Maize genetic breeding for tolerance to abiotic stress with focus on sustainable use of environmental resources

Abstract

This bibliographic review explored maize genetic breeding to increase tolerance to abiotic stress. The main stresses faced by the crop, such as water stress and nitrogen deficiency, and their negative impacts on grain yield were discussed. Strategies to minimize these effects were examined, focusing on the selection of tolerant genotypes and the strategic positioning of these genotypes in different growing environments. The germplasm bank and genetic diversity were highlighted as crucial resources to identify desirable traits and genes associated with resistance to abiotic stress. The selection of secondary characters, considering their heritability and correlation with characters of interest, allows maximizing the efficiency in the selection of promising genotypes in genetic breeding programs. Test environments simulating stresses, such as water stress and low nitrogen, are essential to evaluate the performance of genotypes and identify the most tolerant ones. The genetic breeding of maize for tolerance to abiotic stress promotes promising solutions to face environmental challenges and ensure the sustainability of agricultural production.