Activities & Services
ISTA invests in research to improve the yield (production) and the adaptability to the environment (resistance) of various materials to enhance quality and versatility.
ISTA is committed in a vast open field testing program to ensure the Italian farmer choice of varieties and hybrids more suited to their company.
ISTA is also involved in creating a collection of germplasm from the best genetic sources of national and world.
Our methodologies
- Breeding programs and open field Selection programs.
- DNA technologies.
- Genetic Breeding assisted by molecular biology.
Traditional breeding programs
Maize
- Traditional Hybrids.
- Special Hybrids:
- High amylose content.
- High amylopectin content.
- Low phytin content.
Wheat
- Selection of varieties suitable for cultivation in Italy.
Rice
- Selection of new varieties suitable for the Italian market.
"Molecular Breeding" Program
Molecular Assisted Breeding
- DNA fingerprinting of parental line.
- Use of genetic distances in predicting the hybrids productivity.
- Genetic map.
- Assistance in selecting populations.
- NIR Spectroscopy.
- Estimation of protein content, moisture, starch, fiber, cellulose, fats, carotenoids.
- Nutritional assessment, sensory merchandise.
Molecular Assisted Selection
- Identification of molecular markers associated with traits of interest.
Seeds purity analysis
- Assessment of purity of seed lots by AFLP analysis and/or SSR.
Fingerprinting analysis
- Molecular discrimination of different varieties.
