Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 277-286 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/tgg 277 Feature Review Open Access Breeding Triticale for Stress-Prone Environments: Genetic Insights and Methodologies Renxiang Cai 1,2 1 Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China 2 Zhejiang Agronomist College, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: rxcai@sina.com Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/tgg.2024.15.0026 Received: 03 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 08 Oct. 2024 Published: 20 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Cai, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Cai R.X., 2024, Breeding Triticale for stress-prone environments: genetic insights and methodologies, Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 15(5): 277-286 (doi: 10.5376/tgg.2024.15.0026) Abstract Triticale, a hybrid cereal combining the qualities of wheat and rye, has become a key focus in crop breeding for stress-prone environments. This paper discusses recent advancements in Triticale breeding methodologies and improving stress tolerance, with a focus on the application of molecular genetics, biotechnology, and hybrid breeding techniques. Key topics covered include genomic tools such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), marker-assisted selection (MAS), and the use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to enhance resilience against abiotic and biotic stresses. The integration of high-throughput phenotyping and multi-omics approaches has provided deeper insights into the physiological and molecular responses of Triticale to environmental challenges. Additionally, strategies to overcome genetic bottlenecks, balance trade-offs between yield, quality, and stress tolerance, and develop sustainable, low-input cropping systems are examined. The paper emphasizes the role of Triticale in ensuring food security in the context of climate change and highlights future directions for research and innovation in breeding programs to meet the demands of increasingly challenging agricultural environments. Keywords Triticale breeding; Stress tolerance; CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing; Abiotic stress resilience; Hybrid breeding techniques 1 Introduction The impact of global climate change and the resulting environmental pressures have profound effects on crop production. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events are causing crops to face both biotic (such as pests and diseases) and abiotic (such as drought, salinity, and temperature stress) challenges. These stresses significantly reduce crop yields, threatening global food security, particularly for key crops like wheat and Triticale. Research has shown that the combination of genetic factors and environmental changes underscores the critical need to develop crops with enhanced stress resilience, especially in the face of rapidly changing climatic conditions (Hossain et al., 2021; Robles-Zazueta et al., 2023). Breeding programs must prioritize the integration of stress-resistant traits to ensure that crop yields remain stable under adverse conditions (Kumar et al., 2021). As a hybrid of wheat and rye, Triticale offers significant value in stress-resistant breeding. This man-made cereal combines the high grain quality and agronomic traits of wheat with the superior stress tolerance of rye, particularly under conditions of drought, salinity, and low soil fertility (Golebiowska-Paluch et al., 2023). Its genetic diversity and adaptability make it a highly valuable crop for stress-prone environments, where traditional crops may struggle to thrive. Triticale’s robust performance in these conditions has positioned it as an important focus for future breeding programs aiming to develop crops resilient to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Addressing the challenges of breeding for abiotic and biotic stress resistance in black wheat remains a complex task. The multigenic nature of stress tolerance requires advanced breeding techniques, such as marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and gene editing, to identify and incorporate resilient traits into elite varieties (Cooper and Messina, 2022). Despite the advancements in modern breeding technologies, the process of developing varieties that exhibit strong resistance to both abiotic and biotic stresses while maintaining high yield potential remains a significant challenge. Limited genetic diversity in some black wheat varieties further complicates this process, making the task of breeding stress-resilient crops even more critical (Bakala et al., 2021).
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