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Genetic gain for agronomic, physiological, and biochemical traits and quality attributes in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Genetic improvements for yield-component traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) have resulted in substantial contributions to wheat yield increases globally. Conversely, yield gains have tended to reduce genetic gains for grain quality traits, requiring a strategic breeding approach for simultaneous improvement of grain yield and grain quality. The objective of this review is to highlight breeding progress on genetic improvement of agronomic, physiological, and biochemical traits, grain quality, and bread-making attributes in bread wheat. Genetic gains for agronomic, physiological, and biochemical yield-component traits and their influence on yield response and genetic potential are discussed. Genetic changes in grain quality traits and bread-making attributes and how they are influenced by gains for yield and yield-component traits are also presented. Also, the paper presents wheat genetic resources to enhance genetic gains for yield-component and quality traits. Perspectives on future breeding efforts to improve genetic gains for yield, yield-related traits, and grain quality traits are discussed. Genetic gain in grain yield of 15.3 ha−1 year−1 (0.7%) were reported for Siberia, 15.3–57.5 kg ha−1 year−1 for Canada, 15.3–103.5 kg ha−1 year−1 for China, 15.3–31.0 kg ha−1 year−1 for Iran, 33.9–34.8 kg ha−1 year−1 for Brazil, 33.1–40 kg ha−1 year−1 for Mexico, 14.6–30.4 kg ha−1 year−1 for the USA, 18 kg ha−1 year−1 for Australia, and 58.0 kg ha−1 year−1 for Turkey. The most important agronomic traits that contributed to significant improvements in yield gains include short plant height, high biomass production, higher harvest index, increased number of kernels per spike, and greater thousand kernel weight.

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Acknowledgements

The Winter Cereal Trust (WCT), the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa are acknowledged for all-round support of this study.

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  1. Crop Science Discipline, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    Zamalotswa Thungo, Hussein Shimelis, Alfred Odindo & Jacob Mashilo

  2. African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    Zamalotswa Thungo, Hussein Shimelis & Jacob Mashilo

  3. Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Towoomba Research Station, Private Bag X1615, Bela-Bela, 0480, South Africa

    Jacob Mashilo

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  1. Zamalotswa Thungo
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Thungo, Z., Shimelis, H., Odindo, A. et al. Genetic gain for agronomic, physiological, and biochemical traits and quality attributes in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): a meta-analysis. Euphytica 217, 119 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-021-02846-4

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