This study seeks to answer the following question: “What are the prospects
for genetic improvement in drought-tolerant plants?”. The objective is to
yield an update of the strategies, in research and development, in order to
provide farmers with plants showing a better drought tolerance potential
compare to the current varieties.

The approach is based on facts and is also prospective. Based on facts,
for the authors are intent on making as precise an account as possible of
the information they have gathered. It is prospective, because droughttolerance
research is still in its infancy. At the time this study was
launched, no new variety primarily claiming such an advantage was
being commercialised. However, this issue itself attracts considerable
scientific investment in both public and private research...