Chapter 2 - Mitigation of abiotic stress tolerance in wheat through conventional breeding

Abstract

After rice, wheat is the oldest and most significant cereal crop. Wheat consumption has increased dramatically over the world, while output has decreased due to abiotic stressors such as drought, temperature (high/low), salt, and other factors. Abiotic stressors are significant factors that produce a number of changes in plant metabolism, according to long-term study undertaken by many researchers in various regions, and stress-induced metabolic changes lead crop growth to be hampered, resulting in low yield. Enhancing genetic resistance to achieve a required output level could be one method to overcome the yield plateau under various types of abiotic challenges. The development of abiotic stress-resistant wheat cultivars is the only way to safeguard the crop from the impacts of the environment. Landraces, wild ancestors, and an elite existing line may all have abiotic stress tolerance genes. Plant breeders are experimenting with different breeding tactics in order to develop varieties that can endure these conditions. The goal of traditional breeding is to screen a large number of genotypes and choose favorable genotypes for desired qualities. Pure line, pedigree method, bulk scheme, backcrossing, and suitable breeding population are examples of traditional breeding strategies that have boosted production and can be altered to mitigate these stressors.