questioned researchers and lab technicians as they went through each stage of their work, from start to finish, to gather specific information on the costs involved. Third, the laboratory and field parameters put forth in each breeding scheme were used to calculate the total cost of implementing that particular scheme. Although they are still analyzing the results of the study, Dreher and Morris have come to several preliminary conclusions, the most salient being that the relative cost-effectiveness of various conventional and MAS schemes depends on the detailed circumstances of each particular application. Most cereal nematodes are insidious, below-ground pathogens that are difficult to diagnose and quantify. Determining a variety's resistance through conventional selection techniques requires sampling, extracting, and counting the nematodes, extrapolating the results, and diagnosing the effects on the variety, a process that is costly, labor intensive, and only moderately reliable.
Molecular markers are the only choice for conducting such work at headquarters.
Marker-assisted selection often allows breeders to cut down on the number of seasons needed to produce a desired product. Although data analysis is continuing, the study has already produced concrete results. For station and lab management, these data are very useful. In addition they provide the kind of solid information needed by our national program partners to put together biotech project proposals based on real figures. Quality protein maize, which was developed through conventional breeding processes, has the nutritional advantage of containing twice the amount of two essential amino acids, tryptophan and lysine, as normal maize.