Vol. 8, Issue 8, Part N (2024)

Abiotic stresses such as heat and drought present significant challenges to global wheat production, threatening food security. Wheat breeders have traditionally relied on empirical selection to develop stress-tolerant cultivars, but recent advancements in genetic tools are enhancing the efficiency of breeding for abiotic stress resilience. This paper reviews the integration of modern genetic technologies like marker-assisted selection (MAS), marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC), quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, and genomic selection (GS) into wheat breeding. These methods enable the identification and introgression of key genes associated with stress tolerance. Traits such as efficient root systems, osmotic adjustment, and antioxidant defenses are essential for improving wheat’s ability to endure heat and drought stress. This review also highlights the potential of genetic engineering and transgenic approaches to accelerate the development of climate-resilient wheat varieties. Advanced phenotyping technologies, combined with a comprehensive understanding of stress tolerance mechanisms, can further optimize breeding strategies, ensuring sustainable wheat production in the face of climate change.