Shiying Yu

Biotechnology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, China
Author    Correspondence author
Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 3   
Received: 29 Mar., 2025    Accepted: 11 May, 2025    Published: 27 May, 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Drought stress represents a significant constraint on Triticeae crop productivity, particularly affecting wheat, barley, and rye in semi-arid regions. In this review, we systematically examine field-validated quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that are associated with drought-responsive traits in Triticeae, emphasizing their relevance to breeding programs. We begin by addressing the agricultural impact of drought stress and the limitations of controlled-environment studies compared to field-based evaluations. We then explore the methodologies used for QTL mapping under field conditions, including phenotyping strategies, statistical models, and the challenges posed by environmental heterogeneity. The review identifies key drought-responsive QTLs linked to traits such as root architecture, water-use efficiency, stay-green, canopy temperature, and grain yield components. A detailed case study on wheat highlights successful QTL discovery, validation across genetic backgrounds, and integration into elite lines via marker-assisted selection. Furthermore, we discuss how genomic resources such as high-density SNP arrays, GWAS, and transcriptomic tools are enhancing the precision of QTL identification. Looking ahead, we outline the promise of genomic selection, gene editing, and participatory breeding in accelerating the development of drought-resilient culTriticeae tivars. This study underscores the importance of multidisciplinary approaches and real-world validation in translating QTL research into sustainable agricultural outcomes under climate variability.

Drought tolerance; Triticeae; QTL mapping; Field phenotyping; Marker-assisted selection