Tehran – Iranian researchers have cut breeding cycles for horticultural crops by up to eight years using modern molecular techniques, including marker-assisted selection and CRISPR gene editing, to produce seedless, disease-resistant varieties, a senior scientist announced.

 

Noushin Kazemi, Head of the Growth Center at the Horticultural Sciences Research Institute, identified marker-assisted selection (MAS) as one of the most significant practical achievements of modern molecular breeding.

 

"Using QTL markers, we have successfully produced seedless genotypes and varieties in grapes and citrus," he explained. "This method is also highly effective in selecting parent plants for crossbreeding."

 

In a major leap forward, Kazemi noted that CRISPR gene-editing technology has entered the practical application stage in Iran over the past five years. The precision tool allows scientists to make targeted changes to plant DNA, accelerating the development of drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and higher-yielding cultivars.

 

“Beyond variety development, molecular breeding has enabled advanced molecular diagnosis of plant diseases, including the identification of various viruses and viroids affecting horticultural products. This capability allows for earlier intervention and healthier nursery stocks.”

 

The cumulative effect of these technologies, researchers say, is a reduction of up to eight years in conventional breeding cycles—translating to faster delivery of climate-resilient, low-input crops to farmers, Kazemi said.