Genetic Improvement of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) for Enhancing Grain Yield and Adaptability Under Changing Climate

Authors

• Muhammad Umer Farooq, Wheat Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, 38000, PakistanFollow
• Fida Hussain, Wheat Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, 38000, PakistanFollow
• Mehvish Makhdoom, Wheat Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, 38000, PakistanFollow
• Najaf Batool, Wheat Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, 38000, PakistanFollow
• Javed Ahmad, Wheat Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, 38000, PakistanFollow
• Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Wheat Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, 38000, PakistanFollow
• Minahel Shahzadi, Wheat Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, 38000, PakistanFollow

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a fundamental major crop that serves a critical role in ensuring worldwide food availability and sustainability, particularly in developing countries such as Pakistan. Its productivity and yield stability are increasingly threatened by climate change induced stresses such as heat, drought, salinity, evolving pests and disease dynamics. These abiotic and biotic stresses disturb key biological and developmental processes, consequently leading to a decline in grain production and quality. This review synthesizes recent advances in wheat genetic improvement, focusing on breeding strategies and emerging technologies for enhancing grain yield and climate resilience. i.e., how genetic variation, heritability, genetic advance, and gene action contributes in improving grain-yield and enhancing the adaptive potential under changing-climatic conditions. Both additive and non-additive genetic effects are discussed in relation to their significance in breeding strategies and improving complex traits. The review also explores conventional breeding methods such as selection, hybridization, and mutation breeding, alongside modern approaches including marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, genome editing, and speed breeding. These advanced techniques have significantly improved selection accuracy, accelerated breeding cycles, and enhanced genetic advancement in wheat breeding programs. Special attention is given to breeding for stress tolerance, focusing on physiological and biochemical traits linked with heat, drought, and salinity resistance. The integration of traditional and modern breeding approaches, enabled by high-throughput phenotyping, multi-environment testing, and predictive analysis, is highlighted as an effective strategy for developing climate-resilient wheat varieties. Additionally, the purpose of biotechnology and artificial intelligence for increasing breeding progress and decision-making is critically discussed.

Article History

Received: Aug 21, 2026; Accepted: Sep 27, 2026; Published: Sep 30, 2026

Identifier/URL

N/A

Recommended Citation

Farooq, M. U., Hussain, F., Makhdoom, M., Batool, N., Ahmad, J., Khan, M. I., & Shahzadi, M. (2026). Genetic Improvement of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) for Enhancing Grain Yield and Adaptability Under Changing Climate, Journal of Bioresource Management, 13 (3).