A review of breeding for abiotic stress tolerance in ornamental crop
Author(s): Tarun Kumar, Damini Yadav, Neetesh Kumar and Vinay Dansena
Abstract: Abiotic stress poses a significant challenge in various regions of India, particularly impacting agricultural areas. This issue arises from extreme temperatures, both low and high, prolonged drought conditions, and heightened soil salinity levels. These factors collectively hinder the progress and productivity of crops, creating a substantial hurdle for their growth. However, only limited initiatives have been directed towards addressing this concern, especially within the realm of ornamental crops. Among the various stress factors, soil salinity emerges as a prominent contributor, detrimentally influencing the overall development and expansion of plants. Now, compared to other crops, decorative crops have the potential to generate higher income and play a significant role in the national economy. The modern challenge is to breed ornamentals that can also thrive in challenging environments. There are several strategies for coping with abiotic stress, but relatively few have been shown effective for attractive crops. A fundamental technique that has shown promise in enhancing the drought tolerance of different crops involves the transfer of abiotic stress-resistant traits from cultivated varieties to their wild counterparts through wide crossbreeding methods, encompassing both interspecific and intergeneric hybridization. Another significant strategy involves In vitro mutagenesis, a pivotal approach that combines tissue culture methodologies with induced mutation techniques. This innovative approach holds the potential to not only augment the yield and overall quality of crop plants but also to bolster their resilience towards various stressors. In the context of ornamental crops, incorporating novel attributes such as unique colors and enhanced abiotic stress resilience through conventional breeding methods often presents considerable difficulties. However, the process of genetic transformation offers a more expedient avenue for achieving these goals. The focus of this paper lies in the comprehensive investigation of research pertaining to holistic plant breeding techniques geared towards conferring abiotic stress resistance in ornamental crops. Specifically, the study delves into the intricacies of breeding strategies that address the challenges posed by temperature variations (both low and high), drought, and salinity stress. It is important to note that the comprehensive exploration of breeding methodologies in response to these specific stressors exceeds the scope of this review.
