Evaluation of several tropical wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) on various water availability in the lowlands

Abstract

Wheat as a cereal crop has a strategic role in supporting food security and to meet human needs on food. Nutritional content of wheat is relatively higher than other cereal plants. This research aimed to study the adaptability, growth, and production of some wheat mutant lines at various water availability in the lowlands. The research was carried out in the Experimental Garden, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Hasanuddin from November 2017 to January 2018. Location of the trial was at an altitude of < 40 meters above sea level with an average temperature of 24 ºC in the morning and 32 ºC in the afternoon. A split plot design was employed in this study with the availability of water set as the main plot and the wheat mutant genotypes as subplots. Three levels of water availability was used, 81-100% field capacity, 61-80% field capacity, and 41-60% field capacity. The wheat mutant genotypes used consisted of 15 genotypes (13 mutants and 2 comparative varieties). The results of the research show that wheat genotypes grown in the lowland that showed better production in restricted water availability (61 - 80% of field capacity) were Nias 250 4.6.2 (0.95 g. plant−1), and Nias 350 3.8. 9 (1.10 g.plant−1). Whereas in the 41 - 60% of the field capacity, the Nias 250 4.6.2 and Nias 350 3.8.9 produced better yield of 0.40 g.plant−1.