What is one of the main benefits of using molecular markers in breeding programs?

One of the main benefits of using molecular markers in breeding programs is that they speed up the identification of desirable traits. Molecular markers are specific sequences in the genome that can be linked to particular traits or characteristics of interest in plants or animals. By using these markers, breeders can quickly and accurately assess which individuals in a breeding population carry the desired traits without the need for prolonged phenotypic observation or extensive field trials.

This efficiency accelerates the breeding process, allowing for more rapid selection of individuals that are likely to pass on beneficial traits to the next generation. As a result, molecular markers significantly enhance the overall effectiveness of breeding programs, contributing to faster development of improved varieties that can respond to agricultural challenges such as pests, diseases, and climate change.

In contrast to the other options, molecular markers do not inherently influence practices like fertilizer usage, visibility in the process is more about tracking and understanding choices rather than identifying traits, and they do not eliminate the need for genetic modification, which serves a different purpose in biotechnology.