ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE-RESILIENT CROP VARIETIES THROUGH FUNCTIONAL GENE EXPRESSION AND YIELD PERFORMANCE IN DROUGHT-PRONE REGIONS OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Drought stress poses a significant challenge to crop productivity in Pakistan, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This study evaluated the drought tolerance of selected crop varieties through integrated assessments of physiological traits, functional gene expression, and yield performance. Field trials were conducted under water-limited conditions, and key drought-responsive genes, including DREB1, NAC, and dehydrins, were analyzed using qRT-PCR. Results indicated that certain varieties maintained higher relative water content, chlorophyll levels, root/shoot ratios, and biomass, while also exhibiting significant upregulation of stress-responsive genes. These traits were positively correlated with improved grain yield and yield stability. The study highlights the effectiveness of combining molecular, physiological, and agronomic evaluations for identifying climate-resilient crop varieties, providing actionable insights for breeding programs and sustainable agriculture in drought-prone regions of Pakistan.