Breeding Opportunities for Increasing the Efficiency of Water Use and Crop Yield in Temperate Cereals

• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2002.1110
• Publication Date: 2017-07-12T15:32:23Z
• Authors: R. A. Richards; G. J. Rebetzke; A. G. Condon; A. F. van Herwaarden
• Keywords: Limiting; Rainfed agriculture

Genetic advances in grain yield under rainfed conditions have been achieved by empirical breeding methods. Progress is slowed, however, large genotype x season and location interactions arising from unpredictable rainfall, which a feature of dry environments. A good understanding factors limiting and/or regulating now provides us with an opportunity to identify then select for physiological morphological traits that increase the efficiency water use conditions. The incorporation these into breeders' populations should broaden their genetic base. It also may lead faster selection methods result correlated gains yield. Here, we undertake review limit environments discuss opportunities progress overcoming them. examples given are wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), but principles apply all cereal crops grown