Creating phenotypic signatures for drought efficiency of cereals

In cereal breeding, the question arises of yield reduction and the yield components that are affected in the early growth stages up to ear emergence. Understanding drought efficiency during tillering and grain filling plays an important role in improving the number of fertile tillers. At the University and Research Centre Tulln, phenotyping signatures for cereal crops are being developed and a database of drought-resistant varieties (barley and wheat) is being created. Fifty Central European introgressive lines of spring barley and fifty genotypes of spring durum wheat, including both commercially important and newly developed varieties, are being used. This study aims to use advanced digital phenotyping techniques to predict important traits of plant varieties under different climatic conditions. Using RGB, 3D LiDAR and thermal imaging, we will capture, analyse and model phenotypic signatures. The effects of drought will be monitored and evaluated at both early and late stages of growth. In addition, the combined effects of drought and temperature will be investigated to understand the broader impacts of climate change on plant development. All varieties will be genotyped and correlated with phenotypic data to identify genetic markers associated with resistance and performance. This integrative approach will improve our understanding of the yield components that are more or less strongly influenced in the early stages (emergence and grain filling) from crop establishment to heading.