Crop breeding to drought tolerance

Aim. Based on our own experimental results and analysis of publications of the world’s leading scientific institutions, to substantiate the need to strengthen breeding work to increase the adaptive potential and drought resistance of new varieties. To highlight the mechanism of action of drought, methods of creating the starting material, the main morphological, physiological and biochemical signs that affect the level of resistance to stress. Methods. Field experiments were carried out in the steppe zone of Ukraine, which is characterized by a small amount of precipitation, high air temperature and long inter-rainy periods during the growing season of crops. Results. For successful breeding work, it is necessary to take into account the influence of the interaction of the genotype with environmental factors. Based on multi-zone tests, it is possible to identify new genotypes that will demonstrate broad or specific adaptability to a particular type of environment and build models with different levels of environmental factors. Under dry conditions, a unique breeding material of soybeans and chickpeas with a high level of drought resistance was obtained, which can serve as a genetic basis for further improvement of this trait. Conclusions. Based on such morphological traits as the area of the leaf surface and its condition, aboveground mass, plant height, growth intensity, it is possible to objectively assess genotypes tolerant to water stress. The creation of ultra-early ripening varieties makes it possible to avoid drought.