Field Screening of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes for Drought Tolerance under Medium and High Rainfall Conditions

Abstract

Forty wheat genotypes possessing diverse genetic makeup were tested in field under medium rainfall conditions at Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Chakwal and under high rainfall conditions at University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi. Main objective of study was to screen the genotypes for drought tolerance. Data were recorded for drought related parameters and yield attributes. The data collected were analyzed to understand the genetic mechanisms of various traits related to drought. From these genotypes having sufficient genetic diversity, Inqlab-91, MAW-1, Saleem-2000 and 2KC033 were screened out as drought tolerant parents on the basis of less yield reduction method, whereas the advanced lines 2495, 3C061, 3C062 and 3C066 were identified as drought susceptible parents among the material studied. The screened genotypes and breeding materials so generated may serve as raw material for the breeders to develop/evolve high yielding drought tolerant varieties of wheat for the rainfed areas.

Keywords: Screening, drought tolerance, medium and high rainfall, wheat