Drought stress effect, tolerance, and management in wheat – a review

Abstract

Wheat is the most important cereal crop in the world. It contributes as a major source of protein and calories in the daily human diet. Drought has become a major abiotic stress that severely affects wheat production globally. Changing rainfall patterns, increased atmospheric CO₂ levels, rises in atmospheric temperature and hot and dry winds are the major causes of drought stress. It has morphological, physiological, and biochemical consequences such as reduced yield performance, yield attributing parameters, germination, and seed vigor, early leaf senescence, early maturity, decreased chlorophyll content, decreased Rubisco activity, decreased photosynthesis, and decreased starch accumulation. Drought produces reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative damage to the plants leading to programmed cell death. Wheat plant has developed various tolerance mechanisms such as drought escape, avoidance, and tolerance to protect them from drought. Increasing trichome density and leaf waxiness, root: shoot ratio, stay green, accumulation of proline, production of various enzymes viz; superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate (APX), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), osmotic adjustment, ABA accumulation, and formation of dehydrins leads to drought tolerance. Screening of the various genotypes for the identification of novel trait combinations, genetic engineering, and transgenic approaches (incorporates, transfer, and introduces the desirable gene into the desired plants) and thereby the adaptable varieties can be selected and induced to develop new varieties with desired characteristics would be a major genetic management strategies to overcome drought, increase production, and ensure the food and nutritional security of the world.

Keywords:

• Food security
• osmotic adjustment
• oxidative damage
• programmed cell death
• reactive oxygen species
• stay green

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Manuel Tejada, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

SUBJECTS:

• Agriculture & Environmental Sciences; Agriculture; Environmental Sciences; Agriculture and Food

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shivalal Nyaupane

The author Shivalal Nyaupane was born on 9 July, 2001 as the Son of Mr. Reshamraj Nyaupane and Laxmi Nyaupane at Arbeni-5 in Gulmi district, Nepal. He had completed his School Leaving Certificate (S.L.C) in 2072 from Shaligram Higher Secondary School. He received intermediate Degree in Science (+2) from Manimukunda College in 2075 and joined his Bachelor degree at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Paklihawa Campus, Bhairahawa, Rupandehi under B.Sc. Ag programme in 2076. The author is a dedicated, hardworking and self-driven individual, with an honest interest in plant breeding research works. He published some articles in international journals and has been an active part of agriculture-related training and seminars. Interested researchers can reach out to him via phone [phone]) and email ([email protected]).