Improvement of Wheat (Triticum spp.) Through Genetic Manipulation

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum spp.) is one of the global leading cereals used as food and forage. It is the major source of carbohydrates and proteins for the human diet. Ongoing global warming and climatic changes significantly limit wheat production and grain quality. To cope up these adverse effects, genetic modifications and gene editing (CRISPR-CAS9) have become the time-effective state-of-the-art tools in the post-genomic era, in comparison with the available classical breeding and genetic approaches. Due to the advent of many gene-editing platforms and useful genes from diverse plant sources, it becomes easier to introduce genes from its source to other plants with desirable traits. However, validation of genes and trait stability are the key points for developing transgenics with better characters. In this regard, transgenic wheat production is useful to study the trait introgression in different genetic backgrounds of crop species. In this chapter, we showcase the available technologies for genetic manipulations in wheat and how candidate gene resources are useful to make the crop more resilient to abiotic stresses, resistant to biotic stresses, tolerant to herbicides, enhanced yield and nutritional improvement.