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.com
Volume 6
Journal of Plant Biochemistry & Physiology
ISSN: 2329-9029
Plant Science 2018
October 29-30, 2018
October 29-30, 2018 | Valencia, Spain
6
th
Global Summit on Plant Science
Genetic resources and breeding methodologies for improving drought tolerance in wheat
Learnmore Mwadzingeni
1
, Hussein Shimelis
1
, Toi J Tsilo
2
, Sandiswa Figlan
2
and
Suchismita Mondal
3
1
African Centre for Crop Improvement-UKZN, South Africa
2
Agricultural Research Council, South Africa
3
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Mexico
Y
ield gains from rain-fed wheat (
Triticum aestivum
L.) production, particularly in areas experiencing intermittent and
terminal dry spells, can be realized through integrated breeding with promising genetic and genomic resources using
appropriate methodologies. This enables targeted recombination of novel genes for drought tolerance and selection of desirable
genotypes. Continuous exploration of new sources of genetic variation and introgression of suitable genes into elite drought-
susceptible genotypes, including via transgenic approaches; and the use of genome editing could offer exciting future prospects
in acquiring drought-tolerant wheat genotypes. This review highlights available genetic resources, major wheat gene banks and
databases as well as breeding methodologies for drought tolerance in wheat, including pre-breeding, conventional breeding,
hybrid breeding, and genomics-assisted breeding. The potential of genetic modification through the transgenic and genome-
editing approaches is also discussed. Emphasis is placed on how best these breeding methods can be brought together to develop
strategies aimed at improving drought tolerance in wheat.
mwadzingenil@yahoo.comJ Plant Biochem Physiol 2018, Volume 6
DOI: 10.4172/2329-9029-C1-003