Rooting for resilience: central metaxylem area as a breeding target for yield gain and resilience in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Central metaxylem area based axial hydraulic conductance is explaining more than 14 per cent of variation in the yield across the environment and this along with whole root area and proper phenological adjustment can play key role in yield consolidation with high resilience under more likely uncertain production condition in the future. Three out of five genotypes consistently being picked by different stability models are derivative of HDCSW18, a variety released for conservation agriculture condition and with very strong root system and biomass. High biomass accumulation facilitated by early seeding of the genotypes with mild vernalisation requirement with high root central metaxylem area can sustain higher seed production under challenging climates and thus the findings contribute to strategies for improving wheat resilience.