Breeding for improved water productivity in temperate cereals: phenotyping, quantitative trait loci, markers and the selection environment

Consistent gains in grain yield in dry environments have been made by empirical breeding although there is disturbing evidence that these gains may have slowed. There are few examples where an understanding of the physiology and the genetics of putative important drought-related traits has led to improved yields. Success will first depend on identifying the most important traits in the target regions. It will then depend on accurate and fast...