Improving genotypic adaptation in crops - a role for breeders, physiologists and modellers

Approaches using breeding, physiology and modelling for evaluating adaptation of plant genotypes to target environments are discussed and methods of characterizing the target environments outlined. Traditional approaches, and their limitations, to evaluation of genotypic adaptation using statistical and classificatory techniques with a phenotypic model are discussed. It is suggested that a simple biological model is the most appropriate framework in which to integrate physiology and modelling with plant breeding. Methods by which physiology and modelling may contribute to assessment of adaptive traits and to selection for adaptation in a breeding programme are considered