Microsatellite marker development for almond breeding. Australian almond growers produce 8,000 tonnes of kernel annually, and the long term aim is to develop strong export markets. The industry funds a breeding program at Adelaide University, comprising hybridisation and selection. Through our current ARC SPIRT grant we augment this with a program in molecular techniques. Research is well-advanced in the development of a genetic map for almond based on both molecular and agronomic characters. ....Microsatellite marker development for almond breeding. Australian almond growers produce 8,000 tonnes of kernel annually, and the long term aim is to develop strong export markets. The industry funds a breeding program at Adelaide University, comprising hybridisation and selection. Through our current ARC SPIRT grant we augment this with a program in molecular techniques. Research is well-advanced in the development of a genetic map for almond based on both molecular and agronomic characters. This IREX grant will facilitate integration of our map with the International Prunus mapping program, based at Cabrils, Spain. It will also facilitate augmentation of the map with jointly-developed microsatellite markers.Read moreRead less