Integrative Genomic and Phenotypic Approaches for Wheat Drought Resilience Enhancement

Climate change poses significant challenges to global agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. To address these challenges, our study focuses on enhancing the drought resilience of wheat (Triticum aestivum). We employed an integrative approach combining genomic selection and phenotypic evaluation to identify and propagate drought-resistant genotypes. Using a diverse panel of 200 wheat accessions, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to pinpoint loci associated with drought tolerance. Concurrently, we performed controlled environment experiments to assess phenotypic traits such as root architecture, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content under drought conditions. Our findings revealed key quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 2B and 5D, associated with improved root depth and water-use efficiency, with a heritability estimate of 0.65 (p < 0.01). The integration of genomic and phenotypic data enabled the selection of five elite lines demonstrating a 25% increase in yield under water-stressed environments compared to conventional varieties. This study underscores the potential of combining genomic tools with traditional breeding techniques to accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops. Our results provide a robust framework for future crop improvement programs aiming to safeguard food security in the face of global environmental changes.