Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 417-428 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 417 Research Report Open Access Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of High Yield, Disease Resistance, and Stress Tolerance Traits in Wheat Feng Huang , Xiaoyu Du, Shaokui Zou, Lina Wang, Yulin Han Zhoukou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhoukou, 466001, Henan, China Corresponding email: huangfeng0714@163.com Molecular Plant Breeding, 2024, Vol.15, No.6 doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0039 Received: 18 Nov., 2024 Accepted: 20 Dec., 2024 Published: 28 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Huang et al., 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: Huang F., Du X.Y., Zou S.K., Wang L.N., and Han Y.L., 2024, Germplasm innovation and utilization of high yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance traits in wheat, Molecular Plant Breeding, 15(6): 417-428 (doi: 10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0039) Abstract Wheat is one of the most important food crops globally, and germplasm innovation plays a critical role in enhancing wheat yield and adaptability. Advances in genomics and molecular breeding technologies have opened new possibilities for achieving these goals. This study summarizes the progress of wheat germplasm innovation in improving traits such as high yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance. It explores the discovery of efficient germplasm resources on a global scale, the application of genomic selection and molecular improvement strategies, and the innovative use of stress-resistant and disease-resistant wheat germplasm. The study also analyzes successful cases of germplasm innovation, evaluating the impact of these technologies on future agriculture and their importance in addressing climate change challenges. The research demonstrates that germplasm innovation can significantly enhance wheat yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance, providing strong support for addressing global food security issues. The exploration of modern breeding methods, such as genomics, transgenic technologies, and gene editing, can optimize the utilization of wheat germplasm resources and promote sustainable agricultural development. This study not only advances modern breeding but also provides effective strategies for global agriculture to address climate change and disease threats. Keywords Wheat; Germplasm innovation; High-Yield breeding; Disease resistance; Stress tolerance 1 Introduction Wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) is a cornerstone of global food security, providing a significant portion of the daily caloric and protein intake for a large part of the world’s population (Babu et al., 2020; Pang et al., 2021). The continuous improvement of wheat germplasm is essential to meet the increasing demands for high yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance, especially in the face of climate change and evolving biotic stresses (Mondal et al., 2016; Kumar et al., 2022; Trono and Pecchioni, 2022). The innovation and utilization of wheat germplasm are critical for the development of cultivars that can withstand various biotic and abiotic stresses. The genetic diversity conserved in gene banks worldwide offers a rich reservoir of traits that can be harnessed to improve wheat resilience and productivity (Khadka et al., 2020a; Kumar et al., 2022). Modern breeding techniques, including genomic selection and genetic engineering, have significantly enhanced the ability to develop stress-tolerant and high-yielding wheat varieties (Mahpara et al., 2022; Trono and Pecchioni, 2022). Wheat breeding programs aim to achieve high yield potential while incorporating traits for disease resistance and stress tolerance. High-yielding wheat varieties are essential to meet the global food demand, which is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades (Singh et al., 2007; Crespo-Herrera et al., 2018). Disease resistance, particularly against rusts and other major pathogens, is crucial to prevent significant yield losses and ensure food security (Babu et al., 2020). Additionally, the development of wheat varieties that can tolerate drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures is vital to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on wheat production (Pang et al., 2021; Trono and Pecchioni, 2022). Wheat breeding faces several challenges, including the complex genotype-environment interactions that affect trait expression and the limited availability of truly resistant or tolerant germplasm (Singh et al., 2007; Kumar et al., 2022). The continuous evolution of pathogens and pests necessitates the ongoing identification and deployment of effective resistance genes (Babu et al., 2020). Moreover, the integration of multiple stress
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzMg==