In silico evaluation of plant genetic resources to search for traits for adaptation to climate change

Abstract

Plant genetic resources display patterns resulting from ecological and co-evolutionary processes. Such patterns are instrumental in tracing the origin and diversity of crops and locating adaptive traits. With climate change and the anticipated increase in demand for food, new crop varieties will be needed to perform under unprecedented climatic conditions. In the present study, we explored genetic resources patterns to locate traits of adaptation to drought and to maximize the utilization of plant genetic resources lacking ex ante evaluation for emerging climate conditions. This approach is based on the use of mathematical models to predict traits as response variables driven by stochastic ecological and co-evolutionary processes. The high congruence of metrics between model predictions and empirical trait evaluations confirms in silico evaluation as an effective tool to manage large numbers of crop accessions lacking ex ante evaluation. This outcome will assist in developing cultivars adaptable to various climatic conditions and in the ultimate use of genetic resources to sustain agricultural productivity under conditions of climate change.