Assessment of Soft Wheat Genotypes Triticum aestivum L for Drought Tolerance at Germination and Early Seedling Growth Stages.

Abstract

Drought has a harmful influence on the development and production of wheat crop. The response of soft wheat Triticum aestivum L plants to drought varies depending on the plant variety and growth stage. This study aimed to screen five genotypes of soft wheat to determine which genotypes are tolerant to drought stress at germination and seedling growth stages. Five genotypes of wheat plants were treated with two levels of drought in addition to the control. During the germination stage, wheat seeds were exposed to two levels 5 and 10% of Polyethylene Glycol 6000 solution. The study was planned according to a completely randomized design, with (45) experimental units, with (15) experimental units for each level of drought in addition to the control treatment, and with (3) replicates for each genotype. The results varied depending on the response of wheat genotype to drought. The findings revealed that there were very significant differences (P<0.001)) in both the seedling vigor index and the drought tolerance index traits, and a highly significant difference (P<0.01)) in the germination percentage trait under increasing severity of drought. In addition, the study revealed the presence of some drought-tolerant genotypes, and based on the drought tolerance index (%), the genotype (MEW22-1) is considered the most drought-tolerant at the germination stage. The study recommends further research and studies to assess the effect of drought on the growth and productivity of crops under field conditions and at different stages of plant life.