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Utilization of genetic resources for maize and soybean breeding in Brazil

Luciano Lourenço Nass; Ido José Pellicano; Afonso Celso Candeira Valois

Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, CENARGEN/EMBRAPA, SAIN Parque Rural, 70770-900 Brasília, DF, Brasil. Send correspondence to L.L.N.

ABSTRACT

A survey was carried out among maize and soybean plant breeders from public and private institutions to evaluate the use of germplasm collections and to identify the sources of variability that are being used in breeding programs. Germplasm banks are regularly used by soybean breeders. However, they have been little used by maize breeders. The amount of infonnation concerning available accessions in germplasm banks was considered 70% insufficient for maize and 30% for soybean. The main sources of genetic variability have been the breeder's own work collection and breeder-to-breeder germplasm exchange. It was observed that agronomically adapted breeding materials show wide enough variability to assure continuous progress through selection.

Keywords: genetic resources; maize; soybean breeding.

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