Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 417-428 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 418 resistance traits into a single variety is a time-consuming and complex process, often hindered by the limitations of conventional breeding methods (Mondal et al., 2016; Khadka et al., 2020a). This study provides an in-depth analysis of the current status of wheat germplasm innovation and utilization, with a focus on high yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance traits. It further explores advancements in breeding technologies and the richness of genetic resources, while emphasizing the potential of developing resilient wheat varieties that can address future food security challenges. This research holds significant importance for guiding future breeding programs and ensuring the continued production of wheat in changing environments. 2 Innovation and Utilization of High-Yield Germplasm in Wheat 2.1 Exploration of high-yield germplasm resources The exploration of high-yield germplasm resources is a critical step in enhancing wheat productivity. Various global wheat gene pools, including cultivated varieties, landraces, and wild relatives, harbor a wealth of genetic diversity that can be harnessed for breeding high-yielding wheat cultivars. For instance, the National Genebank of India conserves an extensive collection of wheat germplasm, which includes Indian wheat landraces, primitive cultivars, and breeding lines from other countries. This diverse collection is pivotal for developing wheat cultivars with high yield potential and stress tolerance (Kumar et al., 2022). Similarly, the evaluation of germplasm pools for drought tolerance has identified several genotypes with desirable traits, which can be utilized to improve wheat yield under water-deficit conditions (Ahmed et al., 2022b). Moreover, the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with yield and stress tolerance traits has been instrumental in the selection of high-yield germplasm. For example, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed significant marker-trait associations for yield-related attributes under both normal and heat-stressed environments, providing valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at enhancing wheat yield (Ahmed et al., 2022a). The integration of phenotypic and molecular data from diverse germplasm collections facilitates the identification of high-yielding genotypes, which can be further exploited in breeding programs to meet the growing food demands (Khadka et al., 2020a). 2.2 Application of genomic selection in high-yield breeding Genomic selection (GS) has emerged as a powerful tool to accelerate the breeding of high-yield wheat by utilizing genomic markers and QTLs. GS involves the use of genome-wide markers to predict the breeding values of individuals, thereby enabling the selection of superior genotypes at an early stage. This approach has been particularly effective in addressing the challenges posed by genotype-environment interactions and the non-availability of reliable markers linked with significant QTLs (Kumar et al., 2022). For instance, the identification of QTLs for drought tolerance and their integration into GS models has facilitated the development of wheat varieties with enhanced yield potential under drought conditions (Khadka et al., 2020a). The application of GS in wheat breeding programs has also been supported by advancements in high-throughput phenotyping and genotyping technologies. These technologies enable the rapid and accurate assessment of large germplasm collections, thereby enhancing the efficiency of GS. For example, the use of high-density SNP arrays in GWAS has identified several QTLs associated with heat tolerance, which can be incorporated into GS models to breed heat-tolerant, high-yielding wheat varieties (Figure 1) (Ahmed et al., 2022a). Additionally, the integration of genomic and phenotypic data from diverse germplasm pools has provided a comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis of yield traits, further enhancing the effectiveness of GS in wheat breeding (Gupta et al., 2020). Ahmed et al. (2022a) revealed the genetic basis variations of thousand grain weight (TGW) and grain yield per plant (GYP) in wheat under different growth environments, particularly under heat stress. Compared to normal conditions, the distribution of significant SNPs for TGW and GYP under heat stress changed, indicating the influence of environmental factors on gene expression and its impact on traits. Genomic selection can be used to identify genetic markers associated with heat tolerance and high yield, accelerating the breeding of heat-tolerant, high-yielding wheat varieties. In future breeding programs, genomic selection based on such SNP information will help enhance crop adaptability and productivity in the context of global warming.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzMg==