Co-dominant markers are more beneficial because they identify more than one allele thus enabling someone to follow a particular trait through mapping techniques.
For instance, a RAPD marker is dominant (identifying only one band of distinction) and it may be sensitive to reproducible results.
[6] currently, SNP markers have turned out to be a potential tool in breeding programs in several crops.
This linkage map may identify distances from other genes using (cM) centiMorgans as a unit of measurement.
Co-dominant markers can be used in mapping, to identify particular locations within a genome and can represent differences in phenotype.
These polymorphisms indicate slight changes within the genome that may present nucleotide substitutions or rearrangement of sequence.
[10] Genetic markers can aid in the development of new novel traits that can be put into mass production.
Qualitative traits (requires less than 2 genes) such as color, can be identified using MAS (marker assisted selection).
One example of using molecular markers in identifying a particular trait within a plant is, Fusarium head blight in wheat.
This resistance is inferred by a particular gene that can be followed using MAS (Marker Assisted Selection) and QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci).
This type of selection is becoming more beneficial to breeders and farmers because it is reducing the amount of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides needed to be used on crops.