Phenotyping Corn Under Drought Conditions Using a Crop Growth Modeling Approach.

Breeders seeking to improve drought tolerance in field crops must tackle the complex interactions between genetics and environments that determine trait expression. Current technology allows breeders to develop a deep understanding of the genetic features of populations and implement molecular enhanced breeding strategies.  We proposed that to fully realize the potential of this technology it is necessary to a) design and implement phenotyping strategies based on physiological principles, and b) improve empirical genetic models used for predicting trait variation that incorporate the effects of genetic interactions and be interpreted within a genotype-environment-management (G*E*M) framework. Crop growth models that are structured to capture dynamic interactions of the physiological determinants of crop growth and development can provide a framework for considering the interplay of genetic elements genes and environments in a way that adds value to the well-established and effective statistical framework for breeding. In this presentation, we review concepts in gene-to-phenotype modeling and associated technologies to enable maize breeding for improved drought tolerance..