Modern Breeding Strategies for the Identification of Drought Tolerance in Wheat: A Comprehensive Review

Nadia Bibi; Muhammad Ahmer Naseer Hashmi; Farah Naz; Talat Mahmood; Rabia Ikram; Muhammad Daood; Muhammad Bilal; Munir Ahmad; Hafiz Muhammad Umair Nadeem

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i10.2532

Authors

Nadia Bibi Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ahmer Naseer Hashmi Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, The University of Haripur, KP, Pakistan.
Farah Naz Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
Talat Mahmood Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
Rabia Ikram National Institute of Genomics & Advanced Biotechnology, National Agriculture Research Centre Islamabad, Pakistan.
Muhammad Daood Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
Muhammad Bilal Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
Munir Ahmad Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
Hafiz Muhammad Umair Nadeem Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i10.2532

Keywords:

Bread Wheat, Drought Tolerance, Phenotypic Screening, Molecular Markers, QTL, Abiotic Stress

Abstract

The global food supply is under significant threat due to climate change with drought being a major limiting factor in bread wheat production. This review paper is an integrated account of phenotypic and molecular methods for identifying drought tolerance in bread wheat at the importance of a synergistic approach. Traditional phenotypic approaches which use observable traits such as grain yield and physiological indicators are useful for initial screening and field validation but can be time-consuming and subject to environmental factors. In contrast, modern molecular techniques, including Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS), Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping and functional genomics, provide precise and efficient means for the identification of superior genotypes at the genetic level. By synthesizing findings from recent literature, this review highlights that an integrated approach that combines high-throughput phenotyping with advanced molecular tools is the most effective way to overcome the limitations of single-method screening and advance the development of climate-resilient wheat varieties. Future directions in breeding are likely to make use of pan-genomics and advanced genetic engineering to proactively design crops with greater resilience.

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