Does Drought Tolerance Enhance Crop Stability Performance?

Abstract

Global food security is threatened by climate change, especially worsening droughts, which disrupt crop production. This review closely examines the association between drought tolerance and yield stability, investigating whether breeding for drought tolerance naturally improves performance consistency across different environments. It discusses key drought-response mechanisms—escape, avoidance, and tolerance—along with their physiological trade-offs and relevance in various agroecological settings. A primary focus is on genotype-by-environment (G × E) interactions, particularly crossover effects, complicating selection choices and underscoring the necessity for both specific and broad adaptation strategies. The review compiles evidence from multi-environment trials, demonstrating how advanced tools like genomic selection, envirotyping, and high-throughput phenotyping can identify genotypes that blend drought resilience with stable yield potential. Additionally, case studies of major crops including maize, wheat, sorghum, rice, and legumes showcase successful breeding programs that have improved both traits. Methodological frameworks such as regression-based stability indices, genotype + genotype-by-environment interaction (GGE) biplots, and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) models are presented as crucial instruments for measuring performance under varying conditions. This chapter concludes by suggesting future breeding directions, stressing the integration of climate models, genomic tools, and de novo domestication to address the complex challenge of ensuring food production in water-scarce and increasingly unpredictable climates. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2026.