Leaf Water Status, Seed Yield and Water-Use Efficiency of Wheat Cultivars under Induced Drought Conditions

Abstract

Water shortages are an important factor limiting grain production in many parts of the world. In pot experiment six spring wheat cultivars viz., BARIGOM-23, BARIGOM-24, BARIGOM-25, BARIGOM-26, BARIGOM-27, and BARIGOM-28 were grown under well watered and drought conditions to evaluate their genetic variations by relative leaf water content (RWC), growth and water use efficiencies (WUE) under well watered and drought conditions. Significant variations were found in RWC, seed yield and yield components, HI and water-use efficiencies among wheat cultivars under well watered and drought conditions. Drought adversely affected RWC, seed yield and yield components compared to well watered condition. All the cultivars significantly improved their performances under well watered condition. Overall wheat cultivars BARIGOM-23 seemed to be superior in most of the characters. Cultivars BARIGOM-26 and BARIGOM-27 also showed good performances, whereas BARIGOM-24 was the inferior to most of the characters. A clear significant positive linear relationship was found between WUE and seed yield, and HI at well watered and drought conditions. This also indicated that genetic improvement in HI and seed yield were associated with WUE. To select or develop drought tolerant high yielding varieties emphasis should be given on these characters especially grain yield, HI and water-use efficiencies at different water levels.