One Hundred Candidate Genes and Their Roles in Drought and Salt Tolerance in Wheat

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Drought and salinity are significant global agricultural constraints, exacerbated by climate change.
• Understanding plant responses to hydric stresses is crucial for food security.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the global impact of drought and salinity on agriculture.
• To identify genetic resources and genes conferring tolerance to hydric stresses in Triticeae.
• To provide a reference for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding for climate change adaptation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of global drought and salinity impacts.
• Compilation of studies on gene transfer for stress tolerance.
• Analysis of morphological and physiological aspects of hydric stress.
• Cataloging and functional classification of over 100 genes in Triticeae associated with hydric stress tolerance.

Main Results:

• Over 100 genes associated with osmotic adjustment and ionic/redox homeostasis in Triticeae were identified.
• Mechanisms of tolerance to hydric stresses were described.
• Genetic resources and successful gene transfer studies were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Knowledge of gene function and expression is vital for selecting tolerant wheat genotypes.
• This review serves as a key resource for future research on hydric stress tolerance mechanisms.
• Utilizing identified genes in marker-assisted selection (MAS) can aid in developing climate-resilient wheat germplasm.