Quantitative Trait Loci and Crop Performance under Abiotic Stress: Where Do We Stand?

From:: Department for International Development
Published: 1 January 2008

Document Type:: Journal Article
Theme:: Agriculture
Authors:: Tardieu, F., Tuberosa, R., Collins, N.C.

Abstract

The improvement of crop yield has been possible through the indirect manipulation of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control heritable variability of the traits and physiological mechanisms that determine biomass production and its partitioning. This article surveys how QTL-based approaches contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of crop performance under environmentally constrained conditions and critically analyzes how this knowledge can assist breeders accelerate the release of cultivars better able to cope with abiotic constraints.

Citation