Morphological, Physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Responses of Wheat vs Drought Stresses: A Review

Abstract

Drought stress is becoming a serious challenge for international food security. Prevailing climate change, complex nature of genetic response to drought and multifaceted character of drought-associated traits make drought more pronounced. Drought severely impairs plant growth and development, production and performance of crop plants. It causes significant yield reduction and brings shrinkage of farmlands compared to other abiotic factors. Worldwide, wheat is the most important food crop contributing one fifth of total dietary calories and proteins. However, recurrent drought associated with climate change is among the principal constraints to global productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and T. durum L.). Based on genetic variability within and among wheat species, there is morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular attributes against water stress. This review illustrates, change in these attributes in wheat and functional genomics through transgenic wheat as drought tolerance mechanisms in wheat. Potential challenges and associated opportunities in drought tolerance development in wheat are also highlighted.

Keywords: Climate change, drought tolerance, genetic variability, transgenic wheat.