Exploitation of genetic variability in agro-morphological and physiological traits for breeding drought-tolerant wheat genotypes

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to assess the extent of genetic variability and the potential of various agro-morphological and physiological traits in twenty wheat genotypes under moisture stress conditions. The study revealed considerable variation among genotypes for all traits studied, including phenological, yield-contributing, and physiological parameters. High heritability coupled with moderate to high genetic advance was observed for traits such as spike length, thousand grain weight, grain yield per hectare, and leaf waxiness, indicating the predominance of additive gene action and the effectiveness of direct selection for these traits. Physiological indicators like SPAD chlorophyll content and relative water content also exhibited high heritability, confirming their reliability as screening tools for drought tolerance. Conversely, traits such as NDVI I and II showed moderate heritability with low genetic advance, suggesting polygenic control influenced by the environment. The findings underscore the significance of exploiting genetic variability in traits with high heritability and genetic gain for enhancing drought resilience in wheat. The identified genotypes and traits may be effectively utilized in breeding programs aimed at developing drought-tolerant wheat cultivars.