The development of wheat cultivars capable of withstanding drought conditions is necessary for global food security. Conventional breeding, emphasizing the exploitation of inherent genetic diversity by selecting wheat genotypes exhibiting superior drought-related traits, including root architecture, water use efficiency, and stress-responsive genes, has been used by breeders. Simultaneously, molecular techniques such as marker-assisted selection and gene editing are deployed to accelerate the identification and integration of specific drought-responsive genes into elite wheat lines. Cutting-edge genomic tools play a pivotal role in decoding the genetic basis of wheat drought tolerance, enabling the precise identification of key genomic regions and facilitating breeding decisions. Gene-editing technologies, deployed judiciously, ensure the targeted enhancement of desirable traits without compromising the overall genomic integrity of wheat varieties. This review introduces a strategic amalgamation of conventional and molecular breeding approaches for developing drought-tolerant wheat. The review aims to accelerate progress by seamlessly merging traditional breeding methods with advanced molecular tools, and it also underscores the potential of a synergistic future for enhancing wheat drought resilience, providing a roadmap for the development of resilient wheat varieties essential for sustainable agriculture in the 21st century.

In response to the escalating challenges posed by unpredictable environmental conditions, the pursuit of early maturation in bread wheat has emerged as a paramount research endeavor. This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted landscape of strategies and implications surrounding the unlocking of early maturation in bread wheat varieties. Drawing upon a synthesis of cutting-edge research in genetics, physiology, and environmental science, this review elucidates the intricate mechanisms underlying early maturation and its potential ramifications for wheat cultivation in dynamic environments. By meticulously analyzing the genetic determinants, physiological processes, and environmental interactions shaping early maturation, this review offers valuable insights into the complexities of this trait and its relevance in contemporary wheat breeding programs. Furthermore, this review critically evaluates the trade-offs inherent in pursuing early maturation, navigating the delicate balance between accelerated development and optimal yield potential. Through a meticulous examination of both challenges and opportunities, this review provides a comprehensive framework for researchers, breeders, and agricultural stakeholders to advance our understanding and utilization of early maturation in bread wheat cultivars, ultimately fostering resilience and sustainability in wheat production systems worldwide.

Soybean's constrained genetic diversity renders it particularly vulnerable to environmental influences. However, genetic variability and stability across diverse planting conditions are essential prerequisites for effective soybean breeding programs. The aim of this study was to assess genetic variability and identify stable-performing soybean genotypes suitable for both rainfed and irrigated planting conditions of central India, with the goal of enhancing soybean breeding efforts. Advanced soybean breeding lines were evaluated under rainfed and irrigated conditions using a randomized complete block design. Phenotypic assessments were conducted to analyse genetic variability, associations, direct and indirect effects, employing multiple regression analysis and determining multi-trait stability index (MTSI). Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) exceeded genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits across all the environments. The high heritability (h2) was combined with substantial genetic advance, for pods per plant, seeds per plant, seed weight, biological yield, and seed yield. Correlation and regression analyses revealed consistent positive associations of biological yield and harvest index with seed yield under both the planting condition. Path analysis identified biological yield as having the highest direct effect on seed yield in rainfed and irrigated planting conditions. MTSI identified JS 22-101is the most stable and superior genotypes for rainfed and irrigated planting conditions of central India. Biological yield emerged as the primary yield-contributing trait identified through holistic approaches employed in this study. Across all traits examined JS 22-101 demonstrated stability in both rainfed and irrigated planting conditions. This study underscores the importance of refining selection criteria for optimizing soybean breeding programs, contributing to agricultural genetic enhancement.

Background: Soybean breeding program face challenges due to genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI), where genotypes exhibit varying performance across different environments, complicating the identification of stable, high-yield cultivars. This study aimed to elucidate GEI’s impact on soybean yield and identify genotypes with superior adaptation and yield stability across diverse environments. Methods: Fifty genotypes were evaluated over three years in a randomized block design with three replications per environment, assessing yield components and other agronomic traits. Stability performance was analyzed using general linear methods, GGE biplot, AMMI analysis and ASV rank analysis. Result: The GGE biplot explained 75.10% of the total variation (PC1: 30.93%, PC2: 44.8%), while the AMMI model’s first two interaction principal component axes (IPCA1: 59.3%, IPCA2: 40.7%) explained the GEI variation. AMMI analysis identified G26 (JS 22-88) and G39 (JS 22-101) as the most stable, high-performing genotypes, whereas GGE biplot analysis identified G9 (JS 22-71).