Response of selected drought tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for agronomic traits and biochemical markers under drought-stressed and non-stressed conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACTGenetic improvement of wheat for drought tolerance can be achieved by developing suitable ideotypes with enhanced yield-response associated with agronomic traits and biochemical markers. The objective of this study was to determine drought response of elite drought tolerant wheat genotypes using agronomic and biochemical traits to select promising lines for breeding. Fourteen wheat genotypes selected from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center’s heat and drought tolerance nursery and one standard check variety were evaluated under drought-stressed (DS) and non-stressed (NS) conditions using a randomised complete block design in three replications. Significant (P < 0.05) genotype, drought condition and genotype × drought condition interaction effect were detected for the tested traits suggesting differential response of genotype for selection. Grain yield positively correlated with sucrose (r = 0.58; P < 0.05), fructose (r = 0.52; P < 0.05) and total sugar (r = 0.52; P < 0.05) contents under NS condition and with sucrose (r = 0.80; P < 0.001), total sugar (r = 0.84; P < 0.001) content, proline content (r = 0.74; P < 0.001) and number of grains per spike (r = 0.58; P < 0.05) under DS condition. Genetically unrelated wheat genotypes such as SM04, SM19, SM29, SM32, SM45 and SM97 possessing key agronomic and biochemical traits were selected for cultivar development for drought-stressed environments.