Crop Breeding for Drought Tolerance in the Seed Industry.

Water scarcity and drought are among the most pressing contemporary challenges for agricultural sustainability and innovative cropping systems that increase resiliency to drought are a critical need. Increasing water-limited crop yield depends a combination of new crop genetics and improved soil and water management approaches. This presentation outlines the approach of a commercial plant breeding company, Dupont Pioneer, for the development of maize hybrids with improved drought tolerance. Dupont Pioneer has an extensive program in drought tolerance and has  released numerous drought tolerant hybrids under the brand name Optimum AQUAmax. The presentation will highlight the development process and the potential of genetic improvment as a key component of adapting cropping systems to drought.