A COMMERCIAL BREEDING PERSPECTIVE OF MAIZE IMPROVEMENT FOR DROUGHT STRESS TOLERANCE

As the most produced grain crop in the world, maize (Zea mays) isa cornerstone of the global agricultural economy. Technological innovationsin molecular genetics, environmental characterization, and predictive breedinghave continued to drive genetic gain in maize, even for target populations ofenvironments with high heterogeneity of water availability. Environments proneto drought stress remain key targets where genetic gain must continue to maintain a resilient food supply. Here we review advances towards improving maize drought tolerance; the review focused on molecular and physiological mechanisms underpinning drought tolerance, and methodologies that improve prediction of the genotype by environment interactions under drought conditions.