Cost/benefit analysis of MAS

The cost of using 'tools' in breeding programs is a major consideration. Factors that influence the cost-benefit ratio of MAS versus conventional phenotypic selection include the following aspects.

A + indicates that MAS could be efficient
a - indicates that phenotypic selection would be more efficient
a ~ indicates that the objective and population type determines whether MAS or phenotypic selection is more efficient

  • inheritance of the trait
    • dominant (~), recessive (~)
    • traits regulated by one or few genes with a large effect (-) or several genes each with a small effect (+)
  • method and reliability of phenotypic evaluation
    • easy (-)
    • cheap and reliable (-)
  • marker systems reliable, high-throughput and inexpensive (+)
  • field/glasshouse and labor costs high (+), cost of resources high, compared with the costs and investments of running marker systems (+)
  • the crop
    • high ploidy level (-)
    • economic value high (+)
  • etc.

In many cases, phenotypic screening is cheaper compared to MAS. Moreover, phenotypic screening remains necessary to determine which marker is associated with the trait of interest. Where phenotypic screening requires time-consuming and expensive assays, MAS, with all its pros and cons might be an attractive option. An important consideration for MAS is the large initial cost of marker development. A mapping population should be created, phenotypes, genotyped with many markers to find relation between a marker and the trait gene. This is a substantial investment, especially for traits with a low heritability. Costs for running a known marker range from several cents to € 5 and up per sample, and also depend on many factors, such as technique used and efficiency of use of lab facilities.

Benefits of MAS generally include the ability of testing more individuals and more efficient selection, resulting in a quicker release of cultivars.

Summary

→    Initial costs of MAS are high, compared to conventional selection

→    MAS can save time and money, depending on many factors

 

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