Improving wheat yield through increases in heat tolerance of leaf carbon exchange GRDC ANU2304-001RTX

We will screen diverse populations of wheat germplasm - known to differ in heat tolerance as measured by yields during hot seasons - for variability in the heat responses of key biochemical steps in the photosynthetic and respiratory pathways. By coupling hyperspectral measurements to trait screens, we will deliver new high throughput, low-cost tools that enable improved selection accuracy for heat tolerance in breeding programs. We will combine the results of our screens with population genetic structure to identify loci, markers and candidate genes to enable breeding of heat tolerant germplasm that can: maintain photosynthetic CO2 uptake on hot days; and, reduce respiratory CO2 release during hot nights. Our integrated strategy will determine which underlying metabolic traits best define and determine yield in hot climates, and can and should be used in genomic selection approaches to achieve complementary trait stacking.