Combining Trait Physiology, Crop Modelling and Molecular Genetics to Improve Wheat Adaptation to Terminal Water-Stress Targeting Stay-Green and Root Traits

Abstract

Terminal drought stress is currently a major constraint in many wheat production regions. This is predicted to worsen with future climate change. The stay-green phenotype allows crops to remain green and photosynthesize for longer after anthesis, potentially improving yields in terminal drought environments. Root systems with greater root length density at depth can contribute by increasing access to deep soil moisture late in the season. To study the genetics of root and stay-green traits in wheat, a multi reference parent nested association mapping (NAM) population was developed. Using the “speed breeding” system of rapid generation advance, over 1500 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) were generated in approximately 18 months. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using a novel whole-genome NAM method (WG-NAM) identified genetic regions associated with the target traits. High-throughput techniques were developed and used for the NAM lines to (i) phenotype seedling roots in controlled conditions, and (ii) objectively characterize novel stay-green traits for hundreds of genotypes in standard yield plots in the field. NAM lines were phenotyped for yield and stay-green traits at multiple water-stressed and non-stressed environments during 4 seasons. Particular traits were associated with superior adaptation to certain environments. Many lines with adaptive root and stay-green traits exhibited superior yield to the reference parent in relevant target environments and 54 such lines have been provided to commercial Australian wheat breeders for cultivar development. This combination of technologies is increasing understanding of physiological adaptation to water-limited environments in wheat and helping accelerate genetic progress.