2024, Vol. 7, Special Issue 8

author(s)
Latief Bashir, Azhar Mehmood, Adil Rahim Magray, Shambhavi Singh, Ayushi Yadav, Adil Gani, Suhail Manzoor, Manisha Verma and Suhail Ansari

abstract
In 2018, the completion of the common wheat genome sequence marked a pivotal achievement in plant genomics, providing the world's most widely cultivated crop with a comprehensive reference genome. The hexaploid nature of wheat, characterized by a 17 Gb genome nearly 40 times larger than that of rice, posed significant challenges due to its complexity and polyploidy. An international consortium dedicated over a decade to sequencing efforts, culminating in a reference genome that reestablishes wheat as a vital model for polyploid plants. This advancement facilitates deeper insights into evolutionary, domestication, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms while enhancing our understanding of genetic diversity and breeding. The improved genome resolution is anticipated to accelerate the development of wheat cultivars with enhanced tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, leading to better quality and higher yields. Recent advancements in wheat transformation methods and genetic mapping have enabled the cloning and functional analysis of numerous genes, further driven by integrating expertise from other model plants and bioinformatics. Significant progress has also been made in bridging the genotype-to-phenotype gap, particularly in Asia, where advancements in genomics and phenomics are being leveraged for gene and trait discovery. This review covers over 57 homeologous genes linked to important traits and explores the strategies used for their discovery. Additionally, it discusses advancements in wheat phenomics and analytical approaches for understanding adaptability, climate resilience, and resistance to pests and diseases. The achievement of a gold-standard reference genome sequence for bread wheat, alongside the forthcoming de novo reference sequences from diverse cultivars, will strengthen the foundation for accelerated gene discovery and enable knowledge-based breeding practices, reinforcing the future of wheat research and crop improvement.