Trends of Waterlogging Tolerance Studies in the Poaceae

Abstract

Studies conducted on varietal differences in waterlogging tolerance and its hereditary nature are reviewed. Specific focus is directed to waterlogging tolerance-related traits, including root aerenchyma formation in upland crops of Poaceae such as wheat, barley and maize. New breeding approaches to the development of waterlogging-tolerant crops are also discussed. Though the species differences toward waterlogging tolerance are clear in the Poaceae, varietal differences are not clear and cultivars having waterlogging tolerance have not been developed. Genetic resources useful for the breeding of waterlogging tolerance have been recently identified in the wild relatives of several domestic species; and waterlogging tolerant cultivars may be generated by transferring genes controlling root aerenchyma formation and/or shallow rooting to domestic crops via a marker-assisted-breeding approach.