Recurrent selection as breeding strategy for heat tolerance in wheat.

The development of heat-tolerant varieties is an important goal of wheat breeding programs, requiring efficient selection methods. In the present study the use of recurrent selection was evaluated as a strategy to improve heat stress tolerance in wheat. Two cycles of recurrent selection were performed in experiments conducted in research areas of the Universidade Federal de Vicosa, located in Coimbra-MG and Vicosa-MG, in 2004 and 2007, in two growing seasons (summer and winter). The genetic gain and the existence of variability show the possibility of successful recurrent selection for heat- tolerance in wheat.