Abstract: The present invention provides breeding methods and compositions to enhance the germplasm of a plant by the use of direct nucleic acid sequence information. The methods describe the identification and accumulation of preferred nucleic acid sequences in the germplasm of a breeding population of crop plants.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving the efficacy of a plant breeding program which has as its goal to selectively alter phenotypic traits that are capable of being described numerically and are under the control of quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The method combines the newer techniques of molecular biology with modifications of classical pedigree breeding strategies. Progeny performance is predicted on the basis of at least one secondary trait, facilitating selection strategies. In particular, regression estimates are obtained by determining the relationship between selected inherited marker loci and quantitative phenotypic trait values in predictor populations, and used in combination with inherited marker profiles of plants, to implement a selection strategy in related populations.