A Review of Biotechnology Techniques in Genetic Modification of Crop Plants to Cope with Drought Stress
Subject Areas : Research On Crop Ecophysiology
JABER MEHDINIYA AFRA
1
,
ELAHE REZAEI
2
,
Afshar Zafarani
3
,
nafiseh jalali
4
1 - Department of Agricultural SciencesNational University of Skills (NUS), Tehran, Iran.
2 - Master's Degree in Agricultural Engineering, Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad، mashhad, Iran.
3 - Department of plant production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
4 - phd student of Agroecology Department of Agrotechnology, Agriculture Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mashhad Iran.
Keywords:
Abstract :
A Review of Biotechnology Techniques in Genetic Modification of Crop Plants to Cope with Drought Stress JABER MEHDINIYA AFRA1*، ELAHE REZAEI2 ، AFSHAR ZAFARANI3 ، NAFISEH JALALI4 1-Department of Agricultural SciencesNational University of Skills (NUS), Tehran, Iran. 2-Master's Degree in Agricultural Engineering, Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad، mashhad, Iran. 3-Department of plant production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. 4- phd student of Agroecology Department of Agrotechnology, Agriculture Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mashhad Iran. *Corresponding author’s E-mail: mehdiniya.jaber@gmail.com Received: 20 April 2024 Accepted: 5 June 2024 ABSTRACT Drought stress is one of the most critical limiting factors affecting the growth and productivity of crop plants in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide. Due to its polygenic nature, complex interaction with the environment, and low heritability, genetic improvement for drought tolerance has consistently posed a major challenge in plant breeding programs. In this context, modern biotechnological tools have provided exceptional opportunities for identifying, selecting, and transferring key genes associated with drought resistance. This review article explores the most prominent biotechnological approaches employed in enhancing drought tolerance in crops. These methods include marker-assisted selection (MAS), tissue culture and somaclonal variation, in vitro selection under stress conditions, haploid production and chromosome doubling, and regeneration under stress conditions. Each technique, with its specific potentials and limitations, contributes significantly to optimizing the genetic improvement process in response to drought stress. Furthermore, key challenges such as the genetic complexity of the trait, genotype × environment interactions, lack of sufficient infrastructure, and socio-economic concerns are discussed. Ultimately, this study emphasizes that integrating biotechnological strategies with conventional breeding, alongside the use of advanced phenotyping tools and genomic analyses, can pave the way for developing drought-resilient crop varieties in the near future. Keywords: Plant biotechnology, Genetic improvement, Drought tolerance Molecular markers, Tissue culture, Haploid, Stress-induced regeneration, Somaclonal variation.