Which of the following is true regarding the use of molecular markers in plant breeding?
Molecular markers can only be used to study genetic diversity but not for developing new varieties.
Molecular markers are only useful for breeding crops that reproduce through vegetative propagation.
Molecular markers can help identify desirable traits and accelerate the breeding process.
Molecular markers are only useful for breeding crops that are genetically identical to their parents.
Molecular markers are used in plant breeding to identify desirable traits, such as disease resistance or improved yield, in a more precise and efficient manner. By identifying these traits at the molecular level, breeders can select parent plants that carry the desired genes and breed them together to produce offspring with the desired traits. This accelerates the breeding process by allowing breeders to identify desirable traits without having to grow and test the plants in the field.
Option 3 is the correct answer.