Phenotypic selection of high-yielding, water-productive wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) putative mutants under well-watered and limited-irrigation conditions

Evaluation of multi-environment adaptability of flour quality traits in spring wheat varieties and screening of high-quality genotypes using AMMI and GGE models

To clarify the regulatory effects of genotype (G), natural environment (E, defined as site × year), and genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E) on the core quality traits of spring wheat and to screen high-quality, stable cultivars and rational water and nitrogen management strategies for the Ili River Valley in Xinjiang, we conducted field experiments across three typical ecological sites over two consecutive growing years. Eight spring wheat varieties belonging to four quality types (strong gluten, medium-strong gluten, medium gluten, and weak gluten) were tested under nine water–nitrogen combined management treatments (three irrigation levels × three nitrogen levels). Six core processing quality traits, including water absorption, dough stability time, and grain protein content, were measured. In accordance with revised statistical criteria, phenotypic data from all water and nitrogen management treatments were averaged for each natural environment to eliminate artificial management interference. The AMMI model, GGE biplot analysis, and multivariate comprehensive evaluation were adopted to systematically dissect trait variation, genotypic stability, and environmental adaptability. The results showed that the six quality traits were synergistically regulated by genotype, natural environment, and G × E interaction with distinct trait-specific responses. Dough extensograph area and extension resistance exhibited strong genetic dominance, with genotypic variation dominating phenotypic variation. In contrast, grain protein content was more sensitive to natural environmental fluctuation, showing relatively higher environmental dependency. Spatially, the Gongliu site presented the most favorable ecological conditions and superior comprehensive wheat quality performance among the three experimental environments. Appropriate water and nitrogen management significantly optimized spring wheat quality performance, and the optimal water–nitrogen combination for the coordinated improvement of multiple quality traits was determined. Comprehensive evaluation based on revised AMMI and GGE models demonstrated that Neimai 17 possessed the best comprehensive quality performance and wide environmental adaptability, while Hechun 137 and Xinchun 37 also exhibited stable and excellent quality characteristics across diverse natural environments. This study systematically clarifies the G × E regulatory patterns of spring wheat quality traits in arid ecological conditions, establishes an effective multi-model fusion screening system for high-quality and stable wheat cultivars, and provides a theoretical basis and technical support for germplasm improvement, regional variety layout, and green and high-efficiency production of specialized spring wheat in the Ili River Valley and similar northwest arid regions of China.

Do modern winter wheat cultivars outperform traditional landraces under cold stress? A large-scale agro-morphological evaluation.

BACKGROUND Cold stress remains a primary abiotic constraint limiting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity in high-altitude environments. While landraces represent an underexplored reservoir of adaptive traits, integrating their genetic diversity with modern breeding goals requires advanced selection tools. This study evaluated the agro-morphological performance, quality characteristics, and cold hardiness of 180 purified wheat landraces together with six registered cultivars (checks), totaling 186 genotypes from Eastern Anatolia. Using an augmented experimental design over two growing seasons in Erzurum, Türkiye, we aimed to integrate stability parameters with modern multi-trait selection indices (MGIDI and FAI-BLUP) to identify superior genotypes for continental climates. Adjusted means were obtained using a mixed model approach, and genotype effects were estimated as best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs), which were subsequently used for multivariate analyses. RESULTS Substantial genotypic variation was observed across all traits. A significant yield gap was detected, with registered cultivars outperforming landraces in mean grain yield (2751.9 kg ha⁻¹ vs. 1556.5 kg ha⁻¹), whereas landraces demonstrated superior grain physical properties, particularly in thousand-kernel weight. Cold tolerance screening identified critical survival thresholds: all cultivars and 28 landraces survived at - 13 °C, while only seven landraces-maintained viability at - 15 °C. At - 19 °C, only the cultivar Alparslan survived. MGIDI analysis confirmed the agronomic superiority of modern cultivars (G181-G186), which ranked closest to the multi-trait ideotype at a 15% selection intensity. However, specific landraces (G81 and G173) emerged as highly divergent genotypes, successfully bridging the gap between landrace-driven grain quality and cultivar-driven cold resilience. CONCLUSION The integration of multi-trait indices enabled more robust identification of elite germplasm compared to traditional ranking approaches. While modern cultivars demonstrated a clear adaptive advantage in cold-prone environments, the identified elite landraces serve as valuable reservoirs of adaptive genetic variation. Genotypes G183, G181 (Alparslan), G81, and G184 are recommended as primary parental resources for breeding programs aiming to combine high yield potential with extreme cold resilience under fluctuating climatic conditions. This study offers one of the first large-scale integrations of traditional landrace diversity with modern multi-trait selection indices under extreme continental conditions, providing a practical framework for ideotype-oriented breeding in cold-prone environments.

Phenotypic variation in drought response for a double-haploid population of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Exploring genetic diversity and stress adaptation in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under terminal heat stress

Climate-Resilient Bread Wheat for Arid Environments: Adaptation and Yield Performance of Diverse Genotypes Across Contrasting Growing Conditions

Environmental variability poses major challenges to bread wheat production in arid regions. This study evaluated the adaptation, productivity, and grain quality of fifteen diverse bread wheat genotypes. The evaluated germplasm comprised advanced breeding lines developed by the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), Saudi landraces, newly released cultivars, and a cultivar derived from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Field experiments were conducted over two consecutive growing seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024) at two contrasting arid environments in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh exhibited warmer, drier conditions, with higher soil calcium carbonate content than Hail. Significant effects (p ≤ 0.01) of genotype, environment, and genotype-by-environment interaction were detected for all traits studied. Compared with Hail, Riyadh exhibited lower grain and biological yields, fewer spikes/m2, lighter grains, reduced plant height, and shorter growth duration. Riyadh-1 achieved the highest grain yield (7.54 t/ha) and biological yield (21.44 t/ha). ACS-1454, ACS-1422, ACS-1372, and Maeaa also demonstrated superior productivity and adaptation. Local landraces were characterized by late heading and maturity, whereas ACS-1454, ACS-1422, ACS-1400, and ACS-1464 exhibited early phenology across environments. LR-12 and LR-599 exhibited the highest protein and gluten contents, whereas Riyadh-1 and Yecora recorded the highest gluten index values. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, and AMMI identified Riyadh-1, ACS-1454, ACS-1422, ACS-1372 and Maeaa as promising candidates for cultivation and breeding. Furthermore, the local landraces (LR-12 and LR-599) represent valuable sources of adaptive genetic diversity and grain quality for climate-resilient wheat cultivars.

Genomics-Assisted Breeding for Drought Tolerance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Recent Advances and Future Prospects

Overall, transcription factors from the DREB, NAC, MYB, and WRKY families are still considered the primary regulatory targets, but CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing is now able to provide precise, multiplex gene modifications in polyploid wheat.