Breeding to Improve Grain Yield in Water-limited Environments: the CSIRO Experience with Wheat

Abstract

Abstract In this chapter, the traits of wheat (including xylem vessel diameter of seminal roots, tiller inhibition, early seedling vigour, gibberellic acid-responsive dwarfing genes, extended vegetative growth, root growth and architecture, waxiness/glaucousness, transpiration efficiency, stem carbohydrate storage and remobilization and leaf-rolling) studied by CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) are described, together with an outline of the environments where they are likely to be most effective, ways to select for them, results of validation, proof-of-concept tests and whether they are currently incorporated in breeding programmes. These traits are..