Morphological, physiological and biochemical analysis of wheat genotypes under drought stress

Abstract

Drought is a common abiotic stress that seriously affects wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in many parts of the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Therefore, maintaining a sufficient yield under drought conditions has become a priority, particularly considering global environmental changes and increase in world population. In present study wheat genotypes were evaluated for different morphological, physiological and biochemical characters under drought stress. Drought conditions were imposed by holding water irrigation for 15 day before flowering stage. Morphological parameter like plant height, leaf area, and number of tillers recorded in the range of 56.8 - 69.3cm, 14.5 - 44.1 cm, 3.4 - 5.2 respectively. Physiological parameter like chlorophyll content, relative water content was recorded in the range of 44.8 to 58.9, 69.3% to 86.6% respectively. Under biochemical parameter, proline content was recorded in the range 0.11 to 0.86 umole/gmfw. All these parameters were greatly affected under imposed drought conditions. Almost all the parameters were showed decline trend under imposed drought conditions except proline content.