Abstract
Drought stress directly affects the growth along with productivity of plants by altering plant water status. The present study was carried out to characterize the genetic variability for seedling and morpho-physiological parameters in different sunflower genotypes under water stressed conditions. A total twenty seven genotypes including two hybrids, eight advanced lines and seventeen accessions of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were tested against drought stress at seedling stages by applying Polyethylene glycol (PEG). Significant means were calculated among traits using analysis of variance (ANOVA) whereas, correlation and principle component analysis also confirmed that germination percentage, root length, shoot length, chlorophyll content, stomatal frequency are positively linked with each other hence, these traits were responsible for most of variation among genotypes. The cluster analysis showed that genotypes Ausun, line-1, line-2, line-3, 17578, 17570, line-6, line-7 and 17562 are more diverse among all the genotypes.
Highlights
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has emerged as an economically important crop of Pakistan
The present study was carried out to characterize the genetic variability for seedling and morpho-physiological parameters in different sunflower genotypes under water stressed conditions
Significant means were calculated among traits using analysis of variance (ANOVA) whereas, correlation and principle component analysis confirmed that germination percentage, root length, shoot length, chlorophyll content, stomatal frequency are positively linked with each other these traits were responsible for most of variation among genotypes
Summary
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has emerged as an economically important crop of Pakistan. Water shortage is becoming a key problem for sustainable agriculture in Pakistan. The reduced precipitation, along with high evapo-transpiration is expected to subject natural agricultural vegetation to a great possibility of severe and delayed water stress with every passing year (Shamim et al, 2013). Crop responses toward drought stresses involve processes modulated by water shortage at morphological, anatomical, cellular and molecular levels. The changes which occur in the whole plant organs in response to water stress reduce plant photosynthesis resulting in grain yield decline. It would be very useful to develop effectual strategies to reduce drought stress damage in crop plants. (Tardieu and Tuberosa, 2010) It would be very useful to develop effectual strategies to reduce drought stress damage in crop plants. (Tardieu and Tuberosa, 2010)
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