Genomic regions governing grain protein content (GPC), 1000 kernel weight (TKW), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were studied in a set of 280 bread wheat genotypes. The genome-wide association (GWAS) panel was genotyped using a 35K Axiom array and phenotyped in three environments. A total of 26 marker-trait associations (MTAs) were detected on 18 chromosomes covering the A, B, and D subgenomes of bread wheat. The GPC showed the maximum MTAs (16), followed by NDVI (6), and TKW (4). A maximum of 10 MTAs was located on the B subgenome, whereas, 8 MTAs each were mapped on the A and D subgenomes. In silico analysis suggest that the SNPs were located on important putative candidate genes such as NAC domain superfamily, zinc finger RING-H2-type, aspartic peptidase domain, folylpolyglutamate synthase, serine/threonine-protein kinase LRK10, pentatricopeptide repeat, protein kinase-like domain superfamily, cytochrome P450, and expansin. These candidate genes were found to have different roles including regulation of stress tolerance, nutrient remobilization, protein accumulation, nitrogen utilization, photosynthesis, grain filling, mitochondrial function, and kernel development. The effects of newly identified MTAs will be validated in different genetic backgrounds for further utilization in marker-aided breeding.

Drought is one of the major abiotic constraints on wheat yields and also for sustainability of production levels around the world. In the near future, the occurrence likelihood of droughts is predicted to become more common, due to changing climatic conditions, thereby posing a serious threat to the food security system. Heterogeneity, in its time of occurrence and severity levels, is likely to further augment the complexity of drought conditions. Although wheat crop growth has progressively risen to good levels, as evident by notable increases in both area and production, the expected wheat demand for the ever-growing population is quite high. Besides crop yield volatility in the era of climate change and dwindling resources, “trait-based” breeding programs are required, so as to develop high yielding, climate resilient and stable genotypes, at a faster pace. For this to happen, a broad genetic base and wider adaptability to suit varied agro-ecologies would provide enough scope for their quicker spread. The current review places emphasis on making distinct categories of the wheat cultivars/advanced breeding lines, as tolerant, moderately tolerant or susceptible to drought stresses, duly supported by an extensive up-to-date literature base and will be useful for wheat researchers, in order to choose the best potential donors as parents, coupled with the associated traits for the development of drought-tolerant wheat varieties, and also to facilitate molecular studies.