Development and use of molecular markers for crop improvementP KGuptaauthorH SBalyanauthorR KVarshneyauthorK SGillauthorAt the current rate of population growth, the global population is expected to touch at least 9 billion in 2050 (Godfray et al. 2010), putting an excessive pressure on the food, feed and fuel supply. To meet this challenge, food supply will need to grow annually by 2–3% (Hawkesford et al. 2013). In the past, global food production has largely been driven by the development of dwarf varieties that are responsive to high inputs (both water and fertilizers), which had negative impact on the environment leading to decline in crop yields and widening the gap between potential and realized yields. This has been further exacerbated by the yield losses of up to 40% due to the diseases and pests (Oerke 2006). Abiotic stresses such as drought (due to uncertain and irregular rains), heat (due to rise in temperature), salinity, mineral toxicities and nutrient deficiencies contribute to either decline in productivity or complete failure of crops.Genetics and Genomics2013Blackwell Verlag GmbHArticle