Functional Plant Breeding Journal

Identification and analysis of SNP markers associated with traits of interest in rice using Machine Learning methodology

Agnes Cardoso da Cruz — 2025-09-04

The use of molecular markers to select superior individuals for traits of interest is essential to accelerate the development of rice cultivars. Quantitative traits are challenging to work with in marker-assisted selection, and new methodologies must be continually evaluated. This study aimed to identify SNP markers associated with five quantitative traits through the Machine Learning (ML) methodology, which used genotyping (4,709 SNPs) and grain yield data from 541 accessions from Embrapa’s Rice Core Collection evaluated in nine locations. Fifteen TaqMan® hydrolysis probebased assays were developed from SNPs associated with key traits, and 31
rice varieties were both genotyped and phenotyped for validation. Using simple linear regression analysis, four SNPs were significantly associated with panicle number and grain yield, while three were linked to the percentage of filled grains. The application of machine learning methods, coupled with the evaluation of selected SNPs and the development of TaqMan® assays, provided an effective approach for identifying markers to support routine marker-assisted selection in rice breeding programs.

BRS FP327: Early black common bean cultivar with high yield and upright plant architecture

Leonardo Cunha Melo — 2025-09-04

BRS FP327 is a black common bean cultivar known for its high yield, particularly in the Central-South region, excellent commercial grain quality, erect plant architecture, and lodging resistance. Additional highlights include resistance to anthracnose and fusarium wilt and intermediate resistance to root rot.

BRS FC420 RMD: transgenic carioca-seeded common bean with high yield, multiple virus resistance, and superior grain quality and architecture

Thiago Lívio Pessoa Oliveira de Souza — 2025-09-04

BRS FC420 RMD is a genetically modified cultivar developed by Embrapa. It features carioca-type grains, a normal growth cycle (85–94 days), high yield potential, and excellent commercial grain quality, with very light beige coloration and light brown stripes. The plants are adapted to direct mechanized harvesting and possess multiple resistance to viruses (BCMV, BGMV, and CPMMV), making it a crucial tool for the integrated management of whitefly-transmitted viruses in bean cultivation. It is registered for planting during the rainy, dry, and winter seasons in Brazil’s Central Region.

PLENA: Conilon coffee cultivar with average productivity of over 100 bags per hectare per year, obtained in six harvests

Gleison Oliosi — 2025-09-04

Cultivar PLENA is composed of six Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner genotypes, derived from clones discovered and bred by farmers, which were reproduced in Nova Venécia, in the North of Espírito Santo State, Brazil (18°39′43″ S, 40°25′52″ W; 200m asl). The selected genotypes (A1, AD1, Bicudo, L80, LB1 and Peneirão) were superior to the others evaluated, with an average productivity in six harvests above 100 bags of processed coffee per hectare.

BRS FC429: Common bean cultivar with upright plants, carioca beans, slow darkening, and resistance to Fusarium wilt

Helton Santos Pereira — 2025-09-04

BRS FC429 is a common bean cultivar with high commercial quality carioca beans, very light beige seed coat color, and slow darkening. It shows wide adaptability to different production regions, mean yield of 2,176 kg.ha-1, high yield potential (6,000 kg.ha-1), upright plants, moderate resistance to Fusarium wilt, and intermediate resistance to angular leaf spot and bacterial wilt.

BRS FC424: Carioca common bean cultivar with high yield, commercial quality, and disease resistance

Marcelo Sfeir Aguiar — 2025-09-04

BRS FC424 has high yield, especially in the Center-South region of Brazil (2,496 kg ha-1), and excellent bean commercial quality (color, uniformity, 100-seed weight, and sieve yield). In addition, BRS FC424 has intermediate resistance to various diseases, such as root rots, Fusarium wilt, and anthracnose, and moderate resistance to angular leaf spot.

BRS FP426: A black common bean cultivar with excellent yield and commercial quality and high resistance to Fusarium wilt

Marcelo Sfeir Aguiar — 2025-09-04

BRS FP426 stood out for its high yield in the South-Central region (2,324 kg.ha-1) and the excellent commercial quality of its grain (color, uniformity, 100-seed weight, and sieve yield). BRS FP426 has upright plant architecture and resistance to lodging; moreover, it has high resistance to Fusarium wilt, moderate resistance to anthracnose, and intermediate resistance to angular leaf spot.