ABSTRACT
The availability of a genomic sequence at the online public platforms enables easy development of genic molecular or functional markers. The application of genomics in plant breeding for abiotic stress tolerance has large potential. The field of genomics in abiotic stress tolerance is rather young, and the future perspective is based upon justified use of these highly sophisticated technologies in plant improvement and crop yield under sub-optimal regimes. Genes and Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to plant tolerance to abiotic stress are valuable resources for improving crop phenotype. Marker-assisted backcrossing was used to introgress the identified four QTLs associated with root trait development in the upland rice cultivar Kalinga III from Azucena. QTLs controlling pollen heat tolerance involving pollen germination and pollen tube growth were identified in maize. The incorporation of such complex traits is now possible via QTL mapping and Genomics-Assisted Breeding. QTL cloning should be exhaustively utilized to identify superior allelic variants via EcoTILLING.
