Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 277-286 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/tgg 282 7 Field-Based Phenotyping and High-Throughput Screening in Triticale 7.1 Advances in high-throughput phenotyping for assessing stress tolerance in the field High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) technologies have advanced significantly, providing breeders with powerful tools to assess stress tolerance in crops like triticale. These technologies leverage non-invasive sensors, such as RGB cameras, multispectral, and hyperspectral imaging, to capture detailed data on traits such as canopy cover, plant height, and biomass under stress conditions. This allows for the rapid evaluation of large breeding populations across different environmental conditions, aiding in the selection of varieties with improved stress tolerance. UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) have been particularly effective, offering high-resolution, cost-efficient phenotyping platforms that can monitor crops over large areas and multiple time points, providing a comprehensive understanding of their stress response (Xie and Yang, 2020). 7.2 Role of remote sensing and UAVs in large-scale screening for stress-adaptive traits UAV-based remote sensing technologies play a crucial role in large-scale phenotypic screening, allowing for the assessment of stress-adaptive traits such as drought tolerance and water-use efficiency. These systems utilize various sensors, including thermal, multispectral, and hyperspectral cameras, to monitor physiological changes in crops in response to stress. For instance, thermal imaging can detect changes in canopy temperature, which is indicative of water stress, while multispectral imaging can capture data related to plant health and vigor, such as normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). UAVs have proven to be highly effective in capturing these data across extensive fields, reducing the need for manual measurements and allowing breeders to screen large numbers of genotypes rapidly (Ludovisi et al., 2017). 7.3 Integrating field phenotyping data with genomic information for precision breeding The integration of phenotyping data with genomic information is essential for precision breeding in triticale. By combining HTP data from field trials with genomic tools such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic selection (GS), breeders can more accurately identify and select for stress tolerance traits (Jiang, 2024). This approach enhances the efficiency of breeding programs by enabling the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) linked to stress tolerance and the prediction of plant performance under various environmental conditions. The use of machine learning and advanced data analysis techniques further enhances the integration of phenotypic and genomic data, allowing breeders to make more informed decisions when selecting genotypes for breeding (Li et al., 2022). 8 Sustainable Breeding Strategies for Stress-Prone Environments 8.1 Breeding for climate resilience: strategies for adapting to changing environmental conditions In the face of global climate change, breeding strategies for climate resilience have become paramount in ensuring stable crop production, particularly in stress-prone environments. Climate-resilient breeding focuses on developing triticale varieties that can withstand the adverse effects of drought, heat, and other environmental stresses. One successful approach has been the application of the breeder’s equation to predict the response of crops under different environmental conditions, allowing breeders to optimize the selection of traits for resilience (Cooper and Messina, 2022). Genetic improvements in root system architecture, for example, enhance water and nutrient uptake, which can be crucial in regions affected by erratic rainfall and poor soil quality (Ober et al., 2021). Through the integration of advanced molecular and genomic tools, breeders can more efficiently select for complex traits like drought and heat tolerance. 8.2 Enhancing water-use efficiency and nutrient uptake in triticale varieties Improving water-use efficiency (WUE) and nutrient uptake is a central goal in breeding triticale for sustainable agriculture. Enhanced root traits, such as deeper root systems and increased root hair density, have shown promise in boosting water and nutrient acquisition in low-input systems. For instance, studies have demonstrated that optimized root systems in cereals like wheat and triticale improve resilience by facilitating better access to water and nutrients in dry conditions (Figure 3) (Ndoye et al., 2022). Moreover, incorporating traits related to efficient nutrient use, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, helps minimize the environmental footprint of farming by reducing the need for excessive fertilizer application. These advancements contribute to the development of triticale varieties that are more sustainable and resource-efficient.
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