Potentials of molecular based breeding to enhance drought tolerance in wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.)

Abstract

The ability of plant to sustain itself in limited water conditions is crucial in the world of agriculture. To breed for drought tolerance in wheat, it is essential to clearly understand drought tolerant mechanisms. Conventional breeding is time consuming and labor intensive being inefficient with low heritability traits like drought tolerance. Recent progress made in the field of genomics enabling us to access genes linked with drought tolerance has enhanced our understanding of this complex phenomenon. The purpose of this review paper was to briefly overview the accomplishments in molecular breeding for drought tolerance in wheat. Thus, by knowing the genetics of drought tolerance and identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) linked with DNA markers will help wheat breeders to develop high yielding drought tolerant cultivars.

Key words: Triticum aestivum L, drought tolerance, QTLs, marker assisted selection (MAS).