The role of genetic diversity and pre‐breeding traits to improve drought and heat tolerance of bread wheat at the reproductive stage

Abstract Extreme weather including heat waves and drought episodes are expected to increase in intensity duration due climate change. Wheat, being a major crop is under extreme threat these stresses especially at the reproductive stage. This review addresses potential of diverse wheat germplasm (originated from landraces synthetic derivatives) cope with stress flowering Here, important marker‐trait associations were reported for sustainable grain production anthesis. Likewise, mechanisms resilience gene expression physiological traits (activities carbohydrate metabolic antioxidant enzymes, endogenous hormonal responses) explored. These studies helped understand genetic basis tolerance certain pre‐breeding related osmotic adjustment, phytohormonal regulation, metabolism, novel genes identified. Moreover, identified genotypes can be utilized breeding cultivars resilient future adverse environments.