Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 417-428 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 422 Figure 3 Wheat population structure and analysis of irrigation, precipitation, and drought resistance (Adapted from Xu et al., 2023) Image caption: (A) Principal component analysis (PCA) divides wheat germplasm into three subpopulations (sub1, sub2, sub3), showing the genotypic differences of different subpopulations in the principal component dimensions; (B) Neighbor-joining tree analysis displays the phylogenetic relationships of different wheat varieties, with different colors representing distinct subpopulations; (C) Bar charts show precipitation and irrigation conditions during different growth stages (from sowing to jointing and from jointing to maturity) under non-stress and drought stress conditions; (D) The total amount of precipitation and irrigation throughout the growing season in different years (Adapted from Xu et al., 2023) Xu et al. (2023) analyzed the drought resistance and water use efficiency of wheat germplasm resources. Principal component analysis and phylogenetic analysis helped in understanding the genetic differences in drought tolerance among different wheat varieties. By comparing irrigation and precipitation levels under drought and non-drought conditions, the study revealed that certain wheat varieties are capable of maintaining high yields with limited water resources. This information is of significant reference value for the future development of drought-resistant, high-yielding wheat varieties. Additionally, the evaluation of Ethiopian and Chinese wheat germplasm for drought tolerance at the seedling stage demonstrated significant genetic variation in traits such as shoot dry weight and proline content. The identification of genotypes with strong drought resistance under both non-stress and simulated stress conditions highlights the potential for further investigation at the molecular and cellular levels to identify novel genes associated with stress response (Belay et al., 2021). The adaptability of stress tolerance traits to different climate conditions is essential for the successful development and utilization of stress-tolerant wheat germplasm in breeding programs. 5 Technological Advances in Wheat Germplasm Innovation 5.1 Application of modern molecular breeding techniques in germplasm innovation Marker-assisted selection (MAS) has revolutionized wheat breeding by enabling the precise selection of desirable traits at the seedling stage, thus reducing costs and increasing efficiency. MAS has been successfully applied to transfer resistance genes such as Lr34, Yr36, and Pch1 into elite breeding material, demonstrating its potential in enhancing disease resistance. However, the integration of MAS in practical breeding programs faces challenges such as the small effects of individual QTLs and economic constraints (Miedaner and Korzun, 2012). Advances in high-throughput genotyping platforms and genomic selection are expected to overcome these limitations, opening new avenues for molecular-based resistance breeding (Gupta et al., 2010; Miedaner and Korzun, 2012). Gene editing technologies, particularly CRISPR/Cas9, offer promising prospects for wheat improvement. These technologies enable precise modifications of the wheat genome, facilitating the development of disease-resistant and high-yielding varieties. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been highlighted for its potential to assist breeders in
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