The value of exotic wheat genetic resources for accelerating grain yield gains is largely unproven and unrealized. We used next-generation sequencing, together with multi-environment phenotyping, to study the contribution of exotic genomes to 984 three-way-cross-derived (exotic/elite1//elite2) pre-breeding lines (PBLs). Genomic characterization of these lines with haplotype map-based and SNP marker approaches revealed exotic specific imprints of 16.1 to 25.1%, which compares to theoretical expectation of 25%. A rare and favorable haplotype (GT) with 0.4% frequency in gene bank identified on chromosome 6D minimized grain yield (GY) loss under heat stress without GY penalty under irrigated conditions. More specifically, the ‘T’ allele of the haplotype GT originated in Aegilops tauschii and was absent in all elite lines used in study. In silico analysis of the SNP showed hits with a candidate gene coding for isoflavone reductase IRL-like protein in Ae. tauschii. Rare haplotypes were also identified on chromosomes 1A, 6A and 2B effective against abiotic/biotic stresses. Results demonstrate positive contributions of exotic germplasm to PBLs derived from crosses of exotics with CIMMYT’s best elite lines. This is a major impact-oriented pre-breeding effort at CIMMYT, resulting in large-scale development of PBLs for deployment in breeding programs addressing food security under climate change scenarios.

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.

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.

Farm, Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Allahabad (U.P.) to study the effect of two varieties (VL Baby Corn-1 and HM 4), two spacings (45×25 cm and 60×25 cm) and three sowing dates (1^st October, 30^th October and 29^th November) on performance of baby corn (Zea mays L.). The results indicated that variety HM 4 recorded significantly higher growth, yield contributes and yields viz., plant dry weight (19.07%), crop growth rate (31.85%), days to tasselling (38.64%), days to silking (34.79%) number of cobs/plant (8.40%), weight of corn with husk (8.49), weight of corn without husk (1.30%), corn yield (8.68%) and fodder yield (21.60%) was found to be higher over VL Baby Corn-1, according pooled data. The maximum length of corn (3.90%), corn yield (32.55%) and fodder yield (26.21%) was found to be higher over 60×25 cm spacing. The baby corn planted on 30^th October recorded significantly higher number of cobs/plant (47.33%), corn yield (35.79%) and fodder yield (20.59%) was found to be higher over sowing on 1^st October. Variety HM 4 sown on 30^th October at 45×25 cm spacing resulted in maximum gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio.