Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 19-30 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/tgg 25 GWAS studies over the past decade have significantly advanced our understanding of the genetic basis of wheat crops under stress conditions. By identifying relevant genetic markers and genes, GWAS provides valuable information for crop improvement, allowing breeders to more effectively select and breed crop varieties adapted to specific environmental conditions. Despite challenges, such as the processing and interpretation of large-scale multi-phenotypic data, GWAS remains a very valuable tool in crop genetic research. With the advancement of genome sequencing technology and the improvement of data analysis methods, it is expected that GWAS will continue to play a key role in the study of crop stress adaptability in the future. 2.2 Discovery and functional analysis of stress tolerance trait genes in wheat crops In the fields of agricultural science and plant biotechnology, the discovery and functional analysis of stress tolerance trait genes in wheat crops is a key advance. Wheat crops, including wheat, barley and oats, form the basis of global food security, providing essential nutrients and calories to billions of people around the world. However, these crops are often affected by multiple stress factors such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures and diseases, which significantly reduce yield and quality. Therefore, understanding the genetic basis of the stress response mechanisms of these plants is critical to developing more resilient crop varieties through breeding and genetic engineering. The discovery of stress tolerance trait genes in wheat crops benefited from advances in genomics, bioinformatics and molecular biology technologies. High-throughput sequencing technology has enabled a comprehensive mapping of the genome of wheat crops, allowing researchers to identify genes and regulatory elements associated with mechanisms to cope with stress. Comparative genomics also plays a key role in identifying conserved genetic elements related to stress tolerance among different species (Xie et al., 2021). A landmark discovery in this field was the identification of dehydration response element binding protein (DREB) genes that play a key role in resistance to drought and cold stress. These transcription factors regulate the expression of a large number of downstream genes involved in protective responses to dehydration and low temperature. Another important finding was the identification of salt hypersensitivity (SOS) pathway genes, which are critical for maintaining ion balance under salty conditions, allowing plants to withstand high salt levels. Functional elucidation of these genes involves elucidating their role in plant response to stress and how they enhance stress tolerance. This is often achieved by combining genetic engineering (overexpression or knockout of genes of interest in model plants or wheat crops) and physiological assessment (evaluation of changes in response to stress, growth and yield under stressful conditions) . For example, overexpression of DREB genes in transgenic plants has shown enhanced drought and low temperature tolerance, leading to improved water use efficiency and survival under adverse conditions. Similarly, manipulating genes in the SOS pathway showed increased salt tolerance in genetically modified wheat crops, allowing them to grow in high-salinity soils that would otherwise be unsuitable for cultivation (Su et al., 2018). The discovery and functional analysis of stress-tolerance trait genes in wheat crops have far-reaching implications for agriculture, especially in the context of climate change and increasing environmental pressure. By integrating these genes into wheat crop varieties through traditional breeding or genetic engineering, crops more resistant to stress factors can be developed to maintain agricultural productivity and food security under changing environmental conditions. Future research in this area may focus on the discovery of new stress tolerance trait genes and their regulatory networks, using emerging technologies such as CRISPR/Cas genome editing and systems biology approaches. Furthermore, understanding the interactions between different stress response pathways and developing strategies to simultaneously enhance tolerance to multiple stressors will be critical to developing crops that can thrive in increasingly challenging agricultural environments.
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